UTAH TRIP

At the end of November we were fortunate enough to spend 2 weeks in Utah!!  The kids were so excited.  Seriously they kept talking about EVERYONE who lives in Utah, and when the majority of your family lives there it really does seem like EVERYONE!
Grammy and Pa came to the airport to pick us up - since we were stealing Grammy's car for the ENTIRE 2 weeks we let them take us to  lunch. :)

And the vacation of injuries started there...Luke decided to run right into the side of a table.  Unfortunately for him the table didn't move too much.  Oh well, what's a little bump, right?!
The next few days were spent with the Smiths - Nana, Grandpa, Auntie Tina, and UNC.  We thought about going to the zoo, but quickly changed our minds when we saw the forecast of COLD!  So we went to the NEW Living Planet Aquarium!  It was pretty cool.  Thanks Nana for spoiling us!

Silly Auntie Tina!

We also spent some time at Unc and Auntie Tina's house...the kids had to see Trout and Maddie!

We made plans in advance to catch  up with so many of our friends that we don't get to see too often.  The Nagelis were of course in our itinerary!!  We spent the morning with Jenny and the crew, Shawn was able to meet up with us for lunch - yay for Chick Fil-A. That afternoon we decided to venture out and go swimming at the new rec center in Herriman (I seriously wish the East Coast had similar rec centers with AWESOME indoor pools)!  It was here where injury #2 occurred, but sadly this one took us right to the Insta-Care for stitches on little Mika's chin.  She was a trooper, didn't even flinch!

That evening we left all 3 with Unc and Auntie Tina (good practice for them as they are expecting a little girl due in April) and enjoyed some adult time with Jenny and Shawn.  Did I mention we LOVE spending time with our friends?!  It makes me sad that we live so far away, but maybe one day...right?

We were also able to spend some time with the Hirasunas.  But being the slacker that I am I didn't even take ONE picture.  Soni even took us on a tour of her NEW house.  I have started a list of EVERYTHING that I need when I finally get my home.;))

Next on the list was to spend time with the Call Family.  The kids were so excited (not sure they ever truly forgave us for visiting the Calls without them)!  

These two boys are like two peas in a pod...literally!

One morning Katie and I stole away for some much needed 'girl time' and enjoyed a relaxing time getting pedicures!  These are some pics of what the boys/kids were doing

Taija wanted to know when we could get a pony?!

While we were in Utah Justin's Grandma - Mama - came to visit too!  We were so amazed that she was willing to make the visit.  The kids remembered her from before - Luke always refers to her as my Mama.  It is so cute!  One morning while the big kids were outside playing Mama decided to play soccer with Mika.  Mind you this lady is 87 years old - I was so worried she was going to trip over something!!  Thank you Mama for the memories!

The rest of the trip I was NOT so good at taking pics - SORRY!  Here are a few random pics taken with Pa.  One day we ventured North to visit Kim and Larry and their kiddos.  

We were also able to be a part of Miss Zoey Anne Holdeman's Blessing Day.  The kids LOVE their baby cousin!

We loved being part of family activities and look forward to when we can go back to Utah and once again catch up with ALL of our family and friends!

Here are some of pics we took with ALL of the cousins...and Pa!  And Grammy!

Don't mind Taija's black eye...injury #3 was sustained jumping on Pa's couch right into the back of Luke's head.  Needless to say Luke walked away without a scratch.  Taija not so much.  The worst part was the next day she fell off one of Grammy's stools and the stool fell backward onto her left cheekbone.  That left a beautiful black mark as well.  After 2 weeks away from school we sent her back with 2 BIG black eyes - she was so excited to tell us about everyone who asked about it.  I was just waiting to get a phone call from DCFS!