How I Hate the Cold

I've determined that there is no way I am ever going to live in a region persistently plagued by cold weather...unless I get paid really, really well. We have been long overdue for a trip to Utah to see family and friends, and while it was wonderful to see these beautiful people, the ridiculously cold weather was just absurd. Nevertheless we were not deterred, and had a great time.

I had just come off the worst shift of my life, hands down the worst. So the plan was to sleep all day Tuesday, wake up at 6pm, and be on the road by 8pm. Well we had a few things working against us: 1. We have a well established precedent of never making it anywhere in a timely fashion, 2. Kids are like herding cats (I think you know what I mean), and 3. I assumed Kimberly had certain things in order, and she assumed I had certain things in order. And of course neither scenario was true.

Needless to say, we left at 11:59pm, and our delightful moods had become so encrusted with short tempers and harsh words, it was quite difficult to look at this 24 hour car trip in a positive light. I, being the eternal optimist that I am, almost canceled the trip 5 minutes into it, LOL. However, I have been blessed with a sweet, counterbalancing wife, who managed to soothe the situation, and our voyage began. When you start at the bottom, it can only get better.

In case anyone was wondering where the Holy Ghost goes to hang out and get a little rest, it's in New Mexico:




David and Heidi were so kind to allow us to invade their home at 1:30am on Thursday. We slept for a few hours and were up by 7:30am so we could meet up with Luke and Kristy at 8:30 for breakfast. So as not to break precedent, we showed up at 9:45. We love having such amazing family who still claim us despite our gross faults. It was a relatively quick breakfast because they had to catch a plane for a vacation of their own. Kenny and L loved playing with Emma and Reese, and only cried for 10 minutes following their departure.



That boy can't make a decent face in pictures any longer. Almost every picture we took, has him doing something silly.



We then made our way up to Ogden where we hung out with Randy and Karen for a short stent. It was at this point that I realized something about my son. He has reached the age where every time the camera comes out, he instinctively makes a silly face. He used to give me such a sweet smile at first, but now...



Our last scheduled stop was the whole reason we came to Utah. To see Grandma! We had a bit of a family reunion in Salt Lake City with David, Heidi, Janelle, Grandma, and my family. We were missing Kay though, and hope that we can get everyone next time we are up there. It is wonderfully refreshing to be related to someone who is 90+ years old, with her mental faculties intact, and cruising around unassisted (Robbie Rogers, I know I framed the picture incorrectly... I don't want to talk about it :-/).

I learned, last minute, that one of my great friends moved within 10 minutes of Grandma, so we made a quick jaunt over to see Adam Howsley and his family. Kenny found a quick new friend in Jackson, and of course cried a lot when we had to leave.

And what is a visit with a long time friend without a trip down memory lane...Very unabashedly, I was excited to receive a small gift by way of Battle Beasts and StarCom! Hahahahaha, I love the 80's and early 90's. Now my kids can enjoy a piece of my past. Thank you Adam.


And of course, no trip is complete without our traditional "Measuring Stick" picture with my little brother.