Our Trip To Utah...

Well, we had a fun trip to Utah, visiting all our families (we really wish we were able to visit several friends that live in the area too, but didn't have enough time). We flew in on Saturday, and drove to Brigham City, where we got together with all of Neil's family, for a big family picture and dinner. On Sunday, we spent the day in Logan, with Grandma & Grandpa Willie. The kids painted crafts and played in the backyard, and we had a little barbeque.

Then we headed to Bear Lake the next day with all the Checketts family. We played on the beach and ate lunch at LaBeau's (kind of their tradition there at Bear Lake). We were all spread out between 2 condos and a KOA campsite. The cousins had so much fun together, playing in the sand and on the boat and watching videos at the condo in the evenings.

Then on Wed. morning, we headed back to Salt Lake for a couple of days, to get together with my brother and his wife & 2 girls, and my Dad & Step-mom & sister and her son (who drove in from California to get together with us). We were really excited to see them, since it had been over 4 years since we saw them last. We went to a water park, and to a little petting zoo/farm, played in their back yard, and grandma painted all the girls toenails. It was fun to see them all again.

After that, we stopped to see the Willies one more time, and then we headed back to Bear Lake once again for another few days. PJ & Tessa both tried waterskiing again, and everyone had a blast in the tube behind Grandpa's boat, and playing in the water and sand and sun. It was a fun time.

Leaving is always a little bitter-sweet, because we have fun with the family, but we are always glad to get back home to our own beds, toys, yard, etc. And we LOVE all the beautiful green trees and plants here in Bentonville. The worst part about leaving was when Uncle Spencer left on Sunday night, and Jonah started crying and asked him if he could come to see us at Halloween, and then again, when we left early Tues. morning, and Jonah and Clay were so sad to leave Grandpa. We would love to be closer to family, but we'll have to just be happy with the visits for now.

Now we are starting to get into the "getting ready for school" mode. We are heading to the store today to buy school supplies and new clothes. I still can't believe school is starting in just 3 weeks! I'm really going to miss having my little buddy, Jonah at home with me, but he's excited and will do great. He's a smart little kid and very social. Our kids all really like school, and are excited to go back and see their friends and get back into the routine of things. PJ & Jonah will both be doing soccer also. And PJ will be taking pre-AP literacy and science. And PJ & Tessa will both still be doing piano lessons, as well as scouts and Activity days. And Tessa still LOVES her horseback riding lessons, and will continue with that as well. It may be a little crazy and hectic, but fun!