This was not a typical weekend in Salt Lake. This was almost 2 weeks! Randy and I had Youth Conference planned in Salt Lake. My cousin Buffy Andrews passed away unexpectedly so I left early so I could go to the funeral.
The first thing on our Salt Lake agenda was to check go rock climbing with Steven. We were a bit early so we went to Neptune Park in Saratoga Springs.
This park was amazing. If it wasn't so dang hot we would have stayed a lot longer.
Once we met up with Steven he gave us climbing 101 as we walked up the trail. H insisted on riding on Steven's shoulders. Steven was a good sport about it.
Brad went first and climbed like a monkey. I couldn't believe how fast he got up the rock.
At one point I told him to slow down so I could get a decent picture.
He said repelling was his favorite part.
Claire went next and she was just as good. It was so fun to watch them.
Steven let me be the belayer for Claire so I could get the hang of it so Steven could have a turn. I was a nervous wreck!! Look how high up there she is. This picture does not show how high up the top was. It does now justice.
Steven was up next and I had white knuckles the whole time. His safety was in my hands and I had never done it before.
I was up next. I said I did't want to do it but Steven pushed me right out of my comfort zone and made me. It took me a while to find my footings. I wanted to make sure of every step.
The top was terrifying. I couldn't bring myself to fall backwards off that stupid rock!!! The struggle was real!! It took me a good 20 minutes to finally do it. It is so unnatural to hang backwards off a rock. I knew I was safe but I couldn't turn off that part of my brain.
I would sit down into the harness then stand right back up. I was shaking like a leaf and every muscle ached from holding on so tight.
I finally forced myself to get off that stinking rock!!! I was so happy to be on safe ground again.
I was happy that I did it. I probably wont ever do it again but it's something I can cross off my bucket list. You can do anything at least once. My kids loved it and can't wait to go again.
We grabbed some pizza on the way home. It was late so Steven let us spend the night at his house. Kari was gone for the weekend so Steven got to play host.
The next morning Steven made us Cream of Wheat. Mmmmm... one of my childhood favorites.
The funeral that morning was wonderful. The service was so touching. There was not a dry eye in the whole meeting. It was also funny and light just like Buffy. She will be sorely missed.
At the graveside they let all the kids release balloons. It was so sweet to see all the kids so quiet as they watched the balloons float away.
We love you Buffy and will miss your magnetic, sarcastic, and very sweet spirit. Heaven gained an angel.
At the luncheon Mike and Jayne received a gift from our family. Steven took a beautiful picture and had it printed for them. They were just sobbing. It was so heartbreaking. Their message to everyone all day was be kind to your family. You never know if it is going to be your last day with them.
I can't imagine how devastating it would be to loose a child or sister.
One of the evenings we went to Murray Park.
We bought KFC and ate on blankets. We used to do this all the time as kids. It brought back some fun memories.
Then the kids rolled down this huge hill over and over and over again. Even Steven did it with them.
The next day we went to Tori's baby shower at her mom's house in Eagle Mountain. Claire was attached to Cassie's hip. They read at least 20 books together. The baby shower was really nice and she had a huge turnout.
We did a Backyard BBQ with everyone.
Grandpa Moose smoked some amazing salmon.
The kids got in their swimsuits to get some relief form the insane heat that week. It was unusually hot.
Steven and Aaron rigged a water slide for the kids.
Steven and Aaron couldn't stand it anymore and got talked into joining the kids.
I love all these kiddo's
Then a huge huge water fight broke out so the camera got put away. Steven and Aaron somehow dragged Eric into the water. Grandma and I even ended up in the pool.
Somehow Steven ended up with a swim diaper on his head while we played games that night.
The next morning Grandma had to work so I took the kids to the zoo for the day.
Their favorite part was this leopard. he paced back and forth in front of them for a good 15 minutes. The kids were so entertained.
The next day I left my kids with Grandma and Grandpa and met Randy in Salt Lake to have Youth Conference. The theme was "Oh ye that Embark" We stayed at the U of U dorms.
This was the group Randy and I had. It was so fun getting to know them. They were so great and we had no drama like a lot of the other groups.
We visited temple square, the capitol.
They each had their own individual sign and would use it in pictures. They were so cute.
Messing around waiting for Meet the Mormons movie to start.
At the end of the conference we toured this is the place park.
That night we had a dance with all the youth. We got pretty silly. All the leaders let their hair down and joined in dancing with the youth. Even Todd danced! We were pretty uninhibited. Someone got video of it and it was all over the ward when we got home. It was such a good bonding experience with the kids in our ward. They are so great!
After the conference I stayed in Salt Lake and Randy went back to work.
We caught up with Lisa's kids and saw a movie.
Went to traditional Su Casa for a lunch.
On Sunday night we went to Bryant and Allison's house for Father's Day. Corbin's face is my favorite in this picture. Eric and Nan were there too but left early and missed the pictures.
I went to the mall with my mom on one of the days and they had these tiny little toilets for kids. He loved it and still talks about it. Every time we go to Salt Lake now he asks if we are going to that place with the tiny toilets.
The cousins were all outside playing while the adults visited inside. AZ came in looking like this.....Oh boy. The kids had made her an outfit with the leaves and flowers off the vines.
The girls had a sleepover that night. Grandma suprised them the next morning with tickets to see
The Little Mermaid at HCT. She even got them these cute shirts with their names.
Grandma and her girls.
The set was amazing. The show was darling.
After the show we went to Iggies for lunch.
Cute little princesses.
Steven and Kari met up with us. This was the first time we got to meet Logan.
It took him 5 seconds to win all our hearts. We sure love this cute little stinker!!!
After lunch we packed up and headed home. The kids missed their daddy and couldn't wait to see him. Busy busy busy couple of weeks.
