To Utah and Back

London's Preschool Thanksgiving Program

"I can't believe we're going to Utah for the first time!"

"Honey, you were born in Utah."

"Hahaha, OH! I don't remember that!"

It's been almost two years since we left Utah, and we hadn't returned to see friends or family since. And so this Thanksgiving, it was time to journey back to see all those Utahns we love so dearly. 

Let me preface this by saying, I am by no means an expert at traveling great distances in a car with 4 children under 4. That being said, these are my recommendations:

Step 1) Don't do it. 

Your mental state matters more than saving a few hundred dollars, I promise. Put your children on an airplane. You're welcome. 

If you are stubborn, and have already made up your mind that you are driving, first of all, welcome to the club, and secondly, continue to Step 2.

Step 2) Limit your stoppage time.

If you're nursing, pump while your spouse drives, and that way, you only have to stop to change your twin's outfits six times--- and of course, their diapers. Dine on boxes of smuckers uncrustables, dark chocolate coconut kashi bars, apples, and two dozen McDonalds fruit and yogurt parfaits.

Step 3) Entertainment

Watch The Book of Life, on repeat, for the entire 19 hours. When you think you can't listen to the movie for another second, a Junie B. Jones audiobook collection should do the trick. If you follow this regiment to the T, I guarantee your four-year-old will only ask "Are we there yet?" 84 times. 

A typical stop. Notice all the diapers and the 

children calling me from the back seat.

19 homemade pies. 

All 26 of us stayed at my Aunt Jill's house. My mom, aunt, sisters, and I spent Thanksgiving baking from my grandmother's recipe book. There is NO activity on this earth I enjoy more. It's why Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year! Then friends who are really more like family stopped by to catch up, and meet the twins, and Taryn's new husband, OJ. The girls played with my little cousins, London went sledding for the first time, and the men watched more football than any of their wives would normally approve of.

Cambria REALLY wanted to kiss Elle good-bye...

Isn't it funny-- the absolutely ridiculous things we do, in order to spend time with the people we love? Will Elle remember how happy she was, making pretend birthday cakes with my Aunt Jill? Will London remember her secret handshake with little Emma? At some point, all the effort we put in to ensure our children develop these very special relationships must pay off. My prayer is that each of my children will grow up with that same beyond unconditional, nearly irrational, love for their family, that led us to Utah and back this Thanksgiving.