Oh Yeah

Can we all just agree that summer life is THE best life? The complete freedom to swim, ride bikes, play at the park, go to the beach, build a fort, or stay up late for a movie night, whenever you want??!!! And I mean, HOLY FRUIT----strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, tomatoes, mangoes, peaches and nectarines for every meal? I'm just going to come out and say it....This is heaven.

The Del Mar Fair

 We kicked off the summer season with a trip to Utah- for two really important reasons. First, my reeeeeally talented brother, future Broadway star, and newest member of the Music Dance Theater Program at BYU, was performing in a show this summer that I just had to see. And second, our favorite people on the planet were baptizing their little girl, Payton, and she needed a hair stylist.
----Just kidding, the hair styling was just an added bonus!

Anyway, we did that thing we always do, which is load up our kids and drive really far because we love a lot of people who live far away.

Kyle's brother-in-law's family graciously allowed us to stay in their home while they were away for the weekend, so our kids had a whole beautiful yard with a trampoline and basketball court to play in all day, instead of a dinky hotel room. We were so grateful!

Henry at Megleby's for all-you-can-eat french toast :)

First, we had dinner with my college roommate and childhood friend, Hanna, and her adorable girls! Then, we spent the day in Farr West, playing horses and play-dough with my mom's wonderful siblings and their kids. We love them so much! On our way back to the valley, we stopped at Temple Square for dinner and sight-seeing with the Adams.

Kyle was most excited about taking our kids to BYU's campus...something about brainwashing them into thinking it's the best school on the earth or something? Anyway, we had the whole BYU thing planned out perfectly, except for that minor detail involving our almost-two-year-old-twins, who weren't so good at sitting quietly in the stroller while we reminisced. Somehow, we still managed to take a few really cute pictures, saw a new football recruit that Kyle is super excited about in the Tanner Building, and even locked ourselves and all four kids on a balcony overlooking the practice field. All that, PLUS a verbal commitment from our five-year-old that she'll go there someday? Roaring success.

Our final day was Payton's baptism/Noah's show day. We woke up really early to get all the kids looking their best, and drove to a beautiful chapel in Saratoga Springs. To be there with the Adams family for such a big day was the sweetest thing... I don't know how we got so lucky, but there is just nothing like the bond our families share!

We had a few hours to spare while the twins napped, so we played catch-up up with Kyle's friend Cody and his family, while the other kids ate otter pops in the backyard. Then, Marty and Michelle, my mom's best friends and my "adoptive" parents (whom I have loved my whole life) came over to see us. Every time we see them, they are these beacons of wisdom and spiritual insight. I am in awe of their faith and ability to see the details of life in an eternal perspective. They are the best people!

Then, it was the crowning jewel of our Utah vacation: Noah as Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. You can choose to believe me, or think that I'm just the biased sister of an aspiring actor, but Noah has IT---The "IT" that makes you only look at him whenever he graces the stage. He has it all- the acting, the singing, the dancing, the presence...He had me laughing and crying and finally giving a standing ovation at his amazing portrayal of Joseph's favorite brother. If you want to see exactly what I mean, watch him in Hale Center Theater's AIDA this fall! You're welcome.

On our long drive home, Kyle and I agreed that this was the best family vacation we have ever taken. Was it the company? Definitely. The beautiful home we stayed in? For sure. The fact that the twins are now slightly more obedient and therefore increasingly more manageable? Oh yeah.