Utah 2013

This year's family trip to Utah was better emotionally than last, because we've got a year behind us in regards to my mom.  However, I still pictured her in her chair, in her house, waiting for us and that picture never came to fruition!  We drove past the house again, because I needed too and everything was fine until I saw "her" flowers.  The rest of the house has morphed into the owners home, except the hundreds of flowers and beautiful rose bush.  Once I saw them and acknowledged them, I spent a few minutes in the car with an angry cry!  Another bit of grieving to check off the list.  My anger was directed at myself for not being a better daughter.  Not telling her how much she meant to me enough.  Not telling her how much I was going to miss her.  I was angry at me.  A new experience for the books.

On a lighter note, we spent the first night in SLC and visited Temple Square and the Gateway and saw all the homeless people in a very "dead" and quiet downtown SLC on a Sunday night. Who knew a city could be that lifeless?!  It was a new experience for us.  Anyway, we had a great time together.

The rest of the week was spent with the Ravsten's in Cache Valley where we shopped, fished, hiked, visited USU and the kids played with their Clarkston friends.  It was a great week.

Saturday was a huge day for me.  I was in charge of the Romer family party!  Not by force, but by choice.  See, it was my mom's year to host the party and since she's passed, I was given the choice to take over or not.  I figured since all the aunties would one day pass, it was the cousins responsibility to take over, so I said I'd do it.  And, what a relief, Diana Harris volunteered to host the party at her home.

I was so nervous right before the party, but once we got there, it was perfection!   Diana's home and yard are magical.  The kids were so happy to be playing with their cousins.  Everyone was happy to meet Mr. T.  It was a long and beautiful day.  We missed Grandma Romer, my mom and Neil, but we acknowledged them and proceeded to have a joyful day together as a family.  I bought the meat and rolls and everyone else provided the rest.  I have a fabulous family.  So grateful for them and for the fact that for over 38 years, we've been having this party, that isn't a pain to attend!

We had to have a Lagoon Day and we did that Friday before the party with Karen.  Reggie and Sam joined us.  It was a great day.  We stayed there for eight hours and only left because there was no good food for dinner!  Ride after ride, after ride.  And a 4 kid to 5 adult ratio, what could be better?!  It was a great day and we thought of my mom a great deal.

So, here's the photo story.  Enjoy! PS...there are a lot more pictures with all four of my kids, but I can't post them.  So, sorry Lagoon and Karen!  Sorry silly cowboy hat picture! Sorry first time catching a fish picture.  But, you know, rules are rules.  Even though I may have broken some of them.  Oops. :)