Good times in Utah

Eight hours after we got home from our trip to Canada, Travis helped me load the kids and the car and I drove us all to Utah. We had to be there by a certain time on Sunday night so that Kedzie, Ethan and Zac could go to the first ever youth fireside with our Prophet, President Nelson. 

We made it on time to pick up Zac and meet up with McCord. The kids were on the 4th row of this miraculous and special meeting. I hope they will remember something about it forever. Merle was sweet enough to hook us up with the tickets. Lucky youth!

On Monday, I got to drop off the littles at day one of soccer camp. They had four days, three hours each day of a marvelous camp. Right under the Y. Now, I have kids that say they are going to BYU. It's all my fault. I'll take full responsibility. I think Kedzie is still planning on going to the right school, USU. She is my favorite girl after all! 

I then went and dropped Ethan off for his first four day, sleep away experience. He stayed in a dorm with a roommate and everything. Around 10:30 every night, he'd text and/or call me to check in and tell me about his day. He ate more candy and soda than I can even imagine and came back with great memories. His team also won their division playoffs! 

Every day, after soccer, we'd go get some lunch and then find something to do.  One day, we found a pool in Provo, went swimming and then everyone took a mini nap. We spent each night in the basement of Grandma Wood's home. She's in an assisted living facility, so we only saw her once, but we were grateful to have some place cool to go watch movies and sleep. 

The boys loved their coach and the first day Alex was made MVP for his team. Super proud of the hard work they put into their camp experience. 

During camp one day, Kedzie and I went to the Provo City Center Temple to do baptisms. It was a special experience. Filled with youth who were there to serve others. That temple is beautiful and currently Kedzie's favorite! 

We may have gone to Swig on a regular basis. Mostly for the drinks, but we had to try the cookies. They were yummy. 

This was a special visit with Grandma Wood. (Our last time seeing her alive). So glad we stopped by to say hello. She is so sweet and kind and loving. It was a fun visit. Her apartment was adorable and she seemed so happy. We spent the evening with Grandma Kathy, Reggie and Aunt Kris. 

We also got to see Lindsay and Miles new apartment! 

Toward the end of the week, we sent Kedzie to Diana and Gary's to play for a few days. She loves having individual, special time and the Harris's seemed to love having her there. She is a farm girl at heart. 

Camp, finally finished, we ended with a swig and then headed to the wrap up of Ethan's camp.

He was there the same week as Zac which was fun for them both. 

Ethan's team won their age group division!

And, he met TJ Haws, a super basketball player and the husband of my past young women Lauren, a member of the BYU basketball team. 

We grabbed some ice cream, saw where Ethan shopped, purchased some paraphernalia and headed north. 

We stopped for a few minutes to see our friend Karen at work at Sunset Jr. High...so my kids got to see where I went to middle school! And I had some memories blast there way through my brain. 

We ended up in Elwood at Merle's house where we slept and then partied the next day with our family at the Romer Family Party.  It is always a special day. 

My kids love knowing that they have cousins and extended family.  They love connecting with them and they always remember the parties. Kedzie missed girls camp this year to come to the party. This year, Merle had someone do a candy drop in the field near the house. This is something Grandpa Romer used to do for her daughters! It was a really fun experience and a wonderful day spent with extended family. 

It's always hard for me to go to Utah because my mom's not there. But, we manage to make it there and almost always have a great time. This year was especially great because it was filled with new and exciting adventures. After the party we headed to Clarkston for a few days and then headed home. It was a great week in Utah.