Provo in the Spring--April 2014

We had an awesome time in Utah.  I think it was the best visit ever!  It was definitely the one with the most surprises.

Flying down with Georgie was quite the experience.  His favorite things about the airplane: seeing the wing flaps, feeling the wheels go in and out, turning around and seeing way way down, watching our suitcases go by on the little baggage train, going to the bathroom (multiple times in the 1 hour flight), and finding excuses to latch and unlatch his seatbelt.  He was scared of the clouds.  I was scared he would hit the "help" button, which he came close to doing several times.  He was excited that we were flying over Logan's house (technically we probably didn't), and waved enthusiastically. He was sure Logan saw him, and asked him about it later.  After the three hour drive to Great Falls and the flight, we were sure happy to see Nana and Grandpa waiting for us.  They drove us home and we were met by my wonderful grandparents.  Grandpa Halvorsen and Granny and Grandpa Great were waiting for us when we got home and we were spoiled to have them all to ourselves for a little while.  George immediately took advantage of all the attention--5 grandparents to entertain--and got right to work being cute and demanding.

George enjoyed that first week with just him and I as much as I did I think!  He had freedom from the brothers and got lots of attention from all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  The night we got there, Ryan and Nicki came with their family, Abi and Brian came with theirs, and later that night Trent and Grey flew in too.  All were there for Lucy's grand amazing recital.  We had fun surprising her (she didn't know her brothers would all be there) and she pulled off a truly remarkable performance.  I was so proud to know her!  Her playing is so spiritual and insightful.  The spirit was really strong at her recital.  It was fun to party and visit with everyone that night.  We belong to a great group of extendeds.  I guess I felt really grateful to be able to spend so much time with Granny and Grandpa and Grandpa H.  I got to drive them each to the airport and spend some nice time chatting with them.  I felt very loved and special as I always do with them and it was just what I needed.  Grandparents are very special!

I enjoyed using Mom's kitchen and visiting with her.  I love to hear her teach piano.  I also love to watch Mom and Dad with George.  Dad left on a trip to England but came back in time for the festivities later on.

2010-ers reunion.  We missed Hallie!

I got to do baptisms for the dead with Lucy--doing names that Aunt Marilyn researched, and that was really cool.  Lucy is a regular there at the temple--they all know her!  She knows the ropes, I tell ya!  Abi invited George and I to come up to her beautiful new home and hang out for a couple of days.  We really enjoyed that.  It was relaxing and refreshing to go "back in time" to that time of life but with just one kid (something I never really had) and experience the simple and wonderful schedule of eat, sleep, play.  Logan and George are great little buddies, and Abi and I even fit in some exercise and some late night viewings of Lark Rise.  Sweet!  Oh, and we watched Despicable Me 2 with the kids one afternoon.  I loved being in Abi's domain and seeing what a great mom she is.  I sure have amazing sisters!

Prepared for a massive watergun fight.  Love the goggles, don't you?

The boys got to participate in Nana's annual Easter Hymn recital.  They each prepared a hymn.  Sounded so beautiful! I have to say, this is my favorite thing about them learning to play the piano.

We went to Thanksgiving Point with Abi and family.  We haven't been in quite a few years, so that was really fun.  Georgie loved it.

The dinosaur museum also had a really fun inventor exhibit.  The boys enjoyed experimenting with everything in the exhibit.

Owen and Tommy were pretty much fighting over Sadie the whole time.

Georgie really wanted to make a stegosaurus in the sand--forget all this erosion business.

Hike up to Bridal Veil Falls

Beautiful Provo River

the magical spot where I knew I would marry this handsome dude

George and Logan making "stew."

Provo River--the best river ever.  The boys enjoyed it as much as I used to as a kid!

We three sisters had to take time out for our girly night--pedicures are so much better with someone else to experience it with.  I'm on the far left.

James told the boys Zeus was going to die any day so they wanted some "last" pictures with him.  ;-)

(he's not dead yet)
I left Abi's and met Mom, Dad, and Lucy at temple square that Thursday night.  I was anticipating seeing James and the boys the next night, but they surprised me and came down a day early!  It was such a shock to see them jump out from behind a bush on temple square!  The boys and James had some great bonding time while George and I were away, and he said they traveled really really well.  Blessing!  We got to watch a new movie the Church has put out about 6 different LDS people throughout the world.  Grandpa was featured in it.  It is a remarkable movie--very moving and also funny in parts.  I feel blessed that we were able to see it.

The boys enjoyed the next while in Provo.  We celebrated Easter--watched a lot of the video clips about Christ on Mormon.org, went on some beautiful walks, had a massive easter egg hunt, enjoyed the blossoms and wildlife, ran through sprinklers, went to the creamery and BYU bookstore, hit Thanksgiving point for the imax and dino museum, went to a BYU baseball game, did some shoe shopping, and did baptisms for the dead in 2 temples!  We got to hang out with some old friends, eat amazing food at Nana's, and take them to BYU graduation--way to go Lucy!!  Lucy, Abi and I snuck away one night and got pedicures--very luxurious and just so much better when you go together.  This was payment to each other for keeping our goals for the past 6 months. :-)

Easter egg artists

Stinkin Cute Sadie

James took the boys to a BYU baseball game.  They loved it and they really got into figuring out all the rules

Will and Ry really wanted to visit a lot of temples when we went to Utah.  We did baptisms in Provo with Gpa, Nana, and Lucy.  We got to do family names which was extra special.

This guy missed his Daddy!

James took the boys to the Mt. Timpanogos temple another morning.

Big Day for Aunt Lucy!  Congratulations Granulate!

When the trip ended, we loaded up in our suburban and packed Lucy in with us.  We loved seeing everyone and being in Provo.  It is surely a special place for all of us.