The second week I got to visit with our Grandparents. My sweet Grandma Andersen is my Dad's mom. My mom, along with my Aunt and cousins, made this doll house for her after the 100th grandchild was born. The kids thought it was SO cool.
It's been about 18 years... so it's inside has been pretty gutted. I'm amazed that it still has this many furniture pieces.
After Grandma's, we got to visit with the Jacob family. I was lucky enough to see my sweet cousins who were in town. I loved talking to my cousins Joanna, Ramona, Jen and my Aunt Ladawn. My Uncle Jim and Ramona's husband were there as well. Plus all of their kids! They were going to be having a reunion that week. There is a strength, a faith, and an uplifting feeling in that family. I felt so inspired chatting with them. I needed that reminder of the power and influence of a mother. Strong faith is very influential.
The following day we went up Provo canyon to our usual spot.
We were missing daddy pretty badly by this point in our trip. But being surrounded by family was so worth it. My kids were able to strengthen relationships that I cherish.
After naps, we were able to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Great. We lived in their basement before we moved to Texas for a couple of months. Ice cream is a tradition ;)
I love the feeling of shade in Utah.
Katelyn would not go down the slide unless Grandpa helped her. Haha.
This swing is genius. It's a tetherball.
Back at Grandma Jana's the next day, my mom made play-dough.
I was able to run some errands during their naps, while Troy and Grandma played games. They also got into the sticker collection my mom as from the scrapbooking days and made cards for their friends back home.
That night we headed to Devin and Sarah's for some Wii playing and pizza. Troy had been asking to do that every since he knew about our trip to Utah. Devin had brought the Wii U in April when they visited. Troy definitely didn't forget.
Cute Sarah is a great horse for the littles. Tim grew up so much in just a few short months. He will be bigger than Katelyn before I know it. They are only 5 months apart, but Tim was born at 27 weeks.. so he's doing great at the size he is at. He is also such a smiley boy! It was so easy to get him to smile.
I can't wait for the memories these two will make as they get older :)
Saturday morning, we got to see Grandpa Allsop (Ben's dad) and Grandma Bev.
While they took Brayden car shopping, we went to the Lindon pool again.
Brittany and Katelyn. I think Katelyn grew a serious attachment to Brittany and Alit. She preferred them over me when we were together. Love it!
Everyone knows Troy adores his Grandma Allsop.
Liam was next to me when I took the picture.. so I thought, until I looked closer and saw that he is hanging off the side. I helped him get back out. He would have been fine, but he screams if he can't touch. He is pretty afraid of water, fast rides, and whatever he wants to be scared of at the moment. I'm guessing he will grow out of it. Hopefully.
Katelyn fell for Grandpa Allsop pretty quickly that night at the park. It was a precious few hours with them. So sweet to see them with their grandparents.
Brayden is on the furthest swing, then Troy, then Liam. Brittany is with Katelyn.
Brayden and Katelyn. Grandma and Grandpa Great are in the back with Grandpa Allsop.
Katelyn and Uncle Alit.
The Wii game that the boys like most was Super Mario (I don't know what it was actually called.) But they put on these socks to have "fireball and ice throwing power."
I don't have pictures from Sunday, so lame. We were fortunate enough to be in Utah when two of Ben's cousins came home from their missions. They are both in Layton and spoke 2 hours. I was so impressed by their talks. They made the gospel so simple and central to our lives. I loved the stories they shared and the faith that emanated from them. Powerful meetings.
I also loved seeing all of the Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Kaylene comes from a wonderful family and I wish we could have stayed and played games or something. So sad to miss the reunion next week. But we will always have the Merrill Christmas party to look forward to!
On Monday, we went to see my mom one last time before heading off to Jungle Jim's with my siblings. My mom can't be around too many people, since she is going through chemo still. She still came and looked through the window a little bit. It broke my heart. We will go again in December and she will be done with chemo!
Aunt Megan made this happen and it was a blast. I can't believe I've never been to this place. The perfect place to take little kids.
This ride went pretty fast. Katelyn was fine, but Liam started screaming. Troy went on it later with cousin Halli. They had the same love for the thrill.
Tim, Halli, Troy, Katelyn, and Liam.
Megan also bought tokens and played games with the kids. She scored major points with them! I wish things like this were not the reason my kids loved their Aunts and Uncles.. but it does help them remember them and put smiles on their faces. I think this place might have to be a tradition.
Left to Right: Liam, Halli, Megan, Troy, Katelyn
Troy is showing his prize from the tickets. A monster that jumps.
That night we headed back to Lindon and Brayden recommended we go get some famous strawberry shakes from Taco Amigo. Hahaha. The name is still funny to me. The shakes were really good.
The next day we went to Seven Peaks, Brittany, Alit and mom got work off to come. We had such a great time. Troy, especially. He went on all of the big rides with Brayden, Brittany and Alit. Mom helped me out with Katelyn and Liam. Liam was having a particularly bad day that day. He was unusually scared of everything and crying. When Troy came and joined us, he helped Liam not be as scared and the day got much better.
That night, mom and Brittany took my shopping for my birthday. Mom got me THE cutest clothes. I've never tried on so many clothes in one dressing room. I should have paid them as my private consultants. Brittany found the perfect pregnancy skirts for me. We also got really cute shirts and some pregnancy pants. To top it off, we got See's chocolates. The perfect outing!
We left early the next morning. We got all the way to Lubbock, about 14 1/2 hours. We were accidentally given the wrong key, but I was too tired to take care of it, not to mention the three kids with me I would have had to lug with me. So, we all slept in the same king bed. I wouldn't recommend it. Katelyn woke up with this face..
I was reminded of Devin telling me she looked like Dakota Fanning. I think she might have a future in the movies.
We were SO happy to see Daddy when we got home. He was waiting for us outside, because he was tracking my phone. Haha. These kids have never been so happy.
I'm so grateful we went on the trip, but it was a long time to be away from Ben. It ended up being almost 4 weeks, because he had been on a work trip before we left. I think next time.. we'll try to work out him coming for some of the trip.
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