FUN FUN FUN out WEST!

There are definitely pros and cons to going on vacation for 2 weeks RIGHT before moving to China....the pros...I had plenty of fun times and memories were made with family right before leaving for a year, and I hardly stressed at all while we were there... Con is facing the packing the day after I got back and having the movers show up at your door step the following day, which then led to a minor anxiety attack/breakdown (Matt might not agree that it was minor...he might say MAJOR breakdown). Needless to say it was worth EVERY minute of it! Our trip to Utah/Idaho was TONS of fun!!!!! Here's the breakdown of our agenda and the pictures that follow pretty much tell the story:

Sunday: Got to Utah and got to go to church with my parents.

Monday: Had to work on China paperwork/Visa stuff etc.

Tuesday-Friday: headed with my family to Wolf Creek Lodge and had a WONDERFUL family reunion. We swam, hiked, had a mini Olympics (thanks to my awesome brother Scott and his family for planning that!), had "Made in China" night (thanks to my awesome sister Kim), watched the kids dance, dance, and dance some more. Just had FUN and enjoyed each other's company. We missed having my brother in law Morgan there and my nephew Danny that is on his mission. We were sure to make him a part of things and the kids painted a sign in his honor. I was in awe of my cute nieces and nephews and the cute way they played with my kids. My kids idolize them and enjoyed every minute! What an amazing family I have!

Friday: We headed to Logan, UT to Matt's sister Julie's house. They had rented a waterslide and it was so fun to see the kids reconnecting after not seeing each other for so long. They had a blast on the slide, the tramp, the sand pile, the swing set, the play house, and eating brownies and rice crispy treats galore. It was a beautiful day and it was so relaxing to sit and visit. Matt's cousin Chrystal and her husband Chris stopped by and so did his aunt Christie. Also his Grandma Johnson was there. It was so great to see her because she was recently in the hospital and so it was refreshing to see her on the mend. What a wonderful day. We were sad we had to skip out early to go to Matt's mission reunion. But thank goodness we did because it was an amazing experience! It was my first time meeting his mission president and it was amazing to meet old companions and missionaries he had served around. I know Matt was such an amazing missionary just by the man he is today, but it was such a joy to have SO MANY old missionaries come up to me and say over and over again just how amazing he was. They said he was one of the great leaders who many looked up to. I got so emotional each and every time they would tell me of the great stories. I am so grateful to have such a stalwart man!

Saturday: We got to meet up with my family again and go to Cherry Hill Water Park! Talk about a blast! Need I say more! :) And then we ended the night in my sister Heidi's amazing backyard for a movie on the big screen and smores. FUN!

Sunday: We went to Park Valley for the baby blessing of Matt's cousin Bill's new baby boy William! This is a BIG DEAL! This is Bill's FIRST boy and the one to probably run the ranch someday...how exciting that we happened to be in town for the blessing. It is so amazing to be in Park Valley. You feel so honored to even be there and be a part of the community. It just feels as though you are part of a rich heritage and it makes you grateful to be in the family! It was the perfect opportunity to visit with Matt's grandparents. His Grandma has not been doing well and so we were so anxious to see her and spend time with her. What a neat day. That night we stopped by Matt's aunt Sheri's house and it was an instant party! His other aunt, Christie and her family came too and soon we were barbequing, eating smores, the kids were playing putt putt, Gavin was dancing his heart out in the back of Matt's cousin Hunter's truck, and then there were fireworks. What more could you ask for???? Oh and we got to meet Nate's cute fiancé Shelby.

Monday: It was back to my family for the annual 4th of July celebration at my aunt Lori and John's house. This year was record breaking...I think we had 47 people there! If my Grandma and Grandpa Searle could see us they would be so proud (I'm sure they were looking down and smiling!) My cousin Jennifer just adopted a new baby girl, Paisley, and my cousin Chris and Kim had a new baby, Amelia. There was swimming, volleyball, homemade ice cream, a gift exchange (this is how we celebrate my Grandpa Searle's birthday), and tons of visiting and just as much eating. What a blast! That night we were so tired we just did fireworks at my mom's house. Matt surprised us with a GRANDE FINALE firework that was one of those awesome aerial ones! And you can't have the 4th of July without sparklers of course. And I am happy to report we were burn free this year :)

Tuesday: We headed to Blackfoot to spend time with Matt's parents and sisters and their kids. Matt's parents had purchased a little pool that kept the kids entertained for HOURS! We had GREAT food (Loved the ribs!), the kids picked peas, and we had a great time chatting it up. We even got to see Matt's uncle Mike and his cute wife Meg...I love their story, they knew each other in High School I believe, and then they reconnected at OUR WEDDING! They tease that we are responsible for their marriage :) They came to take Grandma Johnson to help her with some of her new living arrangements at the retirement center, etc. What a great day. My kids would rather hang out at Grandma and Grandpa Rose's then go anywhere around town.

Wednesday: We got to go fishing! What a fun day. Luke and Grandpa Rose caught 4, and Emma and Grandpa Rose caught 1! The kids were SO excited! Gavin was a little disinterested, but I'm sure it will come with time. Luke even caught and reeled in the last one by himself. It was a beautiful 13" cutthroat trout. I think he walked a little taller after that. Then the kids got to shoot a pellet gun. Gavin had his eye a little too close to the scope, like right on it, and has quite the little black eye to prove it. He tells people that the gun "kicked" him.

Thursday: We got to go to Island Park for the night. We stayed in BEAUTIFUL cabins and had a wonderful time. We stayed at the Pond's lodge, which Matt's Great Great Grandparents once owned. Matt's dad had to go speak to the YW in their Stake at Girls Camp and so we took the opportunity to drive around and sight see. We went to Big Springs and saw fish and a muskrat swimming around. Then on our drive around Henry's Lake we saw 2 moose and an elk! Awe nature. It was so refreshing.

Friday: We got back to Matt's parents house and got to spend more time with his sisters Julie and Cindy and their kids. Julie & Stanton and Matt & I got to sneak away for a little "date". While the kids were all going down to bed we snuck out and went to Rupe's for burgers and ice cream. We had SUCH A BLAST laughing and talking! Stanton if you ever read this I still want to see that diving video!!!!!!!! I can't stop imaging it and I laugh to myself often :)

Saturday: The kids and I got to go to Matt's sister Cindy's kids track meet! My kids were so inspired that when we got home they were doing laps around Grandma and Grandpa's back yard :) Congrats Jordyn, Morgan, and Regan for your AWESOME meet! You guys are amazing! Matt got to go on a cattle drive with his dad. I love seeing the cowboy come out :)

Sunday: I woke up and noticed that Emma was not in her bed. This is actually a normal occurrence. She is usually the first one up and then starts her day with some sort of project. When I came upstairs to make sure she wasn't into mischief, I was pleasantly surprised and touched...she was sitting on the couch with Grandma Johnson reading to her! How sweet is that?! She will probably remember that moment (well I think it was more like 45 minutes), for the rest of her life, when Grandma Johnson spent that quality time with her. We then had a great Sabbath day at church with Matt's parents and then headed to Salt Lake for our last night with my family.

MONDAY: My poor mom had surgery on her knee. Talk about torture to leave town while your mom is suffering in a hospital bed! At least I got to see her after she got out of recovery for a little bit before my plane departed. I hope and pray she has a wonderful recovery and that she has no regrets that she went ahead with the surgery. I HATE seeing my mom in pain! I am glad my dad and sisters are there to take care of her.

Well that's it! It was an amazing trip and it was just what I needed to keep my mind occupied before this huge undertaking of moving to China. I am so grateful for all the family's support. NOT one of them told us we were crazy for going, they were all so excited for us and lifted us up and made us feel like we can do this no problem! I love you all and am so grateful for you!