Salt Lake Valley

When we finally arrived in Salt Lake City, we were thrilled.  The drive had been manageable.  My family was there to greet us.  We were glad to be done traveling for a while.  The kids immediately picked up right where they left off with their cousins, Amanda, Dillon, Spencer, & Bella.  It was fun to get to know the younger cousins again, who have grown up 2 years from when we last saw them.  Amanda is 9, Dillon is 8, Spencer is almost 5, and Bella is 3.  My mom's basement has been converted into a preschool, so it was decked out with activities for the kids to enjoy every moment we were there.  I enjoyed spending time with my parents, and my sisters too.  

We had a barbecue the first night.  Marcos, Melissa's husband did a chilean barbecue, the same we remember from when we used to live in Utah.  The kids played and played and played.  Everything from soccer, to sprinklers, to magnets, to buildings, to dress up, and everything in between.  We spent some time at the park with them and spent time at Melissa's new home just a few minutes up the road from my mom & dad's house.  Becky came also to visit, and it was so good to catch up with her.  She is doing so well, and seems so happy, it is so great to see her with confidence in her eyes.  She is so talented at her work and is doing such great service to the young girls that she leads and teaches.  She is doing so much good in the world with her efforts.  

We spent time with Lindsay, my old roommate, at Legacy Park in Salt Lake City.  Lindsay and her family recently moved back to Kaysville, UT while her husband Kris is going to nurse anesthetist school.  She has 2 darling daughters and a little 2 year old boy.  

We also spent time with the Glausers, Melissa & Steve.  They have 4 kids now, and it is so fun to catch up with them.  We always enjoyed spending time with them and could talk about all kinds of things we had in common.  

We also spent time with Johnny and Jamie and their 2 little blond boys in Cedar Hills across the street from our old house.  Johnny, Nate's best friend, hasn't changed much, and the two of them got to catch up quite a bit.  

One morning we went to temple square to see the temple and eat at the lion house.  We took the kids to the Church Office Building where we knew President Monson works.  We walked around the temple and in the visitors center.  There is such a neat spirit there.  The kids are 2 years older than when we were here last time, so they could understand more and enjoy the experience more.  

Salt Lake City is such a neat place.  We will never tire of visiting there.  So much to see and do, so many memories, and family of course.