We're Back.....

...from our 3 week vacation to Utah. The kids and I went out a few days before Rob and came home a week and a half after he did. I flew alone with both kids and surprisingly it wasn't that bad! Rob came out for about 9 days and spent the majority of that time figuring out what he is going to do for the rest of his life. We thought that decision was already made when he decided to go into orthodontics, but that was just the beginning. Rob drove around to several office buildings to view potential office spaces to start up his orthodontic practice. Yes that is right, the decision has been made that we are heading back to the motherland (as Rob likes to call Salt Lake) and Rob is starting up a practice. Kind of exciting, kind of scary! So if you know anyone who is in need of braces, send them Rob's way!

Our first weekend in Utah we spent in St George, southwestern Utah. It was Rob's Grandpa's 85th birthday and so a surprise party was on the agenda. His Grandpa has 4 children and 2 live out of the state and all 4 of them made it to the party! Grandpa T. was sure surprised! Rob's cousin Tiffany who lives in the northwest and has a medical condition that makes it hard for her to travel also made it! It was a lot of fun to see everyone and spend this special day with Grandpa T. It was nice to get a picture of our family with Rob's dad and grandpa.The 4 generation pictureGrandpa T with his 4 children. Grandpa's birthday is on St Patrick's Day, thus the green garb.Grandpa T with his grandchildren who were present (9 weren't able to make it). We missed Rob's sister, Stephanie and her family. Steph had a baby boy, James, the day before we left for St George.Grandpa T's great-grandchildren (note Evan in the back being discretely held up by Rob)Rob's aunt Narda picked up a bunch of St Paddy's Day hats and garters since Grandpa's birthday is on St Patrick's Day. Landon and Evan had a blast flinging the garters!Just practicing for his wedding in 25 years!While in St George we enjoyed the warm weather, it was in the 60's which was a heat wave for us coming from Minnesota's 20's. Rob golfed twice with his dad, brother, and grandpa. We swam (though it was a bit cold) or should I say Rob and Evan swam and I waded up to my knees.It must have been cool if even Spiderman (aka Landon) was shivering outside the pool.Corinne insisted that she needed 3 noodles to keep her afloat! As you can see she is such a heavy-weight. I bet she weighs maybe 40 pounds! We went on walks, ate, played at Fiesta Fun, shopped, hung out at the hotel on the luggage rack (we obviously don't get out much),and of course ate some more. Wherever Grandma Brenda is you know there are treats nearby. Evan ate so many Cadbury mini-eggs that we should have bought stock in them. My favorite was our first night there we were getting ready for bed and Rob gets a phone call from his parents saying to come to their hotel room for cake and ice cream. No this is not left-over cake from Grandpa's party. This is the night prior to the party! Vardell wanted some German Chocolate Cake so they went and bought a whole cake and two kinds of ice cream!! It was classic!Jenny anxiously awaiting for her cake and ice cream.I can't believe Lily slept through the cake and ice cream event because Evan just couldn't wait for his own huge dessert bowl!St George was a nice vacation before Rob spent the next week hammering out business deals. Adios St George! We hope to feel your sunshine again very soon!

The rest of our vacation was spent visiting family and friends, going to the Children's Museum 3 times - once with my sister Stephanie, once with my mom, and once with my friend since I was 10-years-old, Cari and her kids Milo & Ellie. Evan and Milo must have both gotten the "make a disgusted/scared face" memo!

Evan now realizing the fun of sitting pretty on the horse.

The oddest thing happened to Cari and I. After playing awhile in the Children's Museum we went to the food court for lunch. Of course the boys wanted McDonald's so Cari orders for both of us, has her money out to pay and the employees start yelling "get back" and the fryer for the fries is spitting out grease everywhere! We back up from the counter and after a few minutes things calm down but they had to close for awhile so needless to say, the boys didn't get their Happy Meals.

While in Utah you have to eat at least 3 times at Cafe Rio which I believe we did! We love that place! There is a new one by my parents' house that wasn't crowded at all. We were able to walk right up, order and have our food in a few minutes. For those of you who have waited in 30 minute lines at the Rio know that no wait is heavenly.

Evan very badly wanted to play in the snow. Well this is what was left of the snow. Nice & dirty. Evan obviously didn't care. Evan drove this truck on the snow for the majority of a morning.

Wheeler Farm was having an Easter egg hunt the Saturday before Easter and we told Evan the night before that we were going to go to the farm. Well we had a late night and slept in so we missed the egg hunt. But of course Evan reminded Rob that we were going to the farm so the good dad Rob is, he took Evan to Wheeler Farm to see the animals. Evan loved it! He thought the sheep were pretty cool to look at until they "baaa-ed" really loud and it scared him!

Rob checked out an office in Logan so the kids and I went along for the ride. Too bad that the office won't work out because it is upstairs from the coolest toy store I have ever seen. Evan and I spent over an hour in it while Rob checked things out. While in Logan we visited Rob's brother Aaron and his wife Teresa. The kids played and Evan loved being with his cousins and envied their yard. We ate dinner with them and Evan had his first taste of Kool-Aid. As you can tell by this picture, both Landon and Evan very much enjoyed the Kool-Aid! (note their Kool-Aid mustaches at the corners of their mouths!)

While visiting Grandma Barb and Grandpa Karl's house, Evan decided that the bucket which holds the toys had a much better use and donned it as a hat!

The last night the kids and I were in Utah we went up to Park City with my mom and siblings and ate at a really good pizza place. My brother snapped this picture of Evan being goofy!The last week we were in town Evan had a stomach bug. He was vomiting and had diarrhea. Not much fun. We had a playdate arranged with some of my friends and seriously the minute we were suppose to walk out the door Evan vomited all over my mom's couch. Well at least it wasn't my friend Kelley's couch!! Needless to say, we cancelled our playdate and stayed home for the next few days.

If you are still reading this then I am impressed! I realize it is quite long since I am the one typing it and my eyes are burning from looking at the computer. We had a great time in Utah and are excited to be moving back in 2 1/2 months!