The Utah Visit - A Quiet Day

On Saturday (or maybe it was Friday night) after some previous confusion, I sat down with Joey to talk about the next week. We made plans to do Thanksgiving Point on Monday and This is the Place on Thursday. I knew that Joey was Ben's babysitter for the summer. I also knew that the car I'd rented didn't fit all the kids in it. I hoped that Anna would do stuff with us - Joey too, and that although Suzanne would be working lots, I'd still get to spend time with her children.

Sunday night rolls around and I'm informed by Matthew and Suzanne separately, that Joey is playing a baseball game in the morning, he'll be more than halfway to Thanksgiving Point, and he'll maybe be finished playing the ball game in the afternoon sometime. I was confused. And more than a little disappointed. Joey didn't talk to me. If he'd have talked to me I would have felt completely differently, but he just assumed that I would watch Ben, and that he was free and clear to do what he wanted.

On Monday no one wanted to do anything. It became apparent that the girls needed a rest day - that wasn't completely confirmed until about 2 in the afternoon, but I eventually let go of the idea of going to Thanksgiving Point which is in Lehi, which is a good 40 minutes away. I felt a little annoyed, but also not annoyed. The girls and I talked about going to Thanksgiving Point on Friday, on the way back down to St. George, as Kate really wanted to go there.

When Joey finally came home with a friend sometime around 2:30 - after we'd gone back and forth and back again about whether or not we were going to Thanksgiving Point, I asked him to have a little chat. We sat and chatted about communication - something he's been chatted about with before lol. He didn't get angry and neither did I. It was a good conversation! I love my sisters kids so much. I love their strong wills and their loving hearts! I'm grateful to the example that my sister has always been to me. And I'm grateful that we'll still go to This is the Place on Thursday and to Thanksgiving Point at some point!

More happy playing in the toy room.

My blog spot! Such a beautiful room full of so much light!

After Suzanne got home from work we went on a fun walk. We were in the back of Lagoon - the amusement park, walking along a creek that was very dry at this point.

We walked all the way to the Farmington Pond, and then back to the car. Not sure who was crazier, Rex or the two kids! 

The Utah Visit - Sunday - Miller Time

We went to church at 9 am - Suzanne has three units meeting in her building. They alternate each year with the times. They're in the earliest slot right now. Matthew spoke in church today. We were all amused by the date on the program. 

Matthew shared a crazy story about when he was supposed to give a talk in Sacrament meeting in New York and one of the brothers he ministered to, got up and passed out hard - falling to the floor and hitting his face. Matthew had been praying something would happen to prevent him from having to talk as he was unprepared to talk that day. (Of course the poor brother that fell, was not an answer to his prayer!) He spoke about how Heavenly Father and Jesus don't just wing it - they are prepared. What do we need to do to be prepared? Matthew spoke from his heart. His talk made me think about the ways in which I need to be better prepared in my own life.

Fiona and Ben had a cute play time today - for a little while at least!

Today was Miller Day! I reached out to my cousin Sally a few weeks ago and asked her to host a get together. She was so awesome. She made chili and invited her whole family to come over. Well, just about her whole family! Not everyone was able to come, but a bunch did. It was fun to chat and hang out. I was sad that Suzanne who was working on call tonight couldn't come, but her plate was too full. Suzanne was set apart as the first counselor in the Primary Presidency in her ward today and she had training all afternoon.

Sally!

Uncle John!

Sophie, Savannah and Sally - Sally is a Grandma!

Joseph, Lorena and James!

Sydney - Sally's #2

Autumn!

Hannah and Teddy (Sally and Fiona too)

Hannah!

Auntie Ellie!

Jeremy!

Jeremy being fun uncle and racing with Charlie and Teddy.

Sally lives just down the street from the temple.

We had a tour of the house and met the cats that live in the basement.

Saratoga Springs Temple.

I'm so grateful for family. There are bonds, deep connections and they are deeply important.

The Utah Visit - Saturday - Church History Museum

One of the things that I wanted to do was see the Minerva Teichert exhibition at the Church History Museum. Suzanne wanted to go too, so that was the plan. No one else really wanted to go, but we decided to take Fiona and Ben. However, Fiona wasn't feeling great. We waited a bit, and when it seemed like Fiona was feeling a bit better we went downtown.

Alice's cell phone arrived yesterday. She was so happy to get it back - did I say that she left it in the Pilot on the way to the airport? Ken was nice enough to send it by express post.

The Minerva Teichert exhibit did not disappoint. Her artwork, her faith, her life, I loved seeing and learning about all three. Fiona picked her favourite piece, and my favourite is below.

After enjoying the paintings, Fiona really enjoyed the paintings, and a trip to the bathroom - poor Fi, Ben and Fiona played in the kids area for a good long while. (Playing with a side of fighting - the two babies of the families are amusing to say the least!)

Fiona made the Hong Kong temple for her Dad.

Fiona wanted to find the Toronto Temple.

Ben wanted to find the Buenos Aires Temple for Joey.

We walked through the mostly empty temple square. Seeing the restoration/construction project up close is pretty crazy. We spoked to some Sister Missionaries. Fiona had a bunch of questions about serving a mission. I'm always amazed by the thoughtfulness and depth of her questions.

We went across the street to a shopping area, and visited the fountains, and Deseret Book. This particular location has an ice cream parlour inside.

I looked at a lot of things. Poor Fi didn't see much except the bathroom. I thought this t-shirt was hilarious. Praying to be nourished and strengthened by dessert has always made me roll my eyes!

After bringing Fiona and Ben back home Suzanne and I went to Vessel Kitchen. It's a kind of fast food restaurant with a bunch of dairy free gluten free options - but also options for those that can enjoy dairy and gluten. I felt amused that our number was 50. GAH!

We had a yummy meal and good conversation. After eating we went to Harmon's (a pretty but overpriced grocery store) and bought lots of stuff.