The Utah Visit - Goodbye Marcus

Today is the day the Marcus goes into the MTC in Provo. When we left St George a week ago he couldn't wait to meet his companion and his district and just be in the MTC for real.

The beginning of today had a little under the sink fun... or rather not fun. The reverse osmosis system wasn't working properly and leaked all over the floor again. Suzanne and I cleaned it up, and then thankfully a plumber was able to come over tonight and fix it.

Fiona was super excited to make her first smoothie of the trip. She's asked to make smoothies SO many times! She enjoyed her smoothie although it wasn't quite the same.

We met the Bacon's at Via313 Pizzeria in Orem. They are known for their gluten free options. Marcus was nervous and excited - he was all the emotions!

We had a fun lunch, that was over way too quickly! And the pizza was amazing. The crust, the vegan cheese, it was all so good!

We took some pictures, and then that was that. Saying goodbye/see you later is often such a strange thing.

From the pizzeria, the girls and I went to BYU to go to the bookstore. I went looking for art.

And I went looking for books! I was so tempted to go by his office on campus and get him to sign my book, but I chickened out.

The Y Mountain and slide inside the bookstore was pretty crazy! Joey and Ben came and found us in the bookstore. I told Joey we were going to go to Thanksgiving Point after the bookstore, and Joey thought about coming along, but in the end he decided to head straight home. Sadly his drive took over two hours because of the crazy rain storm that followed him home.

And the crazy rain storm and the crazy traffic was exactly the reason that in the end we did end up going to Thanksgiving Point. Fiona really appreciated having some cousin free time. She loves her cousins, but is also overwhelmed by all of it. We really did have a fun time together at The Museum of Curiosity. 

After we left we stopped at an In and Out Burger and a Harmon's on the way home. We got back to Suzanne's just in time to see this cute monkey coming out of the bath!

What a full, busy, fun day. We love you Marcus! Serve well Elder Bacon!

The Utah Visit - Oquirrh Mountain

Last year when Anna, Suzanne and Ben came, I really wanted Anna and Kate to go to the temple together, but it just wasn't possible. This summer I was determined for them to go, and Alice too. I started looking for baptistry sessions at the Bountiful temple (the closest), then Ogden, then Jordan River, and finally Oquirrh Mountain had an opening for today. 

Joey planned to play golf, but thankfully Ally was able to come and watch Fiona and Ben while I drove Kate, Alice and Anna down to South Jordan. But not before enjoying some cuddling first!

I'm so mad that I only took one pic, and in that one pic Anna's eyes are closed! ARGH! Thankfully even though Alice left her temple recommend up in Farmington, there were no hiccups, and Joey escorted the girls to the baptistry. He did a bunch of baptizing and for the first time, confirming. 

A miracle... Joey lost his temple recommend, but then I found it in the parking lot. We re-traced his steps, and I saw it glint in the sunlight. I took this pic of Joey and Anna just after we found his recommend.

While the kids were in the temple Tim came and met me. We sat on a bench under a tree by the back of the temple where the baptistry is and we chatted. I love my cousin Tim! It was so so so nice to sit and chat. He lives 10 minutes away in Herriman and couldn't stay long

This was the bench where Tim and I sat. I should have taken a pic of both of us.

To enter into the baptistry you go around to the back of the temple. This is a pic of the baptistry doors at the back of the temple.

One pick of all of them. The lens is set wide so it looks a little funny.

When we got back Ben was packing for his trip to California. "My Mom told me" was his answer when I asked him why he was packing.

While we were gone Ally took Fiona and Ben swimming. Then she went and met up with Joey and the girls at an ice cream place in Bountiful. Later one she went to FiiZ and I had a root beer with vanilla - yum!

The doggies are so funny. Rex and Zeus followed me around a lot. 

The clouds were really cool today.

I made breakfast for dinner - bacon and french toast and strawberries. I learned that cooking with a gas stove is tricky.

Another happy Fiona and Ben moment. I hope Fiona will remember all the good moments!

Anna making funny faces! Look at this grown up girl! Oh and you can see the sparkle. She's started putting hair sparkles in, in preparation for going to see Taylor Swift on Saturday night in California with Suzanne.

Sally came over tonight to hang out. Suzanne and Sally and I stayed up late talking. The strength of family is such a blessing. Sadly, I didn't take a pic.