The Utah Visit - Farmington to St George

We were in no rush this morning. None. And the speed at which we moved and got out the door was evidence of this lol!

I feel like I should have taken more selfies with my sister. Suzanne felt so guilty about not being able to spend more time with me. I knew that she'd be working and I was absolutely willing to take what time I could get. Life is too busy most of the time so you really do have to just enjoy what you have!

I can't believe this is goodbye for two years!!! Serve well Élder Bates! You're going to be awesome! I'm grateful for the time I got to spend with Joey. He's so much fun and has such a tender heart!

Fiona and Ben were so funny together! Just like siblings if you ask me. Best of friends one minute and so done with each other the next!

One cousin pic like the ones we'd always take. I'm sad we didn't see Isaac and Tommy. Time with kids at home is both so slow and so fast.

The goodbye party, they all came out to say goodbye. A long goodbye as you walk down all the stairs! I might have choked up a bit saying goodbye to my sister. I'm so thankful for the day and age in which we live but I still hate living so far away. 

Fiona desperately wanted to go back to BYU. When we were there on Wednesday she had wanted to get something but she was gripped with indecision and I was so frustrated that we left without getting anything. She asked if we could go back today on our way to St George and I told her that her sisters could decide. After making that condition I regretted it. Thankfully they were okay with Fiona going so it all worked out. Fiona wanted to go down the slide and get a royal blue ball cap. There were no tears, no tantrums it was great!

And since it was easy we had Chick-fil-A in the Wilkinson Centre across from the bookstore.

Kate didn't want to be there but she survived!

One happy Fiona and her hat!

I was in love with the drive today. It was gorgeous. I just tried to soak in all the mountains. I told Jon when we chatted briefly that I was sad that we weren't driving home. We went to Maverick's again in Fillmore, but I didn't take any pics.

When we arrived in St George we went straight to Target. Fiona was ready for another successful shopping trip. We bought a shirt, pants, a couple of snacks and Fiona bought herself two cute Our Generation accessories. Yay!

We got to Michelle and Jon's and had a nice visit with the dogs! They were all out which we knew. Lovey had a series of pre-season games for the high school soccer team. Lovey wouldn't be playing but might be and was kind of expected to be there to support.

Jon and Michelle only stayed for the first game and then came and picked me up. The girls had cereal for dinner and I went out for dinner with Jon and Michelle. We went to a really yummy Thai place. And a brief driving tour. Michelle and Jon were so excited to see the temple lit up on the inside. The St George Temple has been closed for a few years now and they're really excited for it to reopen.

On the way home we got Pink Box donuts for Alice and Fiona. Getting donuts in the States was the only thing left on Fiona's list of things to do. (At least I think that was the only thing left?!)

It was lovely to be back in Jon and Michelle's home even if just for a night. I don't like goodbyes.

The Utah Visit - This is the Place

Our last full day in the northern parts! We're all a little bit looking forward to going home, but I am definitely not looking forward to saying goodbye. I was worried that the weather wouldn't cooperate, but thankfully it did. The afternoon was perfect! We had such a great time at This is the Place. 

There was one surprise this morning - Fiona's face! Her story is that around 6 am she woke up and bashed her face into the side of the bunk bed that she's been sleeping in all week. It was puffy and sore and she was feeling a little out of sorts this morning, but thankfully she felt much better as the day went along.

It was gorgeous out today. Just perfect weather. Blue skies, not too hot. Beautiful!

Since we last went in 2019 they've built a visitors centre. There's some movies, some art, a diorama and a fun covered wagon to climb inside of!

The main reason that I wanted to come, Jane Manning James and Green Flake. I didn't ever donate money, but many others did, and the statues are there now. History is all about stories. It used to be the story of the "winners", but people are trying to go back and piece together the stories of the people that were oppressed, tell the stories we don't know. History is difficult. I'm grateful for all of the historians that are telling the stories of our black pioneers! We need to know these stories. I feel changed by the little bit that I know about Jane Manning James and Green Flake. Their stories of faith and tenacity inspire me. The things that they went through, the incredible odds that were against them. That they lived and prospered and were faithful, it makes me weep and also just feel grateful.

I'm so glad that Joey and Ben came with us!

I thought these were so funny!

AND I'm so so so happy that Dole Whips are gluten free and dairy free! YAY FOR ME!!

Joey, Ben and Fiona had Brigham's donuts.

After the donuts we walked over to the pony rides. Ben and Fiona rode the ponies and Alice and Kate explored the petting farm. Kate found a favourite pony.

And then a goat.

Next we caught the trolley up to the area where you pan for gold.

Deseret News for Suzanne!!

Ben didn't really get into the panning for gold, but all the kids had fun playing in the water. We were there for a while!

I went into the little gift shop and used Fiona's money to buy a pouch to put her gold into. Joey took Fiona and Ben on the mini train, and then we walked down the hill - stopping to say hello to Mary Fielding Smith - I'm excited to meet her one day!

When we got back down the hill we didn't know where the bank was. They told us that we could take our gold into the bank. We weren't sure why but we were curious. We went in the school house to ask where the bank was but then the girls all had to write their names in the phonetic deseret alphabet first.

Luckily the bank which was closing in two minutes, was still open and across the street from the school house. I didn't know that you could take your gold to the bank and get it weighed. It was really cool. There were two kids in line in front of Fiona. The first kid's gold was the equivalent of $3.98 in 1865. The second kid's gold was about $1.50 or something. Then Fiona poured her gold into the tray. It would have been worth $21.00! CRAZY! The woman in the bank said that Fiona could buy two horses, or go to school for seven years. She recommended going to school!

Joey and Ben had left just before this. After going to the bank we went into the main gift shop. The girls all got a candy stick, I bought another pig and we thought about buying Ken this mug. "Kenneth: Beneath the steely exterior beats the heart of a dashing hero." I a little bit regret not getting it for him.

We saw a deer when we were leaving and I pulled over to take a pic.

We drove through downtown Salt Lake on the way back to Suzanne's. I wanted to take the girls into see Suzanne at work, but they didn't really want to stop, and I didn't press it. I also a little bit regret that too. 

The girls had fun hanging out with Anna before the big goodbye tomorrow. Right now I'm feeling ready to go, let's see how I feel in the morning. And not ready because I had an awful time, I had a wonderful time, just ready to go, because it's always so nice to go home, and I miss my Kenneth!