During my Utah trip, I wanted to do more than just hold a sweet baby boy. Obviously, Mimi moved to UT, so there was Mimi fun to be had. She picked me up from Kerry's house and we went to our old Alma Matter, BYU after a brief stop at IKEA. First, we met up with Heidi Barney and her cute husband, Heidi was a missionary who lived in our home a little over a year ago. MARRIED, so crazy. So we ate at Cafe Rio, my favorite place to eat on the whole planet THAT IS NOT IN WASHINGTON, but thankfully can be found in Colorado, when we visit Chris' family.
Anyway, after lunch, it was that time of day when you start to feel sleepy. We rolled onto campus and agreed it was time for a little snooze. We had some blankets, so we hit the grass (it had been ten years since my graduation from BYU, but napping on the grass is an old past time of mine) by the campus museum of history. Naptime was rudely interrupted by the campus bell tower, which plays a hymn every so often and is super loud. It also started to rain. Off to the creamery for some ice cream. The Creamery is dreamery. I thought it was funny that the young man who was working there that day let us know that there is a two sample limit. HAhahahaha. We must be on a college campus where people may be guilty of sampling and leaving. Haha.
A scoop of ice cream later, and it was a torrential downpour in Provo.
Rain wasn't part of our plan, because I have some seriously adorable cousins who were meeting Meem and I for a matchmaking, superhero photo-shoot an hour or so later. I know a few boys and I got them on board to all meet my cousins and dress like super heroes and let me take pics of them. You can get young people to do almost anything for a cool facebook pic.
Mimi and I ran around getting some cape fabric and we cut some letters out of white fabric so we could help the superheroes with their superheroing. Enter the single people. The dudes were totally not sure about dressing up, so they came as-is and said their dress up was in their car. The girls confidently rolled into the student center rocking awesome superhero garb. Sydney was wearing a shoulder to ankle, one piece, hot pink unitard. Perfect.
Thankfully, the rain subsided and we had a great time working with them. The matchmaking part was hard, because they girls were socially normal and the guys were socially awkward, but I see they are interacting on facebook and stuff, so you never know. Personally, I'd like to see a few of those guys join the family, they were super nice and fun.
My cousins, Sydney, Lauren, Kaitlin, Joslin and Karli. The tall one doesn't belong. :) The other four are sisters. Kaitlin looks rad.
Dan, Nate, Tyler, Steve and Mike. I know Mike. He's awesome and I love his family. My other faves were...well all of them.
Okay, so then I went and stayed the night at Mimi's parents house, where she and her family live now that John is in nursing school. We first went to the stadium where Ellie was performing at 1/2 time as part of a cheer camp she attended. Just like old times, Mimi and I got back to the house and pulled out our laptops and started working away on our superhero pics. We were pretty excited to see them.
The next morning, I took some pics of Mimi for her photography business she is getting off the ground in Midway. I'd hire her. Actually, I'd like her to get back here and take my family pics and play in the studio with me and be my birthday party photographer. Sheesh.
Mimi and I left for Layton, which is north of SLC and an hour and a half or so drive from where Mimi lives in Midway. Our good friend Monica lives in Layton and her kids were with their dad for the weekend, so we went up there to hang out with her boyfriend Trever (now finacee) for that evening and the next day before I flew out. We had so much fun. We went out to Indian food and then just sat around chatting and watching football at Monica's. We played a little Dr. Mario with Trever and let's just say I can hold my own...and I think Trever and I might need to revisit the Dr. Mario thing next time I visit, because I think the champion is still undetermined. I didn't take any pics of Monica and Trever, so here is one from a party we had for Monica when she was in town in June.
On Sunday, we got Monica alone for some girl talk while we helped Monica with some food prep for a church dinner she was in charge of that night. It was fun to ask her about Trever and getting married and all that stuff. I'm a fan of Monica and Trever.
I got to see Laura Sage while I was there too. She is one of my dear mission friends, and she is single, so when Monica got divorced and moved to UT, I introduced them and they became friends. Yay...that makes it so easy for me! So Laura came over for a little bit on Saturday night and again on Sunday before I had to leave for the airport. It was great to see her. Yes, I did take a few purdy pictures of her. I can't help myself!
It was a great trip, I had so much fun and came home seriously rejuvenated and ready to face the family routine. I am so grateful for good friends. I just wish I didn't lose so many of them to UT.
