Stay-cation

This past weekend we spent some time in Park City with Justin's family.  Lisa and Dave treated all of the kids to a couple of nights in a hotel, fly-fishing for the boys, a couple of spa services for the girls and some delicious meals out.  Can you guess what my favorite was????

I was horrible at taking pictures, I only managed to get a few.

We had a really rough night the first night (Hyrum and I maybe got 4 or 5 hours of sleep, Justin might have had an hour more or so). Luckily, Kate was shut in the bathroom and slept like a champ.  The second night was a lot better.

We did a bit of shopping at the outlets, mostly playing on the playground for my kids.  I overspent on a few warm clothes for Kate since we were caught a little off guard with the cold weather.  I had a facial and an hour massage at the spa, which was awesome.  We had 2 yummy dinners and a couple of great breakfasts' too.

Thanks for a great weekend Lisa and Dave.

Ten years

I've written a few things on and about September 11th since the beginning of this blog. My personal experience was here and more thoughts about the date were here.

I've been thinking about the anniversary for a while now, but not for the typical reasons. I have been watching a tv series for years now, and they were airing the series finale (the end of the show) to coincide with the 10 year anniversary. Makes sense, since the show is about a bunch of NYC firefighters, many of which were there (fictionally) on that day.

I haven't managed to gather my thoughts into anything coherent, so here they are as they've come.

-One of our young women today wanted to find a scripture that kind of 'went with' September

11th for the opening exercises. I looked up liberty in the index, and we came up with 2nd Nephi 1:7

Wherefore, this ^aland is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of ^blibertyunto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound ^ccursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.

When you think about when and why this land was founded and the government (although not perfect by any stretch of the imagination) was established it's quite remarkable. I do have a

testimony that the Lord needed to establish a land that would be (somewhat) tolerable to new ideas and would be a place that the gospel could be restored.

-My heart doesn't break anymore for those who lost their lives in the September 11th attacks. It's for those people that are still here and are missing someone today. The people that lost their lives in the buildings and planes left behind loved ones that probably hurt a little more whenever we come up to the anniversary.

-It's struck me how quickly we can forget -as a nation. I don't think that's always such a bad

thing either. If all we did was remember, it would be difficult to 'get on with life'. Some of the young women in class today were as young as 2 years old when the attack happened. We can't expect them to feel an emotional attachment to the event. I think there are ways to remember and to rebuild and move on without forgetting. I hope that is something that I will be able to teach my children.

-The world is a different place. I don't think we could kid ourselves and believe that there was not terrorism and fanatics and lunatics in the world before 9/11. But, I think the average American (and English, Indian, Greek -just about every nationality we're not unique) is much more aware of the threats and harm that can come to us at anytime. I obviously did not grow up during the height of the Cold War, but I have to believe it was a bit easier to handle one, identifiable threat. The threat of a nuclear war was in the air, just as the threat of continued terrorist attacks are a constant threat in the back of our minds.

-One last thought. (As if any of you as still reading this). I left to serve a mission 3 weeks following 9/11. For those weeks I couldn't help but feel extremely patriotic and love for my country while American flags were hung from every spare space, marque's posted genuine sentiments for those that lost their lives, and schools and cities had services to remember those who died and honor those who were still working in the rubble. I spent two and a half weeks happily secluded in the MTC oblivious to the political saga that was unfolding. In New Zealand I was shocked to hear anti-American sentiments and criticism about the actions the government was taking in the Middle East. I'm not sure we responded correctly, and I'm not sure what we continue to do is helpful in the long run, but I don't think that changes how we feel about

September 11th. It might be strange to say this, but I am glad that I was old enough to know and remember what that day meant to me.

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Swiss Days

I have no pictures yet to add to this post, but they will be coming shortly. I figured since all 6 of us girls blog, and all 6 of us blog about Swiss Days and pretty much post the same pictures, I'd at least be the first to get the post up. (Jessica... I'm patiently waiting for our pictures to be emailed).

Our annual trip to Swiss Days, Park City, and Tanger Outlets at Kimball Junction was this past weekend. It got a little complicated for me this year. The other five girls (mom, aunt Karen, sister Jodi, sis-in-laws Jessica and Jenny) arrived Thursday evening to the condo. Justin has been gone (you may have noticed my previous posts) and wasn't scheduled to come up until Saturday morning at 1am. My mother in law was able to take the kids all day Friday, so I met them in Park City first thing Friday morning.

Swiss Days, in my opinion and a few other shop/booth keepers) didn't seem quite as crowded this year. I got Kate a cute Halloween costume, and wrapping paper. They have awesome (think, high quality, huge selection) wrapping paper up there every year, but we never want to wait in line or carry the paper around all day. This year I was up for it. We also got an awesome chocolate icy drink. It may have been the highlight of Jessica's entire weekend.

We shopped the outlets for a couple hours before dinner (which was a great Mexican Place -Baja Cantina) and then again on Saturday. My kids needed pj's so that's about all I got, plus a sweater for Justin and a couple cardigans for me.

Yet another fun girls weekend, thanks mom!

Oh -I almost forgot. We all have at least one pair of Toms shoes. Some of us (not me) have at least three pairs. This last bit will make a lot more sense once I post the pictures.

4 Days left

Well... didn't that go by fast! I actually only have 3 full more days with the kids, but it'll be almost 5 days until Justin is actually home.

We've gone to the Aquarium, church, a movie, a few stores, the library, friends houses, the gym, book club, and lunch with girlfriends. Today was the first day where we didn't go anywhere. I had some plans for this afternoon, but after piano lessons, I just didn't feel like it.

Justin experienced Hurricane Irene, which was mostly Tropical Storm Irene by the time it hit his little island, which was a good thing. They lost power for a little over 24 hours, and got to sleep in this morning a couple hours. It sounds like it's back to normal now -they'll be up around 4 am tomorrow for PT.

As far as me and the kids, we're surviving. I've only had one REALLY long day, everything else has been just fine. I miss the gym, I went once last week and hope to go at least once this week before our girls weekend. We've actually been a lot busier than I expected and I've found myself thinking this week that I can't believe I only have 4 more days until the weekend (when I go to Swiss Days and Justin comes back). I guess all of the 4, 5 and 6 days Justin's been traveling this summer has made this time a lot easier.

Day 4

I can't believe it's only Wednesday. Seriously. It's nearly the end of Wednesday, but still. We're four days into our two weeks with Justin being at his Navy Officer Training in Rhode Island. He sneaks in texts during the day (although it's mostly about to-do lists) and a few before he goes to bed. As far as I know he's passed all of his physical tests... and I'm not sure what else he's been doing.

We've been trying to get out of the house everyday, although I think I'm starting to lack adult conversation. I met a friend at the mall yesterday for about an hour (and tried to keep our kids from killing each other and others) and today I spoke to the day care lady at the gym. Twice. That's it. We also went to the library on Monday, but you can get in and out of there without speaking to anyone with their fancy computers. I think I've talked to my sister once or twice, and sent way to many chat messages to a friend during a game on my phone.

The next two days should be better. Tomorrow I have a few things on my schedule and I might go to a family party in the evening. And Friday I have book club and lunch with friends. The house is mostly clean at night and I'm even trying to tackle a few de-junking projects. Although with kids with colds and one that's teething, I haven't been able to get as much done as I had hoped at this point.

I like sleeping sideways on the bed and I haven't had to do any laundry yet, and I think I'm running the dishwasher half the time. I get to watch whatever I want to on tv at night (although Justin is gone enough in the evenings that isn't too exciting) and I'm getting pretty far in two books I'm reading.

I've showered every day, (today it was at the gym, and oddly enough, it was probably the most relaxing shower I've had since Saturday) and I've done my hair everyday but today. Pretty good stats, as far as I'm concerned. Ah... the life of a some-what single mom.

The Bishop's Kid

That's me. We've known for a couple of weeks, but it became official today. The last time my dad received the calling to be a bishop he moved. The story is more complicated than that -it involves new stake presidents, angry real estate agents and the church office building, but basically he got a bye. Or... at least a stay of execution.

This time the house wasn't on the market and they hadn't put on offer on another one, so he accepted. He did wonder a few times in the last few weeks how far he could get if he just got in his car and drove... but luckily he didn't follow through.

Poor grandpa. The grandkids will miss him around the house on Sundays, but I'm sure our family will be blessed for his service. And... if it doesn't kill him, I suppose it will only make him stronger!

Diners, Drive-In's and Dives

Yesterday we went to TWO (2) local spots featured on the show (that I have never seen) Diners, Drive-in's and Dives. And... the Log Cabin on Hill Air Force Base.

This weekend was a drill weekend for Justin, and he wouldn't have gone (since he is going for two weeks at the end of the month) except that there was an Admiral visiting. They had a lunch on base that families were invited to, so I went and then a dinner that Justin coordinated for the officers. We went to Red Iguana, which has been featured on the Food Network show. I don't know about their whole menu, but it was super busy and what I ordered could be the BEST thing I've ever had from a Mexican place. It was amazing! Pretty spicy, but if you're going their anytime you can't go wrong with the steak specialty. Couldn't pronounce or remember the name of it, but you'd be able to figure it out. I think the local and visiting officers enjoyed the meal and atmosphere.

Then... because my dad was the afternoon babysitter and had to deal with two kids who didn't nap well (or at all) and had a near incident with the potty training grandchild, we decided to stop and bring home some ice cream. You can't grow up in Roy and not visit the Burger Bar at least a dozen times (I think it's in the city by-laws) but I realized Justin had never been there. While we were waiting in line I noticed their banner which advertised the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We watched the you-tube clip while waiting for our shakes, which was pretty funny.

So... one evening and two spots featured on tv. Not bad I guess. The shake was just as good as I remember them being. And just as big too.