Utah trip Pictures Part 1

Here are the pictures from our trip out to Utah and of the funeral.

We had a great drive down. We made it to Farr West in about 14 1/2 hours. I was really proud of the kids for being sooo good! We actually got started at about 7:15am which is a miracle in and of itself! We are NOT early risers and tend to go very SLOWLY first thing! As always with getting going so early, we had a few girls car sick on the drive through the Cascades. But we didn't let that slow us down!

We got to stay with my cousin, Kami Smith, and her boys that first night! What a blessing! They were so sweet and took such good care of us! Ian and cousin Bowen became fast friends and we "older kids" had fun playing games and chatting. We only missed David, who works in Alaska. Saturday, we got to go to my Uncle Tom's house where they put on quite a spread! My mom was there-Sweet reunion- and we got to see MY Grandpa Moline, cousins Tana and Brady and their children. It was lots of fun and we really appreciated all of their efforts!

We left with my mom and stayed with her that night at my Aunt Conda's house. We went shopping and got KFC and watched "Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory", the old one of course! It was so fun to watch my kids with their Grandma. Back at Toms, Ian, in a very no-nonsense tone informed his cousin that he COULD NOT sit next to him as that chair was for HIS Grandma. (Hard to teach manners when they are so dang cute being rude!) The girls very quickly snuggled up to Grandma and pretty much stayed there!

Sunday, we went to Sacrament Meeting and then headed out to find a hotel. Very Good one in Bountiful called "Country Inn and Suites". They even gave us a discount on our second room because we were visiting for a funeral. I was very surprised as nobody does that anymore! Airlines in the past have shrugged and said, "Its still $750.00". They were very kind and we were very comfortable! We went down to Salt Lake and visited our dear, dear friends, the Mocks. Robyn was in Chicago with their oldest, Britayne, but Shannon and the rest were home. Shannon made us an amazing meal, as always, and we loved visiting and seeing the kids pick up their friendships and make new ones! It is wonderful to have friends that no matter how time passes, the love and caring is still there!

We headed back up to Bountiful for the viewing. We were amazed at the line of people! My aunt was dearly loved! We waited in line for almost 40 minutes, with different cousins cutting in to hug and see us. Finally, I said "Heck, we are family" and we just cut through to see everyone! We definately are the type of family where, you may not see or talk for 15 years, but you are there for weddings and funerals. It was very interesting to see my kids react to Karen. I didn't have to remind or scold. They were all very reverent, especially Ian. He stood in front of her casket for probably 10 minutes or so. Just reverently watching her. I thought he might be in the way. But he was so good! He asked me later if Aunt Karen was going to wake up tomorrow at the funeral. Good questions that always inspire good discussions. It was interesting to hear his big sisters answer him," No, but we'll see her when we die." & "She's gone to live with Heavenly Father."
Simple and true!

Spence and my bro-in-law, Kevin, took the kiddos back to the hotel and they went swimming. Fun!Fun! It was so helpful to Manda and I to be able to visit and then to practice our songs before the next day. When we got to the hotel, the kids had eaten tons of snacks for "dinner" and were ready for a sleepover! We tried to get them to watch a movie and fall asleep so we could play Canasta. We got one or two hands in, but it was time for bed!

The funeral the next day was beautiful! We got through the singing and the talks were very special. It was so good to be surrounded by family. I was going to say that it is "Family" that gets you through. But that isn't really true. It's the Gospel centered Family that gets you through. So, that when you are struggling and in the dark, others bring knowledge and faith to your remembrance. Then, you can feel that truth and see a bit of light.

Later, we had a good visit with Conda, Scott, Mike and Lindsay and then took Spence to the airport. :( Stay tuned for Part 2 of our vacation.