A Day and a Half

I went visit my family in Utah for a quick weekend. Elise was visiting from Maryland, and I just had to join the party! I am only a quick plane-ride away, after all.  So I hopped on a plane last Friday night, and forgot just how wonderfully short that flight is! As soon as you get up, you just come back down. The pleasant company helped the time go by extra quickly, and there was a car full of sisters (and niece) to greet me! So nice of them since my plane arrived around 11 pm. I spent a lovely night at Melody’s beautiful Christmasy house, and loved waking up to Gabe and Juju playing. And Evy’s bedhead was the icing on the cake. We all made our way to my mom’s where the big fun began! I couldn't get my hands on Elise’s new baby Link (Lincoln) fast enough! He is so snuggly, warm, and grunty, as new babies are. I was missing Penny, who was in CA with her other grandparents, but loved that I could spend so much time with the little babe. It makes me sad that I don’t get to play with him everyday.

More family filtered in an out, everyone taking turns with the babe.

 

It didn’t take us long to decide that Mexican food was needed, so we all went out for a Nacho/fajita feast.

The rest of the day was filled with fabric buying, sewing, laughing, singing, eating, baby-holding, game playing, dressing up, and picture taking.

Baby Nora was so smiley and happy! And so much bigger than when we visited her as a newborn before. I’m loving this baby boom in the family! The last one was when the triplets were born.

Mom’s Wedding and Prom dresses! Still Beautiful the week of my parent’s 40th anniversary!!

Lili joined in with her own prom dress.

It was the first time we’d all been together in some years, and you never know when it will happen again, so we tried to make the most of our time together.

Mom’s house changes a little every time I go back, and she had an awesome picture wall of so many old family pictures going up to the attic. I could’ve spent hours looking at all those old pictures. As a kid, those were just family pictures, but now that I’m older, they’re like treasures.(It’s scary how much those three little ones on the bottom resemble their offspring: Link, Gabe, Ruby)

I’ve really missed being neighbors with Lili. We had some memorable years together, and we shed tears of laughter as we reminisced. It’s so fun when all the sisters get   together.  Around midnight we sang together around the piano like we used to, and it was fun to be there again harmonizing with the gang. We stayed up until all hours, and had a sleepover in the family room. The party never ends when we’re together!

The next morning Melody and I went and visited our  lifelong friend Ashley, and her new beautiful baby. We never have enough time to catch up. Then a few of us when to Drew’s ward to hear his choir’s Christmas program (he’s the director), which included a beautiful solo he sang of O Holy Night. I loved snuggling with baby Charlie. He is the sweetest baby boy, and had grown so much in the last few months.

Mom made us a delicious curry, and then we went to visit Grandmother. Always a good time visiting with her. I have a lot of Christmas memories at her house.

And then is was off to the airport for me. It was sad saying goodbye to Lili. I really hope our families get together someday soon. It’s just not right being apart for so long! I also didn’t like saying goodbye to everyone else, but our family is planning on driving over after Christmas, so not too sad. It was a lovely, solo, getaway, and I hope to do it many more times in the future. Living closer to everyone just makes me so happy. This mini vacation was packed with good memories I’ll never forget. I can’t wait until we’re all together again.