Our Trip to Utah (12/26-12/31)

We left at about 6:15 AM when it was still dark the day after Christmas.  We got our first view of snow covered trees just before the sun came up.  I always love the way the world looks with a fresh layer of snow:12.26.12 to UtahThe drive was long and the snowy, icy roads made it even longer.  It took us 18 1/2 hours to drive from our home in Washington to my in-law’s house in Orem, Utah.  Thomas was not a fan of all the changes in elevation that made his ears feel clogged:12.26.12 to Utah (5)

Ila tried to help him by passing him snacks throughout the drive:12.26.12 to Utah (2)12.26.12 to Utah (4)Isaac’s favorite toy at Grandma and Grandpa’s house:12.27.12 Day One in Utah (1)Watching My Little Pony and eating Licorice:12.27.12 Day One in Utah (5)Thomas and Aunt Laresa:12.27.12 Day One in Utah (9)12.27.12 Day One in Utah (10)New Friends for the kids (Evan, Maggie, and Lucy):12.28.12 Day Two in Utah12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (2)12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (5)Thomas playing with one of Grandma’s homemade toys:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (10)12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (13)Aunt Heidi trying to encourage Ila to try some orange slices:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (14)Nicole playing Tic, Tac, Toe with Grandma:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (15)Ila ate a lot of apples:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (18)but she left the peels behind:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (21)Stories with Grandma:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (24)Ila went with Aunt Heidi, Aunt Laresa, and Grandma to pick out yarn or a special blanket from Heidi:12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (37)Temple square with Aunt Heidi:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (27)12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (29)12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (40)Charlotte and Grandpa:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (41)12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (42)Presents from Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Heidi, Aunt Laresa, and Aunt Bethani and Uncle Dan:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (44)12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (51)12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (62)12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (64)Bethani and Dan participated via Google Hangout:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (74)Matching PJs with sparkly skirts:12.28.12 Day Two in Utah (79)12.29.12 Day 3 in Utah (3)12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (11)Grandma taught Isaac how to play Nerts and dominos:12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (2)12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (47)12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (5)Thomas took his first steps.  Prior to this video, he took several single unassisted steps before leaning forward and falling into my arms.  Zach was able to capture him taking a few steps:We celebrated Zach’s birthday a day early with sandwiches, Zach’s favorite roasted red pepper cheese dip, pumpkin pie, and a chocolate fountain:12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (6)12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (12)12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (26)12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (24)12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (30)12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (33)12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (19)Aunt Heidi and Ila:12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (36)Grandpa and Ila:12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (38)Grandma and Ila:12.30.12 Day Four in Utah (50)Homeward bound.  Check out the super cute dolls made by Aunt Laresa and Aunt Heidi:12.31.12 The drive home (5)

Luckily the trip home was much shorter.  We let around 6AM (MST) and arrived home at 7:30 (PST) = 14 1/2 hours