Midwest Relatives & more

June 2 - June 7

After the baby blessing, we stopped by to visit with Scott and Amanda (more good friends of ours) before heading to Deweyville to say hi to Nate's parents. Around 5ish, Nate and I were off to Salt Lake. Nate has training all week in West Jordan for his new job and my mom's siblings are flying out from Illinois to visit for the week. We stopped by my parents' place first to say hi to my relatives and my brother and SIL before heading to the hotel. I guess there was a miscommunication with Nate's new managers and booking with the hotel. So we only had a room for one night, instead of the whole week. We had to wait until tomorrow to see if we could stay at this hotel or be transferred to another one. We checked in, put our bags in the room and then went back to visit the fam.
Monday
Nate's training was right across the street from the hotel that we were at, so it was a bit of bummer when we found out that we had to go to the sister hotel in... Sandy. 20 minutes away from where we currently were. Kind of frustrating that there wasn't a room open for us for the week. Oh well. We put our stuff in the car, ate breakfast, dropped Nate off at the training site and went to my parents' house. My cousin asked what fun things we could go to and I told them about Wheeler Historic Farm and few other places. So we ended up going to this great farm. It was me and my relatives, since everyone else was at work or at school. It was fun to walk around looking at the animals and seeing the historic farm. My cousins seemed to really enjoy themselves. 

 We were hoping to feed the ducks, but we got geese instead.

 Cute little chicks! Carissa and Cienna told me all about their pet chickens that they have at home in Kentucky.

 Dairy cows!

I had to go pick Nate up from his training and take him to his class. When I got back, it was time to eat and my niece was enjoying herself on the swinging chair with my little cousins. Nothing but giggles coming out of that cute chick. :) I had to leave again to pick him up from class. We did some window shopping and then headed to our new hotel in Sandy for some relaxation and some swimming. 

Tuesday

 After the 20 min drive to Nate's training, I stopped by my parents' house to spend time with my relatives. We decided to grab Subway for lunch and then headed to the "castle park" behind West (could be South) Jordan city hall. After eating, Cienna and Carissa were very eager to explore the elaborate and large playground. I remember coming here with my friends from high school--it's so much fun! We went on the swings, explored the playground and played Cops n Robbers with my aunt. They had a good time.

We stopped by the D.I. to look for maternity clothes and then headed back home to relax from the hot day. Later in the evening, my dad got some pizzas and everybody went over to my mom's care facility to eat dinner with her. 

I promise that everyone enjoyed their visit even though they look bored in the picture below

It was good to see her and I know she enjoyed seeing her siblings and her family.

Wednesday

The plan today was to go swimming at the Taylorsville Pool. After I dropped Nate off at his training, I did a little maternity shopping for when school starts. I got to my parents and away we went. Boomer joined us today for some fun in the sun. Our plan was to go to the Taylorsville Pool, but soon learned that it was only open in the evenings for the current week (last week of school). So we went to the Kearns Swimming Pool instead. They have upgraded a lot of their water toys since the last time I was there. I mostly hung around my aunt Tracy and Carissa. That little one couldn't get enough of this slide! 

Boomer and Cienna were inseparable. They went of the diving board and played in the outdoor and indoor pool. My aunt and uncle decided to just sit and relax in the shade by the pool.

I love this shot of the two of them. :) I know Carissa had a blast!

Yep... I am awesome!

After the fun at the pool, we went home for dinner and I picked up Nate from his training. All in all, it was a good day with family!

Thursday

We visited my mom in the morning and then I was able to steal Nate away for lunch at Zupas! Yum! The following afternoon, my relatives had to fly back to Illinois and Kentucky. It was great to see and spend time with them. I picked Nate up after he got off and we went to my girlfriend's house for a chop job fix and a hair dye. The lady who had cut my hair before back in February, cut my hair dry--a HUGE no-no for curly hair. Needless to say it looked terrible. Luckily, BECAUSE my hair is curly, you couldn't notice too much. But still. If I am going to pay you to cut my hair, do it right! I have recently wanted to go dark, just to try it out. Melanie (childhood friend) did a great job! I love the chocolate brown color. I sent Nate to get Chinese takeout and when he got back, we feasted! Melanie's fiance, Peter (also a friend from high school), came over to join us. They are so cute together and I am so happy for them to get married!!! Plus, her daughter Remy is really taken with Peter, it is SOOO cute! While we ate, I had Melanie tell me about his proposal and their plans for their upcoming wedding.

 On the way back to my parents house, I got this great idea for a wedding gift that incorporates their proposal story and Mel's fascination with bird home decor.

I love it!
Friday
In the morning, Nate and I checked out of our hotel before I took him to his training. I then spent most of my day hanging out with Tania and then chilling at my parents' house. Nate's training for Mt. America Credit Union had him work a full day at one of the branches in the Salt Lake area for him to get a feel of what he would be doing. I picked him up when he got off at six. We showed up at the house around the same time that my brother and SIL got home from work.

Coincidentally, Mike and Nate were both wearing their bank polos. Mike with Zions Bank and Nate with Mt. America Credit Union. Funny, funny! It didn't take long before they decided to play one on one with basketball. I sat on the grass with Jess and my niece, Chloe, talking about life and pregnancy.

Chloe is so interested in what her daddy is doing. I think she wanted to play too. :)

She still gave me loves!

We hung around for about an hour before deciding to head back to Vernal. What a great week! Until next time.. :)

Henry's Baby Blessing

June 2
We woke up, ate a quick breakfast and then headed over to the church for Henry's baby blessing. You could see the happiness in Aaron's and Kenzie's faces. It was a beautiful blessing. After sacrament got out, we went to the pavilion/park across the street for lunch. It tasted great, Kenz!

It was really great to see some of our good friends from Logan again. I love hearing the mischievous stories of Nate and his friends when they were in high school. I haven't laughed that hard in long time.

Salmon Fry

June 1

Nate and I drove to Logan this morning for a baby blessing of our closest friends the night before. When morning came, we all went on the lookout for yard sales in the area--one of Nate's favorite things to do. Nate and I figured that once school starts in August, we will essentially have little to no time in finding furniture and other baby essentials for our little one. So we better start now, getting as much of a head start as we can. Kenz and I ooed and awed over the baby clothes. I tried to find clothes that were gender neutral, since we haven't figured out what we are having yet. I'm a bit bummed that I don't know if we are having a girl or a boy, but I'm hoping for a boy...is that bad? Although I tried to stay gender neutral, I kept leaning toward the boy clothes. We hit a few more places before heading back to their house.

Lil' Hank fell asleep in my arms. :)

 I hung out with Kenz waiting for her family to arrive while the guys ran some errands.

Nate is getting some practice with Henry

Around 3:30, we headed over to Aaron's parents' house in Garland (city) for the Salmon Fry. We had to wait a bit for the guys to make their appearance. Nate, Aaron and Kenz's cousin went to look at a pawn shop for guns (go figure). When they arrived it was time for some salmon. Every year, Garland (city) has an all-you-can-eat salmon event called the Salmon Fry. Apparently, people from all over the states will come to eat the fresh caught salmon from Alaska. All you have to do is raise your hand and they bring you more salmon and more of their buttery sauce. This has been one of Nate's favorite traditions with his buddies from high school.

 This is the look of contentment

 Yum. Yum. Yum.
I wasn't the biggest fan of fish when we first met, but this became a definite exception. I love it!
After the salmon fry, some of Aaron's mission buddies and the rest of us went to do some shooting. It was a lot of fun.

 We went back to Aaron's and Kenzie's house for games and a surprise, hilarious visit from Garland (friend that grew up with Nate and Aaron...I know it is a little confusing). It was a great ending to a great day.