Our Trip to Utah Christmas 2009

So, the next several postings are about our trip to Utah. We were so blessed to be able to visit family there this year. We drove the trip there and back only stopping for gas. The kids did awesome! We felt a little crazy after 28 hours in the car, but the break in between helped. I have determined that next time we will either have to fly or move there. Driving was one of those things I can now check off my list - road trip with the fam -CHECK. While we very much missed the traditional Christmas here in Texas, it was a trip we needed. We had experiences and blessings that we needed to increase our faith. If I could only share with you all the times we saw the work of the Lord on our trip, I know it would touch you as well. I however cannot, my posting would go on and on. Our family was blessed with safety, love and time together. I know my Heavenly Father lives. I know that he loves me and my family. He knows our needs and blesses us. While this trip was just a small part of our journey in life, I hope it leaves a lasting impression on my children about the miracles of our times. I hope Keldon remembers his trip to Temple Square. I was so proud to watch him express his knowledge of the gospel and of our Heavenly Father. Please enjoy reliving our time in Utah!

 

One of my last adventures on our trip was to experience snowshoeing. After Michael's enjoyment of his trip, I felt I needed to experience it as well. Thankfully we found a wonderful aunt to watch the kids for us (I still owe you Lori) and headed up to Big Cottonwood Canyon one last time. Michael, Matt, Adam and I were excited about all the fresh snow (it kept on coming down the whole trek!). It was a great workout! We also saw a total of 8 moose as we went up towards the lake. We had a goal of making it to a lake that was not too far up the mountain, but it started to get too dark and we had to turn around. We still had fun though! Matt and Adam were good sports about slowing their pace so Michael and I could keep up! The air up there was brutal! The cold and altitude got to me on our way back down. I could not stop coughing. We had fun though and Michael and I left wishing we could enjoy this sport in Texas. Oh well. They probably don't even sell snowshoes here!

 

There was a day that Katie really needed a nap and Keldon really needed some one on one time with me. So we ventured out and found a cute little aquarium to visit, just Keldon and me. Keldon absolutely loved it! We saw all kinds of aquatic creatures. There was a really giant octopus (that we could not take a picture of) that moved all around while we watched. We got to go on a scavenger hunt and learned lots of facts about polar animals. We also joined in on a story time and a few crafts. Keldon was so excited at each aquarium and would ask me "what does this eat?" "What was this fish called?". I loved it! It was so nice to just be with Keldon and follow him around in an environment that was very exciting and educational to him. He was very hesitant to touch the sting rays though. It took him the whole two hours we were there to muster up the courage. He finally did though and was proud of himself! These are the times I really miss sharing with him now that he is in school all day. We used to have moments like these everyday. Now they are far and few between. I need to find them and take advantage while he still wants to just hang out with mommy.

 

We got to visit a milk farm while in Utah. We were excited about riding on the tractor and getting to really milk cows. However, when we got there we discovered that everything was closed. The roads on the farm were too icy for the tractor ride. The cows only got milked early in the morning and at 5pm (we were there at noon). So, we made the best of it and fed the ducks and geese. I was skeptical when we were purchasing duck food. Why on earth would there be ducks out in this weather!?! Well, there were many a ducks and geese all huddled around one another at a little frozen pond. They anxiously ate all the food we had. Katie loved seeing and hearing them. There was a fence around the pond, so the kids stood on a bench to throw the food in. Katie really wanted to get in the fence. Both kids looked so cute all bundled up. It was a good photo op. I was really sad about the kids not getting to experience the cow milking though! I thought that would have been very educational for Keldon. Oh well, maybe next time.

 

Matt and I decided to take the kids to the park one afternoon. We grabbed the sleds and the dog and took the short walk. Katie got to ride on the sled the whole way. I found it is quite difficult to carry her and the sled and camera and the extra snow gear. . . Keldon loved the little sledding hills and snowball fights with the dog. Katie was very upset that we would even think of making her walk in that fluffy white stuff! She sat down and cried until I would carry her. She was not too happy about the whole thing until she saw the swings. She loved it! I was very shocked that she and the snowboots and bubble suit actually fit in the baby swing. She also enjoyed riding on the bouncy duck and going down the slide. It was fun and nice to spend some time with my brother.

 

One of my goals this Christmas season was to focus on family and the birth of the savior. We tried to minimize the gift aspect. Keldon and I read the about the birth of the Savior. We talked about giving gifts of love rather than material items. While on our trip, we took an evening and walked around Temple Sqaure. We toured the Beehive House and ate rolls at the Lion House. Keldon was so excited to walk around the visitor centers. He asked questions and proudly told us things he knew. We got to see the Christus statue and the beautiful nativity scenes. The night ended too soon. The kids got tired and it was cold outside. We were leaving as the lights were coming on. I love that we got to spend that time together though. I hope Keldon remembers this experience. I hope this experience will strengthen his testimony and reaffirm to him the things we are teaching him. I hope every year we can find a stonger presence of the Savior and teach that to our children.

 

We had several opportunities to play in the snow. The biggest was when we took the kids up into the mountains to sled. The guys (Dan, Matt and Michael) took off on a snowshoeing adventure up to Donut Falls. Anna and I braved it with five kids on a good sledding hill. I thought Keldon would be hesitant since the hill we were on was rather large. He never even paused! He is so brave. He ran up and sledded down for about two hours. Katie figured out that the white stuff we were walking on tasted good! She frequently bent down to lick the snow. Her and I braved the slopes a few times. She LOVED it as well. She cried when it looked like we were not going back up. I had to carry her and the sled each time. So, that quickly got difficult. Michael loved snowshoeing and said he would definately do it again. I will have to post some pictures of that when I get them from my brother (hint, hint). He had a great day and stopped for the best hot chocolate on our way down the mountain.

 

We had so much fun in Utah this year at Christmas. We got to see lots of family and lots of snow! Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve and morning. We got to spend Christmas Eve with my grandparents and extended family and Christmas morning with my brother Matt.