Road trip and baptism

We decided to hit the road for Thanksgiving this year and go to Utah. Caleb's parents live there now, his sister, grandpa, lots of aunts and uncles. I also have quite a few family members there, my cousins and some aunts and uncles. I drove myself with the three kids on Monday and Caleb came with my parents on Wednesday. Driving there with the kids was actually pretty easy. It was around 14 hours to get from Salem to Highland Utah where Jocelyn lives. We got there around 8:30 at night since we lost an hour due to time changes. The kids were in heaven as soon as we arrived. Jocelyn's house is amazing and Shelby had plenty of girl things to play with. Tuesday we met up with Jessica and all of us went to a kid museum. It was so much fun. The kids explored and we spent hours there. Calvin stayed the night with Jessica because he is in love with his cousin James. Wednesday we hit the road back to Logan and got to stay at Jenny and Kurt's. Jenny is Caleb's sister and their house is like a playground. There is a sand pile, an outdoor play house, a pony the kids can ride, huge horses that pull wagons, and even a couple of sheep. Wednesday night Caleb got to Logan so we were finally all together. Thursday was Thanksgiving and Jenny hosted a great dinner. We all ate too much and had a good time talking. Friday my cousins came to Jenny's. Jessica and Steve with their four boys, Jocelyn and her three girls, and Jonah and his wife Maddy. We spread out all over the house and the kids played outside for hours. Saturday was Shelby's baptism and the whole family was there. She had everyone who stayed with us at Jenny's house, plus grandparents Eric and Wendy and my mom and dad. Aunt Penny came with her son Cole and his daughter.

Shelby and I went dress shopping with Jocelyn and just as I expected, finding a dress for her was not too easy. She wouldn't even touch half of them. The one she loved at first sight, she hated the way it felt. So we got a slip and she still couldn't handle it more than a couple of seconds. Another one had sequence type sleeves and she said she could wear it as long as she could hold her arms out the whole time and not move them. Since that wasn't an option we found another one that she didn't want to try on. She kept telling me it was too fashionable. She's not that into fashion. Jocelyn and I were cracking up. Anyway, I convinced her to try it on and as soon as it was on her she loved it. It was comfortable and didn't bother her skin.

The baptism itself could not have been more adorable and amazing. Keith her cousin gave the opening prayer. All he said was "Help the water to be not too hot and not to cold for Shelby so she will get in". Adorable. The closing prayer was Kasen her cousin, he said "Help the food to be good and don't let us crash on the way home". I love kids prayers. They are so practical and sincere.

My dad was the conductor, Jocelyn was our chorister, Wendy on the piano, my mom did the baptism talk, Eric did the Holy Ghost talk, and of course her dad did the baptism. It was pretty amazing. Shelby still remembers the talks a couple of days later, so they said something that stuck for her. Even Calvin can still remember the talks. Shelby said when she got the Holy Ghost, it tickled her.

After the baptism we went back to Jenny's and it was another outdoor party. It was sunny, warm, and they have so many amazing animals that there is something for everyone. That night we got to have an amazing visit with Caleb's grandpa Bob. He was in a rehabilitation center, which is the same place he was the last time I saw him. He's in there for the same reasons, just a couple years apart. He is still very smart, kind, and funny. I'll never forget he said "Our dumb ass president Obama". Haha, never a question of his Republican heart. I know where Caleb's family gets it. We told him about our trip to Washington DC, our new business adventure, talked about our kids, reminded him that he baptized Caleb when he was 8. We were there for two hours and time flew by. We sure love that guy.

On Sunday we hit the road to come home. We woke up super early so we could get back and left Logan by 5:30 am. Since that's an hour early from our time, it felt super early! But I am so glad we left then because Calvin was sick. He's had a cough the whole time in Utah and the way home was the same. Really bad cough and he even threw up in the car. Luckily I had my emesis bag. Caleb was reaching for a plastic sack and he ripped it. But while I was driving I grabbed my trusty blue, got it in front of him in time. Then I died laughing as both Caleb and Shelby start to gag, freak out, and they start almost puking. Oh the drama never stops with this family of mine. We still had a good 10 hours to go and the car didn't smell great. Calvin did great, but there are drips for sure, and splatter, and he wiped it on his shirt. We made it home by 6:30 pm. The first thing we did is empty the car and throw everyone in the bath or shower. Oh how I missed Oregon water! Utah, you have nothing on this place! Until next time Utah.

Found a tractor store on the way to Utah. Kids loved climbing on everything.

Fun kids play museum in Utah

Ronin was in love with the baby area and the older kids could crawl around the other side

Water area that Ronin's legs got stuck into and we practically had to break it to get him out

Bath time with cousins Faye and Leah

Keith and Shelby

Grandma Wendy reading to Shelby

Calvin and Ronin loved the sheep

Bonfire time at Byington's

Shelby dressed and ready!

Our family right before the baptism

Shelby and Keith dragging sticks behind the wagon pulled by horses. Shelby fell off and Keith helped her and cheered her up immediately. It was so adorable.