We were thrilled to be able to spend last week in Utah!  It was so nice to have a change of scenery and be surrounded by familiar people and sights!  We pulled in Monday evening and spent a nice night with Grandma and Grandpa.  On Tuesday morning, I took Alaina to play with her best friend back at Pages Place.  I was nervous about reopening the wound - she asked to play with her every day for a month after we moved, but I think it was good closure for her (and me!).  I noticed that I had forgotten my camera as we pulled out of Mom and Dad's neighborhood, but Alaina was in such a hurry to get there that she told me to forget about it.  I didn't turn around and I completely regret it.  Anyway, Alaina played with her friends, Connor spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa, I picked up some baby clothes from Theresa, then we all went to bed!


Wednesday we went up to Bear Lake. It was kind of a weird year in that we missed the Eyrings, spent two days with the Whites, and half a day with the Broadheads. The first thing on the agenda was heading down to the lake.  It sure was nice to have lots of beach this year!
















Watch out, now!







Everyone needs an aunt that will come and feed you candy every so often!




A Grandma whose lap is always open for naps doesn't hurt, either!




You know you're at Bear Lake when your hair looks like this!




That night, we tried Lakeside Pizza & Pantry.  It was really good!







After dinner, Marinda suggested that we walk a few blocks to the library to take a picture on a bench with cute carved bears.  I guess I was so distracted by the ice cream in my hand that I completely forgot the purpose of the picture and chopped the bears off in all of them!




At least Dad got the memo!  The Dietrichs sure know how to class things up!




On the walk back, we decided to try out the new go-kart course!  (Marinda, all the pics are up on Flickr...I took a lot, so I'm only posting a few here).  Alaina loved being chauffered by Grandpa and Connor took his driving VERY seriously.













The next day, on the way back up from the lake, Mike found a tiny frog that he let Alton catch!  He was so happy that he even willingly smiled for a picture! :)  These freckles are just precious.







Early Friday morning, the Broadheads made it up to the house.  Alaina had been just biding her time since we arrived, just waiting to play with Elle and Ava.  Poor girl came down with a stomach bug (VERY rare for her), so she could only play at the beach with them for a few minutes.  I was so sad for her!




34 week belly photo




Mom, Dad, and I were exhausted when we arrived back in Kaysville that night, but as usual, the kids were ready to get on to the next thing!  Dad played trains with Connor until bedtime.  Pictures like this tug at my heartstrings because I wouldn't be able to tally up the hours that Dad spent in the train room with him while we lived there for 20 months.




Saturday morning was spent at Mom and Dad's.  Grandpa and Connor planted this plum tree together two days before we moved. Yes, that does mean that any fruit it will bear in the future belongs solely to us. ;)




Grandpa's improvements to the tireswing did not go unappreciated!










Alaina was very serious about her job helping Grandma water her pots.




We loaded up and were on our way down to see the Eyrings, but not before the kids could ask Grandma for a bag of treats for the ride!




On the way down to Pleasant Grove, I saw a billboard for Macey's Kong Cones.  I haven't had one in over a decade, and at 8 1/2 months pregnant, DON'T MIND IF I DO!  No, I didn't eat the whole thing, but in all honesty, if I didn't feel self-conscious that I was out-eating Wes, I totally could have!







After a Cafe Rio dinner, the Eyrings made a campfire where we enjoyed a yummy dessert of fire-roasted candy!







All it took was an adorable, "Yours looks delicious, Tis!" for him to hand over his spoils! :)




Some night games and a tent-sleepover in the family room wrapped up the evening.







We awoke to a decadent breakfast prepared by Janet and Sean, then were on our way home!



Thanks to everyone who made time to see us!  We had a great visit, and I'm so glad that we were able to have a real summer vacation with those we love!  See you all in November, with one more little person in tow!