We are finally back in the United States! We feel bitter sweet about this, but we are excited for our new adventures...although road trips in the U.S. just aren't as fun as Europe. There are no Castles just around the river bend!! Still, we are slowly getting readjusted. The flight back to the states was uneventful. We were on Luftansa and each of us had our own video screen with all the in flight movies free to choose from. It was smooth sailing! Then we hit D.C. drove the 2 hours to our next digs, got our keys, unloaded some luggage and repacked, drove 2 hours back to D.C., hopped on another plane, and flew to Las Vegas, picked up a rental van, drove to hotel, and the next morning we drove to Utah.
Sounds exhausting just reading about it!!
We had a great time while in Utah reconnecting with family and friends who most of us haven't seen for a couple of years. One of the most exciting events during our visit was Cora's baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are so excited for her that she made this choice!
Here she is on her big day!
Getting ready to be baptized, Dad is going to perform the ordinance.
3 down, two more to go...the next one will be a double wham!
After her baptism and confirmation
She looks so happy!
Our attempt at getting a group shot of the all the kids.
Jack wasn't very cooperative, not sure what his deal was this trip. Every time we tried to get him to take a picture he would throw a royal tantrum! I am chalking it up to jet lag?!
We had the awesome surprise of several of our dear friends (family really) we knew in Germany come for the baptism. They all were either living in Utah now or visiting, but it made the day that much more special!
Here is the group shot of all the family and friends that were able to make it.
It turned out beautiful, and a special shout out in Thanks to all those that participated and made it such a neat event!
The next day we had her 2nd "White" pictures taken. Yes I know there is a finger in the picture! Anyway, somehow during the trip her feet grew like a size in a week and her white Sunday sandals didn't fit anymore...she was getting horrible blisters from wearing them. So Aunt Trudy bought her this soft, fuzzy blue slippers to wear. She loves them!
at the splash park near my parents house.
we spent some time visiting with Great-Grandma Gale
The girls added to the puzzle Grandma always has going.
She is a pro...look at that organization!
There goes Jack again with his anti-picture taking attitude!
We missed the 4th of July, but in Utah we celebrate the 24th of July as Pioneer Day and we can do fireworks. So we had an awesome family BBQ and did fireworks with all our cousins!
One of the favorites are the strobe fireworks...everyone gets up and we have ourselves a
DANCE PARTY!
When ever I am in Utah I try to get together with my three besties from High School. It is so much fun for me to see them and reconnect, and to see their kids. Everyone has grown up so much!! We have been doing this for years, since our oldest kids were babies, now they are all teenagers or close to it!
There are 12 kids between us all, 11 are in the picture.
That's a lot of kids!
But what a fun day it was!!
About 5 blocks from where my parents live is the old Provo Tabernacle. I have such fond memories of this building. We would go there for church (Stake) Conferences, special events, concerts, and I graduated form my religion seminary class in this building. Well, several years ago there was a major fire and the building was destroyed....or so we thought...
The LDS Church has decided to restore this historical building and convert it into a Temple. It has been an amazing process. My family has been following it's progress in the news since we lived in a different country. But during our visit we went down a couple times to see it. They have gutted out the inside, but kept the outer, original brick walls in tact. Then the supported the structure on stilts and dug out beneath and around it, to build the basement facilities and parking. Simply amazing!
I can't wait to see it when it is complete!
How jealous (in a good way) am I that my parents will have a temple within walking distance of their home!
The closest we have been to a temple in the last 8 years is 2 hours...It would be heaven to be able to just walk to one!
It was a great trip, sure makes us realize how much we miss family! Hopefully we will be closer again soon!
