Our House: Utah Friends

Our trip to Utah did not begin well. We left home around 6.00 am, just a few minutes later than we had hoped, and due to traffic and a lack of help at the Southwest ticket counter we managed to miss our 8.20 am flight. They booked us on a later flight and so we had to spend 3 hours hanging around the airport. Luckily they have a pretty good play area at the Seattle airport and so we spent a lot of time there and then ate lunch because we knew we wouldn't get anything but the usual bag of peanuts to sustain us on the plane!

The plane left about an hour late and we had a stop in Spokane and lots of turbulence before we arrived in Salt Lake, just 5 hours later than we had originally planned. Luckily, all the kids slept through the whole flight since they had been up since before 6.00 am. We picked up the rental car and then headed down to Gateway to see if we could find jackets because it was colder than we had hoped for. After finding a couple of jackets for Spense and I we headed off to dinner with our great friends from Ohio, the Sundbergs. For some reason I didn't take the camera into the house and so I don't have photos of them, but it was so good to see them. They really are such nice people. The kids had a lot of fun playing basketball on their nice court outside and it was fun to chat and catch up.

Today we spent most of the day down in Provo. We really wanted to take the kids down to BYU to see all of the changes that have happened there. On the way through the stopped at Cafe Rio to enjoy some Mexican fare and remember that first date that Spense and I had enjoyed there. I am pleased to report that the food still tastes as good as I remembered. We met up with the Mutchlers while we were there. Chris had been one of Spenser's room mates in college and Amy had been in his ward. It was nice to see that they are all doing well and see how much their kids have grown since the last time we got together. I just love watching kids when they meet new kids. They tell each other their names and how old they are and then they just have fun being together. I wish that I could be that way when I meet new people.

The Cammacks and the Mutchlers
(Chris, Amy, Josie, Ryan and Ethan)

With satisfied bellies we made the short drive to BYU. We headed first to the bookstore to get some BYU apparel. Spense and Thomas are going to a BYU vs Washington State game in September and so we have to have all the kit of course. A good hour or so later we headed out all properly outfitted to enjoy some creamery ice cream and wander around campus. The kids thought that the ice cream was pretty great and they loved walking down the large staircase in the library. We of course took a moment to visit periodicals where we both used to work together after we were married and the isles in which Spense came to chat with me when we were dating. We were amazed at how much it has all changed. The Smith Family living center has had a dramatic makeover. The kids thought that the fountain they have put in the courtyard there was definitely a hot with the kids and they both asked for pennies for their "wish".

BYU #1

Outside the Periodicals section

Enjoying the fountain

B"Y" U!

Tonight we got to visit with the Chipmans. They were our bestest friends while we lived in Ohio and we wish that we were able to see them more. We were so lucky to be able to meet their new addition Grady Trevor. Heidi did a great job of timing that one. It was nice to eat dinner together and the kids had so much fun playing. It was also good to see the new super skinny Corey. Spense and I have both definitely been inspired. Thomas was so happy to get to see his Lanie. I still have high hopes that one day they will get married. We would love to be related to the Chipmans. Just like he always had Thomas made sure that he took care of Lane and when she couldn't find her cookie from Panda Express he quickly offered her his own. He truly is such a kind little boy. Olivia had lots of fun too and gave us some good tears when we told her that it was time to leave. We feel so lucky to have such great friends. We love and miss you all.