The kids and I went to Idaho Falls and Salt Lake City for two whole weeks, and then my mom came back to VA with me! I have been so spoiled. Thank you mom and dad for making this possible and for my mister for working so hard for our family's comfort.
I LOVE so many people in UT and it is impossible to see everyone. Usually I invite peeps to an open house or group dinner to see everyone. But this time I tried to see people individually, and it made for a hectic but fulfilling trip. I was literally running from morning date to afternoon date to evening date while in UT. Super full. But no regrets because the kids handled it extremely well.
I learned from this vacation that I need people. I felt loved. I felt appreciated. I remembered why I love the city, the attractions and the atmosphere of SLC. Everything is much more accessible and the people I know tend to congregate there. At the end of the trip I told a friend, "Why don't I live here!?!" She almost didn't believe her ears.
Because I need people I treasure my decision to see friends individually. Friendships need attention or they will wither. My relationships were reconnected and my soul flourished during these two weeks.
Here are the pix, in reverse chronological order.....
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| back in VA with my mom's siblings |
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| My lady made amazing progress in crawling and physical strength this trip. All the soft carpeted floors helped. |
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| My mission presidents. Such mentors worth holding on to. Oh, and my head is huge. I was holding the camera so I'm way closer. :) |
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| Kar's new baby! My newest nephew. Congrats Klance! |
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| my sweet nieces and nephew |
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| at the park the Guy wandered off and made two gorgeous friends who were sun bathing. They got a kick out of his flirtations. |
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| feeding the ducks with Esme.... ignore all the nast in the water |
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| sweet macaroons with one of the sweetest women I know |
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| JouJou's toy store at the Grand America. Thanks Adrienne for the suggestions. This store is a hidden kid treasure. |
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| The guy loved watching Grpa ref basketball. It was his first live basketball experience. He talked about it for days. A kid after my own bball heart. |
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| the house of the Lord |
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| such a loyal, loyal friend! I have amazing friends. |
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| one of the highlights of my trip, seeing this woman! Why don't you live by me!?!?! |
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| Congratulations to the new parents! She is incredibly lucky to have you. And I was so lucky to be a part of these heavenly moments. |
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| Deborah came from Logan. Thank you, love. I have the best girlfriends on the planet. Man, I miss you chica! |
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| Mmmm cilantro. Ha, surrounded by grma's meds. |
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| Mija de la mision! You make me so happy, Syd! ILY! |
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| man, I adore my kids! |
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| hanging out with second cousins |
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| I loved Aunt Jenn's suggestion to get In & Out for lunch. A western treasure. |
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| the cousins have pet ducks. super cool. |
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| she finally seems interested in feeding herself finger foods. this is mango. |
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| happy father's day! |
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| Church with my parents. They are in the same ward as Elder Ballard, Elder Oaks, and a few members of the 70. We attended church with Elder Ballard on Father's day. Muy suave. |
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| High School 10 year reunion fun. I never, ever would have thought I'd go to this, but since I was in town I decided I'd have fun anyway. Thanks to my date, Esme for making the whole fiasco worth it. |
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| running in to friends at the Farmer's market. The SLC market is one of the best that I've seen in the nation. I <3 SLC and Boise farmer's markets. |
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| L's new doll from the market |
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| Running in to more friends at the market. I always run into the Shaffer's at the farmer's market. I have run in to them there for three summers in a row now. Birds of a feather, right? |
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| I turned around from chatting with my Amy Jo love to find this courageous boy |
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| besties, their mothers hope |
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| One of the highlights! Great women can be hard to find in this world, but I have incredible girlfriends. |
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| Great grma Ondricek and Aunt Linda. I wish I knew more about our extended Ondricek family. |
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| a gift from great grma O |
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| We stayed with the kids' great grandparents on Jared's side. I enjoyed every single moment with these amazing people. If we lived closer I would spend an evening with them every week. They have left us with an unbeatable heritage. |
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| he adores his great grand kids |
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| snuggles with Great Grma while watching Jungle Book. |
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| we heart aunt Mary! |
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| have I mentioned I have the most amazing friends!?! These two are going to change the world and I'm so lucky to know them. |
I had to visit my alma mater and catch up with my SW professors. They have shaped my future and I love them.
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| uncle Benny loves |
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| our first home. the attic ghetto. |
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| I cannot express the joy that I felt to have my little sister and my beloved school together. I LOVE that she lives there now. |
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| i love my school |
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| my lovelies in IF. I miss you Britt, and you need to take a vacation and come visit me. I will give you lots of TLC. |
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| picking fresh strawberries at Aunt Karla's |
Thank you to everyone we saw in UT and ID. I enjoyed every single day and have no regrets about how I spent my time. Thank you for reminding me I'm loved and that God's always surrounded me with angels in my life.
