Home Bodies

We made a quick trip to Utah over the weekend, and it was over before we knew it!

It's a long trip in the car. Thank goodness for snacks, treats and our in-car DVD player. Yaks said, "I wanna go home" after hour two on the road. Oh, boy. The kids were really excited to stay in a "hole-tel" and swim in the pool, so that was our big incentive in getting to our first stop of Boise (a mere six hours away). We traveled to my Mom and Dad's the next afternoon. There's just something special about being reunited with your own "mommy". The big hug upon entering the house, raiding the fridge, treats coming out of the woodwork, and just listening to my parent's familiar voice filling us in on all the family news - uninterrupted. My sister, Cath perfectly describes many of the things I love about visiting home in her blog. It was brief, but wonderful. The kids enjoyed getting reacquainted both with their cousins as well as Grandma's well-stocked toy shelves.

Cousin Owen and Scout explore the snow

The kids have been cherishing a commercial on TV for the Play-Doh ice cream shoppe. They want to rewind it and watch it over and over. Imagine their surprise when my mom unknowingly pulled one out of the closet for the kids to play with.

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!"

Their expression read, "There really is a Santa Claus!"

Thanks to Cath for coming up with her boys so we could see them, and to Marie for sacrificing her bedroom for us!

The next afternoon Josh went to lunch with his former boss, and kids and I went to visit cousin Sarah. We had a great time catching up and oohing and aaaahing over eachother's babies, while the kids played with cars.

Second Cousins - Diddles and Tyler

We had one of these car mats as kids!

We all had a nice little visit with our dear next-door neighbor, Dell. It was strange pulling onto our street, but knowing that it isn't our home anymore. That was kind of difficult for me this whole trip, feeling like I was home, but not really. Boo hopped out of the car (parked in Dell's driveway) and looked at our house and said, "Hey! This is the house where we used to live!" and immediately grabbed one of the little seed pods that fall from the tree that litter the ground in the fall and winter. The kids used to entertain themselves for hours collecting those pods and shelling out the seeds. It was nice to see they hadn't totally forgotten.

Funny quote of the trip came from Dell: "Amy, don't take this the wrong way, but you've put on a few pounds since having the baby! That's all right. I think women should have a little more meat on their bones." And that's another reason why I love Dell. He says it like it is. And when it was time for us to go, he put an arm around each of us and said, "Awe, hell. I miss you guys." We miss you too, Dell.



The remainder of our trip we spent with Nana and Papa. The weather was quite a bit warmer down in Salt Lake, so the kids were able to do some things outside.

Diddles just awakened from her nap.
I'm a bit "tender" when I just wake up too.

We met up with Angie and Rob for lunch, and Josh and I snuck away Saturday night for a real date (the first in almost six months)! We went to Sampan for Chinese food and then to Nielsen's for Concretes. Delicious.

Sunday we attended our old ward to hear one of Josh's former Young Men deliver his homecoming talk. I miss our dear friends, and it was so nice to be greeted with warm hugs and friendly smiles. I truly didn't want to leave!

Annette sets a beautiful table, and we all enjoyed a yummy Valentine's/Birthday dinner with Glaus' bakery cakes for dessert, and visiting with Bestafar (Josh's Grandpa), and Paige (Josh's Aunt).

Chocolate Mint - Josh's favorite

I love this little statue with the birds and the bird bath. Annette said that the story is that if you turn them a certain direction, it's supposed to let your "love" know that you are upset, and need to talk.
Is that right Annette? Anyway, I think it's a sweet little statue.

Tim and his girlfriend Becky stopped by, and it was fun to catch up and get acquainted.

Tim enjoying the potpourri of a baby head - nothing sweeter

"Nice to meet you!"

We headed for home on Monday morning, and rolled into our driveway before it got dark. I think we were just shy of a 10 hour drive (with Josh behind the wheel). When I tucked Boo into bed she said with a sigh, "I'm happy we're home." In an odd way, that made me really glad.