Spring Break

We had the most lovely Spring Break in Utah.  It was so good to go home and to visit everyone.  It was a little busy and crazy getting everywhere, but it was so worth it so we could see all of our friends and family.

We arrived on Tuesday morning.  Baby did not like the plane ride.  He kicked me all the way up and all the way down.  My mom came and picked us up at the airport and we spent the rest of the day with her.  Mostly we ran some errands and hung out.  And we had real Mexican food at Mi Ranchito.  I often wish we had some real family style Mexican in Phillie.

Wednesday, my sweet mom gave me highlights and a hair cut that I've been needing badly.  After that Brad and I drove up to Farmington to see Grandma Packer and Aunt Carolyn.  On our way home we had dinner with Alissa and the girls (Ryan was stuck late at work.)  Both Ella and Anna have grown up so much since we last saw them in July.

Thursday was our busiest day.  First, we visited with Grandma and Grandpa Palmer.  Thursday was very momentous because that was the first time we've had Cafe Rio since we moved from Utah.  It was a very joyous day.  Aaron joined us for the occasion.  After lunch the boys went to play games and my mom met up with me so that we could go shopping.

You may wonder why Brad has a cake with "World's Best Father-In-Law" on it.  Well, once we got home from shopping we realized that the boys had been up to no good.  It involved some rough housing and one of my dad's plants ending up demolished.  Brad felt very bad about this to say the least.  My dad LOVES his plants.  Almost as much as he loves his dear children.  I believe there are plants in our house that are older than me.  He waters them, meticulously prunes them, he even talks to them.

Here comes in my dad's other great love, German chocolate cake.  Whenever one of us girls comes home we promise to make him German chocolate cake to prove who is his favorite.  Hoping to get back in my dad's good graces Brad made the cake and frosting almost entirely by himself.

It worked.  In my dad's words, "I'd rather have cake than a plant."

After finishing the cake, we went to dinner at Shoots with Aaron.  It's our favorite Chinese place and we miss it so much it Phillie.  We ordered all of our favorites.  Brad even had a great fortune.  We really could use some good luck.

After dinner we met up with my friend Hillary and had some dessert at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  It also gave us a chance to walk around the cutest children's toy store.  It was good to catch up with an old friend.  Once we got home we waited up for my sisters to arrive from St. George.  I've never before been worried about being mobbed.  Keeping my belly from being touched and caressed by my sisters was absolutely impossible.

Friday, all the girls went shopping for our family photo.  We were able to find something for everyone.  We had the photos taken later that afternoon.  I think we looked pretty good.

After a great family dinner, we went to Ryan and Shanda's for games with the Palmer family.  We taught them a new game we learned from our friends in Phillie called Wizards.

Saturday, we went up to Sandy and had breakfast with Ryan and Alissa, Doug (who happened to be in town for the weekend), and Aaron.  It was a pretty good gathering of Packers.   After this, Brad left for the airport to go home (he had classes on Monday.)  I went back to Alpine and got ready for the baby shower that my mother and sisters threw for me (I'll post about that later.)  Later that night I couldn't stop my sisters from once again having a go at my belly since baby boy was kicking me.  Can you tell they are excited for this baby?

Sunday was spent at church, spending time with family, and playing games.  Holly and Wayne stopped by to play with us.

Monday and Tuesday was spent with my mother and sisters.  We set up sewing camp in the family room.  We were able to finish both of my quilts for the baby.  My mom and sisters also worked on another quilt for baby boy.  Right now they are being finished so in a month or so I'll have them back and can show you how adorable they all turned all out.

Tuesday, I also went to lunch with my old roommate Shelley.  I love this girl so much and it was so great to sit and chat with her.  Shelley is one of the most amazing people I know and I'm very blessed to have her as a friend.  I'm so glad that she's moving to DC in just a few months so we can be closer and our babies can grow up knowing each other.

We loved our time in Utah.  It's odd that it feels a lot more like home than Phillie does for both of us.  A lot of our friends and family are there so it was great to feel so comfortable and, well, at home.  I'm so sorry if we missed anyone during our visit.  We were busy busy, but know we still love you too.