It's hard to believe that there is any more I can say or show after suuuucccchhhh a long part 1 recap, but here I go with Spring Break in Utah, part 2!
The second half of our Spring Break was all about making and spending time with each of our family members in their own space (I guess you could say the first half was the same, but mostly just with the Idaho McKees). We visited Kate and Brendan's first married apartment, spent the day with Care at her house and picked up Lacey-Lou and Spence at their respective schools. We visited Bryce at his office and a couple days later Jordan at his office and the kids are basically ready to work for and with both of them because they're so dang cool! And of course, we stayed with the Tat's who made everyday magical and comfortable and delicious and easy. This trip more than ever I wanted our family to feel how loved they are by me and us little Wigs, because they are! It is such a privilege to be their sister and aunt, by birth or by marriage, and over and over again I marveled at how blessed I am to be eternally associated with the lot of them. They are good people who are currently and who will continue to do great things in this world and my heart beats for them.
Anyway, I'm trying (and failing) to make part 2 a little less wordy than it's counterpart, so on to pictures:
Kate and Brendan live in the cutest little apartment near BYU campus and were so kind to have us over, PJ's and all, after a full day of swimming and playing together at the Rec Center. They were the cutest hosts, popping fresh popcorn and making brownies for the kids and setting up the Wii on their projector screen to keep them entertained. I think the kids were most impressed by the powder that flavored the popcorn, but I was most impressed that this young couple, who are clearly enamored by one another, are creating a home and life and family together. And a lovely one at that. These two are at a crossroads of sorts since they'll both be graduating this month, and though some details about the future are still a little fuzzy what is crystal clear is that they will take each step, make each decision, conquer each goal hand in hand. I love that about them and am excited to watch their life unfold. (And PS, I'd be lying if I didn't say that my heart is set on them moving in our direction!)
We all look a little tired (and in my case un-make-uped) but I wasn't going to miss my opportunity to take a picture with these two in their first home. There's a special spirit of love and youth and potential in a couple's first little nest and it was strong in theirs. Also, I'm still dreaming about their closet. My house may be a little bigger than their apartment, but their closet has me beat by A LOT!
The two most important things about this picture are that 1) Blake is the dreamiest baby with those cheeks and those lips and those kind, deep brown eyes. I kept sending James texts saying, "Doesn't he look like he could be ours?" He really does! Oh, I loved hugging him, and I'd take him home with me if that was an option. 2) I know I've mentioned this before, but the natural light in Care and Bryce's house is unreal. It's so bright and cheery and inviting and it's hard not to feel happy when the sunshine is just pouring through the windows. We had planned a few adventures for the day, but after the park and school pick up and lunch the kids started playing and Care and I started talking and we just sat on her comfy couch in that gorgeous living room and chatted the hours away. Carolyn is so wise and kind and has a heart that I'm literally convinced is full of gold and so you better believe I soaked up all of her goodness. One of my favorite things about her is that she's never complacent, she's always trying to be more and better and she's such an example to me there, especially since I often feel my life is Groundhog's Day! It was a great day spent by her side and it left me hungry for another visit.
Every time we've gone to Care's house my kids have begged to go to this park right around the corner. It's never worked before, but this time we cut out a morning so that they could play. This structure was right up T's alley and he basically spent the whole time going up and down this in different ways. I feel like in California this would be a lawsuit waiting to happen but I'm so grateful that that's not the case where Care lives!
Spencer's preschool was a little kid's dream world, with brightly colored rooms, art closets full of paper and paint and adventure, and a real castle full of toys and dress-up. He was beaming as he showed us around, that little doll-face.
We went to see Bryce's office and to say it was cool is most definitely an understatement. There's a fully-stocked kitchen full of treats and meals, scooters to ride around the office, funky wallpaper and paintings all over the walls, a video game room and a ping pong table and a foosball table and a whole lot of employees who look so young and so hip and like such great co-workers. He is so happy there and I'm so happy for him and for their family!
Avery is still new to gymnastics but it's almost as if her body, her mind, her heart were made for the sport. She keeps getting moved up from level to level because she's so skilled and advanced and is now with a pre-competition team. I had the opportunity to go watch her practice one day and it was such a thrill to watch her flip and cartwheel and back spring around that place. At one point she did something amazing and I started clapping and cheering, only to find out that clapping and cheering is not the norm at weekly gym practice, whoops! Well, I guess that's because a super proud Heddy is not usually at gym practice! I love that baby girl so much and watching her succeed makes me giddy.
It was a HUGE week for Everett Knight. He stepped far, far, FAR outside his comfort zone this week and learned how to both ride a bike and swim--what, what! He has so much talent and ability but sometimes fear and doubt get the better of him but this week we worked hard on positive talk ("I CAN ride a bike!" "I'm a bike rider!" "I can do hard things!" "I can do anything!" "I'm a swimmer, I can swim!" etc.) and he accomplished something magnificent. I am so proud of him, we all were really, and it was great to not only see the physical improvement but the mental one. It also reminded, or maybe even taught me, that I need to be their for support but also to push him to reach his full potential.
Talmage and Tris spent hours lying on the lawn together, playing catch and plotting how we could sneak her back to California with us--or at least adopt one of her siblings! He is crazy for that dog, and dogs in general, but it's just not the right time for our family to take on that responsibility. For now, thank goodness there is Tris!
I love my little Lucy-Goosey! She's such a big girl in such a little body and it was hilarious to see the things she did and hear the words she uses. My top two Lucy-isms are the way she makes up songs and confidently sings them to any audience and the way she'll just sit on the couch for hours watching a movie while the adults play games. She's always up for a hug and an adventure and maybe even a shameless selfie!
I can't believe this is the first time I've visited Jordan's office, especially since it's only five minutes from their house, but alas--this was the first time I've visited Jordan's office. I was not disappointed, and with the basketball court, nerf gun room and free swag neither were my children. Mostly I was impressed that this office, the building, the employees, the great work they're producing is the work of my brother's brain and hands and heart. He is a dreamer and a builder and has so much faith in himself and those around him. I'm really proud of the work he's doing and the man he's becoming and as a water bottle connoisseur, I'd have to say his were top notch! It was great to visit him in his space.
Three mamas and nine kids at the Jordan River Temple Open House was, well, a little busy. There were a couple of criers, a pouter, a few runners and lots of touchers. The lines were long and the kids were fidgety but at the end Talmage, the oldest cousin, left saying that he loved the Celestial Room and was so excited to go to the temple when he turns 12 and that he learned so much about what I do in the temple, so even if we were 1/12 on feeling the spirit in those walls it was SO WORTH IT!
I've realized more than ever on this trip that I am guilty of bribing to the tenth degree. Right here was a pick your favorite treat at Target bribe, and now I can't even remember why! (To note: gum for everyone except Lincoln who wanted a bag of Doritos!)
I'm convinced that there's a portion of my heart saved just for my sister. There's never a time I don't want to be with her and don't want to be more like her. I seriously crave her time and attention and being together just makes me want more! She is kind and giving and fun, she has all domestic genes that skipped right over the top of me, she is smart and empathetic and sometimes just the right amount of spicy. Obviously I'm not hiding my desire to be her twin in the picture above, what with the matching stripes, matching vans and matching smiles! You better watch out Ash, I may just purchase the land to the right of your place and build myself a matching house as well! Love you sis, I know you know but probably more than you'll ever know!
We looked like we belonged in Walmart at midnight on Friday night, hahaha! It's kind of a tradition that we get last minute Easter treats together before I make the drive back to California and even though we were hammered and had little motivation, we rocked our trip together. My personal favorite moments were when I made Ash try on a bathing suit over her clothes because the dressing rooms were closed and when she answered a phone in the store that kept on ringing and pretended to be a Walmart employee! Shopping with her is the best anywhere, but maybe especially at Walmart!!!
We didn't think these two little love bugs would last more than a few minutes, but they begged to have a sleepover in Avery's bed the night before we were leaving and knowing that it would be an adorable photo, we agreed (wink wink). They laughed and talked and then before we knew it they both rolled over and went to bed. Oh these two sweet, kind and good second children. Man, are they loved.
Since we left Provo in the 5 o'clock hour, St. George was the perfect pitstop for donuts and potty breaks and a little park playtime. Now let me tell you, donuts are my jam and I know a good donut when I taste one and this place recommended with 5 stars on Yelp was AMAZING! It's called Daylight Donuts and let me tell you a story to illustrate how yummy these things are. We ordered a donut for each of us and then a dozen donut holes to share and before we even left the store we were done with the bag of donut holes and went and ordered two extra dozen. Oh my gosh they were good, and I really can't stop thinking about them.
I also can't stop thinking about this trip. It was such a wonderful adventure and I'm so grateful for all the people that allowed us to share our time with them. Until next year Utah...
...although let's be honest, I'll probably be back sooner rather than later!
