We don't get a "fall break" in our district. However, due to PT Conferences the girls had a couple of days off. Since we didn't make it to Utah at all this summer, we decided to make a quick trip to see family. The original plan was to pick up Bay on the way, but several weeks before the scheduled trip she decided she wouldn't be able to go. She gets really stressed about missing class and on top of that she was participating in The Big Event service day that would be that Saturday. So we put together some little goodies to "Boo" the grandparents and dropped one off for Bailee on our way (hers had gloves instead of Peeps)
We caught her in between classes so we literally hugged her at the curb, met her friend Ashley, and headed on our way. We arrived at Grandpa & Grandma Smith's in time to have pizza with them and a few of our favorite cousins;) These girls are so fun to be with!
... and these ones too!
The boys were feeling a little outnumbered .....
Friday morning we got up early and helped Grandpa and Grandma with some yard clean up. I personally love the crunching of leaves all over the ground, but I can also appreciate that it will turn messy once the snow comes.
We washed windows and cleaned out the rain gutters
There were so many leaves to rake! Since I was vetoed on leaving them on the ground I at least wanted to put them in bags for some fall decor.... but I was shot down there too.
Instead they were hauled to the garden for compost
We spent some time thinning out the apple trees and picking a bag for ourselves.
Kars found this one that was just about perfect with leaf and stem.
We wrapped things up around noon.
Loved that we were able to spend some time helping them get ready for winter.
Friday night Gma Cheryl was hosting Cousin Night. The kids that were in town all went to the Forties for hot dogs, a movie and some time together with Gpa & Gma. This is the best photo I got from my girls and almost all of them had this hand in them {must of been a hit}
While the kids were having their fun, some of the adults went out to dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Oh how I've missed Spinach Tortellini, Creamy Pesto and Spumoni. They have one in Denver, but for some reason I only have the longing to go when were in Utah.
It was as yummy as I remember and the company was even better.
Saturday we went with all that wanted to join us out to Gardner Village for WITCHFEST. Boy, was our timing bad. They had a special event going on for Wee Witches and the place was packed!
Mark managed to find some space and even a witch to snap a photo with {impressive;}
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| love that he captured Hazen's reaction |
We did our best to slog through the crowds and complete our witch hunt.
It was difficult to keep the "grumpies" at bay but we pushed through and worked hard to get those that were interested their .50 cookie:)
Jami saw a chance to snatch a big table and she jumped on it! It was a great way for us to all gather and those that wanted to eat could grab a bite.
The lines for food were long everywhere. They had some food trucks on site as well and we tried the Taco and Cluck Truck. Neither were great but the tacos were definitely better than the chicken.
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| Plaid sisters |
Crowds seem to wear people out. We called it a day and gave Leslie a ride to her place. All the people sorta ruined it. Why do they have to think a beautiful fall day at Gardner Village sounds like a good idea? ;)
I guess for the same reasons I do.
I can't help it. I look for any reason to get the family together.
Spent the evening relaxing at the grandparents. These two found their comfy spots!
We also played some Mad Gab with Gma ... fun times!
We loved our visit, and it is always so hard to leave. We got on the road around 8 Sunday morning to head home. We made a stop in Laramie to see our girl and have some dinner with her. We also got to meet some of her friends this time which was so fun. I see pictures and hear about them so I kinda felt like I knew them. They seemed every bit as nice as Bailee has described.
It was good for momma to get to talk to them in person:)
While we were busy in Utah, Bay was busy with THE BIG EVENT. This was the fifth annual UW event.
"Through service-oriented activities, The Big Event promotes campus and community unity as UW students come together for one day to express their gratitude for the support from the surrounding community".
Bailee was a part of the Laramie Foster Closet, an organization that provides aid to the foster care community.
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| she's at the end of the center row of tubs ...aqua jacket:) |
