A grand time

Had a great time in Salt Lake. Best visit yet because I wasn't stressed about what I did or who I saw or worried about when I had to leave. Just enjoyed it for what it was. Had a great time with my sisters. Went to the park and to the Church History Museum with Erin where my mom volunteers . Went on walks and to see Harry Potter with Alex with butter beer, licorice wands, and golden snitches. We all went and got our nails done.

King Jakey's wedding was very tiring but so beautiful and perfect. It was so nice to spend some time with him and his new darling little wife. They had about a bazillion showers and were around a lot late at night for some good talks. I can't believe he is married and we'll have no more family weddings for many, many years. Unless one of us splits up says my mom...nice. We spent a lot of time watching old family videos and talking about memories of putting on plays together, going on trips, fighting, etc. We had a pretty marvelous childhood and it seems so weird that everyone is seemingly all grown up...but not really.

Saw lots of wonderful friends. Got to spend an entire day just hanging out with a couple of my college roommates and a million crazy kids. Met friends in the park and for dinner and for BBQs. Went to the zoo with my relatives and cute cousins. Met up with my sisters fam at the drive-in with Ben's little brother. Just had a grand time.

I plan to spend my July's in Salt Lake every year.

Beach Babies

Last week we met my family at Newport Beach. We go every year and stay right by the pier in a grubby, too small, kinda stinky beach condo. It's kinda like beach camping but we have been going my entire life and it's pretty great. I figured it would be a little crazy with the girls and there were certainly some screaming, sandy, rough moments-- but all in all it was one of the best years yet. Rosie and Evie loved the beach! They loved eating, crawling, and playing in the sand and were in love with the ocean. Watching the waves, crawling on the shore, splashing in the water, and swimming with mom and dad. True... it was a giant production to get them ready and drag them down there every day and an even bigger production to get them home about an hour later and de-sanded and down for nap while they were imploding---but worth it.

Ben didn't stay the entire week (blasted work) and things got a lot harder when I didn't have his hands to help. Three 1 year olds and one 2 1/2 year old (and a stomach bug) in close quarters meant someone was crying at almost any given moment. All the screaming cousins put a little damper on the trip for those expecting the same relatively quiet, relaxing trip of previous years--and I certainly don't blame them for getting annoyed. For better or for worse, that's the new normal for family time. Kids make things hard. Kids make things complicated. Kids make things noisy. But I reaqlly loved having them there. I did miss all the long hours of laying on the beach soaking up sun...but I wouldn't trade that for hearing Evie making whooping and delighted screeching sounds everytime a wave crashed at her feet. Kids make things fun.

Now I'm in SLC for a couple weeks because my little bro gets married next Thursday. I haven't been here since April and I think a longer stretch did me good. I'm feeling better. I FINALLY feel like I've figured out how to be gone and how to visit. I love being with my family and Salt Lake is so gorgeous it takes my breath away-- but I feel like I'm in a healthier place. Thus far I have had zero anxiety about the trip and squeezing in enough "fun" thing with as many people as possible. I'm thrilled to be here but I'm just taking it as it comes and not worrying about it. I miss Ben. I even miss Colorado a little...and that feels good.