March Mainland Trip

And we're here! After our not-so-restful red-eye flight from Honolulu to Salt Lake City, Alan, Lynette and boys met us at the airport during our layover before our flight connected us to Idaho Falls. They brought us breakfast-THANK YOU GIFFORDS!-bagels, yogurt, and smoothies. (They didn't tell us it had spinach until after we drank it.) Such an awesome way to start our trip!

What kid doesn't like playing on the escalator?!

Cute Jakey!

We began our trip at the Burtons to give us a chance to adjust to the time change. Jill made her famous Mickey Mouse pancakes for us.

We love the Meek Family!

(My socks are mismatched on purpose-I am a fan of fun socks, but the only time I put socks on now is when I am exercising. And unfortunately even that hasn't happened much lately. So I enjoy wearing socks when we are back on the mainland.)

Bob was amazing Brynlee with his "magic" trick making his pen disappear and re-appear. Looks like someone is ready to be a Grandpa! It was so fun listening to them both laugh together! It kept her entertained for quite awhile.

Brynlee tring to see if she could make it disappear.

Making St Patrick's Day cookies with Jill
We, unfortunately, spent the beginning of our trip sick. Whitney and half of Melinda's family got Influenza B so we were quarantined to the Burton's basement so we didn't share germs. It was killing us that we were so close but didn't get to be together. Luckily everyone was mostly better before the baptism.

Silly Faces!

Dinner with Brian and Kalene

Mike and Brian met in Honduras and were roommates at Ricks the semester before Mike and I started dating. It was fun re-connecting with them.

All the kids-Sterling is seriously out-numbered when we add our four girls to their three! It is so fun to watch kids pick up where they left off. They had a lot of fun together!

Somehow I didn't get a picture of Aunt Judie, but we were so happy to get to have the Jensens at the baptism to share in Kenna and Bekah's special day!

Grandma and Kait hanging out watching the fun. After the baptism, we joined the Johanson party at their hotel pool.

Bailee's family couldn't make it to the baptism, but we asked if we could borrow her for the weekend, so she got to come up from UT. It was so fun having her-she is such a doll! Even though they don't get to even talk much they are still such good friends. This is a friendship that will last forever!

Morgan and Jessica

I had the hardest time getting a picture of these four! They wouldn't all hold still at the same time!

Silly kids!

All the Johanson girl cousins-Bryn wouldn't smile for anything. I think she was a little overwhelmed with all the festivities from the baptism.

Mike and all his sibs

Driving to UT to give Bailee back to her family. SO glad she could spend the weekend with us! These three laughed and talked the whole way.

Well-almost the whole way. Kenna crashed about 10 mins away from Bailee's house.

Bryn and Aunt Stef

Beautiful Wasatch Front

Jimmy is learning to play the trombone-just like Uncle Mike and his brothers, so he put on a little concert for us.

Then it was Mike's turn-he hasn't played a trombone since high school. :) We were all impressed!

Goodbyes are never fun! :( After the baptism we moved the party (minus Jonathan and family) to Jenna's house. It was nice to have a little more time that wasn't quite so crazy.

After our party at Jenna's we moved to Lynette's.

One day Uncle Alan instigated a "war" that was SO fun! We put the play tents up as the dividing line and used all soft toys as ammo. Adults vs the kids. I LOVE making fun memories like these! There was lots of laughter all around. We also tried again to have a Phase 10 re-match, but Alan must be too afraid to lose to me. The first game started when I went to Kansas in 2008 when Jake was born. (Jakey was on my team.) But we never finished the game. The next time was at our family reunion in Oregon and when Alan started to lose Jake conveniently "needed" him. Apparently Jake is still on my team. :) Another game began at their house this trip but we only made it half-way through the game. I'm pretty sure he is mostly just scared! :)

Kaitlyn and Aunt Nette just chilling

Sisters' Date

Em, Lynette, Me and Jess-letting our hair romantically blow in the wind.

These sisters adopted us when we moved to MT-we had so much fun with them in HS and continue to create awesome memories with them. LOVE THESE GIRLS!

We went bowling and laughed SO MUCH! From hassling the poor guy trying to do his job to Jess struggling to get on the board to our left-handed round, we had a blast!

On our way back up to Idaho, we stopped to spend some time with Jas and his kids. (Katy was working.) I didn't get any pics of all the kids, only Sienna and Bryn. They were so cute together!

SNOW!
What is this white stuff?!

This trip was a little tricky, we had to buy pants and shoes and jackets. Luckily we had cousins to borrow some stuff from to supplement the things we bought. I have to admit I do miss the crisp air and sleeping under a blanket! We know it is cool in Hawaii when we turn off the ceiling fan at night!

Back at Melinda's we had a girl party and french tipped/stickered everyone's toes.

Cute kids! We miss living 2.1 miles away!!!

The birthday girls-we made rolly pancakes for them to have since Bekah hadn't had hers yet.

Kait and Aunt Melinda

The day before we left it snowed a few inches overnight. When Bryn woke up and looked outside she was amazed that it was "all white!" They loved getting to play in the snow before we left for home.

YUM! Can't enjoy the snow without tasting it!

Caloway and Kait

Maren (a friend from our old neighborhood) came to play with the girls-once again it was so fun to see them not even skip a beat even though they haven't seen each other for awhile.

Mike and Dale BBQ-ing with snow patches on the ground. It's never to early to BBQ! Awhile ago we were BBQ-ing in Hawaii and the girls commented that the only thing missing was the Desmonds. It was so great to live so close and get to spend so much time with them! Maybe again someday.

Cousin sleepover the night before we left for home.

Trips are never long enough and filled with WAY too many goodbyes! But lots of great memories too!