Unexpected Vacations

I am so grateful for my family, who made it possible to come out to Utah for my grandmother's funeral from the smallest city I've ever lived in, and on such short notice. I will miss my grandma dearly, but I know I will see her again someday and I am glad she is no longer in pain. Here is all the family at the grave site that could make it.

Daphne, Jordan, McCartney, Linsey, Bridger, Kim, Norah, Jared, Malachi, Lily, Mom, Dad, Me, Felicity, and Brandon. 

 I decided to extend my stay for a whole month as Bryan was going to be in the field for 3.5 weeks playing Army. Why not? I don't have a job...yet. My flight to Utah ended with lost luggage and then "severely damaged" (per the message machine) as they dropped it off in a plastic bag. The only thing I was really upset about were my new black boots- fortunately they were repairable. This is what my CHI came back looking like...

...and here is my make up bag, toothbrush holder, hair brush, and luggage bag.

I kept pretty busy during my visit. I moved out my grandmothers belongings, had a large garage sale consisting of my sisters, grandma, and parents items, moved all of my sisters belongings into her newly purchased condo in Park City, biked across the Salt Lake Valley, and hiked American Fork Canyon. 

I forgot how beautiful Utah is in the Fall. But I also realized how I am used to warm weather. I was always cold, even when others around me were wearing shorts and flip flops!

 My sisters threw a baby shower for me since I didn't really have any plans of returning to Utah in the next 2 to 3 months. It turned out better than I could have imagined!

Yellow and grey was the theme, since that is the color of the soon to be nursery.

The food was delicious. Lemon and strawberry cupcakes, chicken salad sandwiches, carmel apples, chocolate dipped strawberries, & cheese and crackers.

My parents and I then took a week trip down to Phoenix/San Diego for my nephew Maxwell's birthday and of course, to visit my brother and his family. My mother got Max this awesome Power Ranger costume. 

 While in San Diego, we visited the Midway Navy Battleship, the beach/boutique shopping district of Solana, Old Town San Diego, and the Mormon Battalion.

This is a picture of a statue poking my 24 week belly. We thought of other "funny" positions, but there were too many people around.

 Dad, Maxwell, James, Benson, and Brandon saluting. Love that Benson is using both of his hands!

 The whole gang.

I got to spend a lot of one on one time with my parents, which has been nice as I have been away for the last 4 years. They make me laugh all the time. They really enjoyed having my around too and seeing me grow fatter because of baby Ahlborn. On our way up from San Diego, we made a sleep stop in Mesquite, NV. I gambled for my first time and won $9! Bryan was so proud.

The next morning we drove to Kanaraville, UT and hiked up a slot canyon called Kanara Falls. I tried so hard not to get my feet wet at the beginning, but toward the end it was inevitable. The water was numbingly freezing. It was a nice break from the car.

When we got back to my parents house, we traveled to Kim's house to visit her newest addition who was only 1.5 days old. I was so worried I'd miss seeing the baby, but Kim pulled through and delivered just in time! He was a big, chunky baby as you can see with his cheeks. I just wanted to hear him cry, but he was all about sleep. Made me excited for my little one to come :)

 I was so excited to see and be with Bryan after being away for nearly a month! He was glad to be home from the field too. He completed over 100 eye exams and made over 100 eyewear for soldiers, which was awesome given he doesn't do much Optometry as a company commander. I love him and am excited to start working on the baby room and welcoming baby Ahlborn.