Girls Road Trip

Last month, I went on a Road Trip with my Girl Friends. Four of us friends from High School hopped into the car and drove to Kansas City Missouri to see our Dear friend Annalee.

Day 1. We drove 18 hours in ONE day. It was the most driving I have ever done in one single day. We left at 4:30 in the morning and arrived in Kansas City at 11:00 that night. Brett and I have gone on MANY road trips together. Brett has always done MOST of the driving. I think I have only driven two hours of all our trips together. So, my biggest concern was.... was I going to be able to drive more than 2 hours at a time. I was so proud of myself. I drove the first leg of eight hours and drove all the way to Denver. I really think it helped driving through Aspen and Vail. It was so beautiful. It was almost like the trees were glowing. 

All four of us were in the Utah Valley Children s Choir together. We've been on many Tours across the US. This trip kind of turned into a mini choir tour. We sang to old Choir cd's, reminisced about past tours, cried, laughed, talked and talked and talked. 

One of the reasons we all went was to help Annalee decorate a Wedding. She's a Wedding Planner in Kansas City and had two weddings planned for the same day. Originally, Melissa was just going, but when we all heard she got a baby, we all had to go.  

Day 2 we started on the Wedding Preparations. Melissa Annie, and Lisa were in charge of the beautiful flowers. Annalee's house smelled wonderful. 

And I........ Was put in charge of this Sweet Little One. 

I got the best job, Hands DOWN.

 

 I had so much fun. I got to snuggle with her, gave her a bath, played dress up, and loved every minute.

That night, we headed out for some Kansas City Barbecue. Annalee and her husband Alexander took us to their favorite restaurant, Jack Stack. It was SO VERY GOOD.

Day 3, was the day of the weddings. We headed to the wedding we were in charge of and started decorating. i really enjoyed seeing the Bridal Party getting ready for the big day. I caught a glimpse of the Father of the Bride waiting outside the dressing room just waiting to see his daughter in her Wedding Dress. It was very sweet.

After the decorating was finished we headed to the Temple. It was so neat to be in the Temple with these sweet girls.

After the Temple, we needed to kill some time before it was time to go back to the wedding to clean up. so we headed to the mall for some shopping. I absolutely LOVE shopping with my Girl Friends. Shopping with them is so much fun. We discovered our new FAVORITE store. Charming Charlies. This store has all kinds of accessories in every color you could think of.  Purses, necklaces, bracelets, shoes, scarfs etc, etc, etc..... We were all in a daze.

After a LIFE REVOLUTION shopping spree we headed back to the wedding to clean up. It always amazes me how much faster clean up is verses the decorating.

Day Four was Sunday. We headed to church. There we were able to meet the wife of the Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach. She was so very nice. 

After church, we headed out for some church history sites. First, we went to Carthage Jail.I had been there once before, but this time it had such an impact on me. 

Then we headed to Adam-ondi-ahman. 

We got their at dusk. It was so beautiful. 

But..... The mosquitoes were so thick, we didn't stay long.

Annalee is an amazing Chief. That night She cooked a delicious German meal for us. I can't even remember what it was called. But it was amazing.

Day 4 was our last day with Annalee. We went Back to Charming Charlies. :) Went to lunch, went to World Market so we could all buy the ingredients to make the meal Annalee cooked for us, shopped a  few of Annalees favorite places, drove past the Chiefs stadium.

We went to the National WW1 Monument.

Went to Central Station. 

And stayed up playing games, laughing and enjoying our last day with Annalee. 

Day 6, we headed home. This time we drove through Aspen and Vail in Snow. 

There are so many Beautiful places in this World. 

Beauty All Around

This year, I cannot get over how beautiful the land is around us. It's almost like I'm seeing things for the first time. I think I've taken more pictures of the sunset in the last few weeks than ever before.

Conference Weekend, We took a trip up the canyon and had a picnic.

 Then we took a hike to Devils Kitchen. When we arrived, Ethan said "Where's the Stove?" 

Everyone around us laughed and laughed. 

One thing that has become VERY APPARENT to me while hiking is, The danger of my Children plummeting to their death. I've found it makes hiking with my children a little stressful. 

Hence  the Death Grip I have on Ethan.  

We're so lucky to be live in such a beautiful diverse area. 20 minutes and you're up the Canyon, 20 minutes in the other direction and you're in the dessert.