Utah trip: a marathon post!

Well it's been a couple of weeks and I finally feel like I've recovered enough to tell the tale! My grandfather on my mom's side just turned 90 years old! So he had a big birthday bash to celebrate. My whole family, minus Ross, went out to Utah to join the festivities. First time traveling with Ethan. He actually did extremely well on the airplane. Maybe a few minutes of crying, but all-in-all not too bad.

The drama began when we arrived in Salt Lake and our luggage did NOT. And then I stupidly left two full bottles of milk for Ethan on the plane! Oh man... And then a lady kept talking to and giving advice about Ethan while we were trying to remedy the luggage situation. I'm sure she meant well, but it was really poor timing. I felt way stressed and didn't feel like talking to her AT ALL.

So our luggage was taken down by the airline people to Mt. Pleasant where we were staying that evening. I guess it arrived really early the next morning (thank you Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Brent!) We were only without it that first day. So it wasn't too bad.

So we saw a lot of family and friends, and it was wonderful to see everyone. But I only took pictures at a couple of places, so this is not a complete visual account.

First up: Grandma and Grandpa Honey with Ethan! Their first time meeting him. It was a lot of fun to see them. I always enjoy their company. And Grandma's food!


Next we saw Aunt Syl and *bonus* Jen and kids! What great people. Only a couple of pictures taken there, as per request.


We spent a lot of time in the car, resulting in pictures such as these:
And these (all self-portraits and I have fifty more just like them!):
We ate at the most FABULOUS restaurant. Gloria's Little Italy. It's in Provo, and the Italian family who run it are old friends and neighbors. They moved in across the street fresh from Italy almost 10 years ago when we lived in Provo. My dad, who served his mission in Italy, was able to help them settle in and translate for them at church. She is an amazing cook and opened up this restaurant with her family a few months ago. We ate there twice in three days.

Looking at Ethan:Fabulous desserts:

I got to see my sister-in-law Becky. And cousin-in-law. Only for a couple hours though. :(


And the last thing I have pictures of his my Grandpa's birthday shindig. It was so fun seeing extended family. I hadn't seen some of my cousins in years!

Aunts and Uncle:

Holding Ethan: a good excuse to be anti-social:

With the birthday boy himself! And my mother:

Will and his cousin trying over and over to take the picture at the exact same time. It worked! And I must say it's kind of cool.

Cute aunt and cousin's son:

A very fun, but exhausting trip. Made all the better by an awesome homecoming from Ross. A squeaky clean house, flowers, and a welcome home sign! Awww.