I got to spend two lovely weeks in Utah this summer. The first week was in Mountain Green with my brother and sister and their family and the second week was in St. George-- my heaven away from here.
My brother Nate and his wife Courtney are two of the most amazing people ever. They are beautiful, kind, generous, funny, amazing athletes, and great cooks too. Their house is better than a hotel for me because I love their house, my kids love their kids, they have a great space, great running trails, and I get really great people to hang with. And just look at them. My brother turns 40 this next year and he and his wife both look about 25. He has muscles that I didn't even know existed.
But the most impressive thing to me about Nate and Courtney is how they balance their life. They work hard and they play hard and they love to spend time together. I actually saw my brother moping one afternoon because his daughters were playing with a neighbor friend and were therefore ignoring him. He also said that he only likes to go to the store when he has his daughters because having them there makes it a fun event. I want to be like them when I grow up!
We went on walks every day in Mountain Green. It was perfect weather and I don't have to be told twice to go outside and get my exercise.
My two nieces were so much fun to be around-- especially for Anna. By the end of the week, they were actually squabbling like real siblings. It made me happy that they had gotten that close. Anna loves to be around her cousins. Every day was a holiday and she was in heaven.
I got to do a lot of running while I was in Utah. This was just one of the scenes I got to see as a I was running past.
While we were eating our lunch one day, Anna found a birds nest all on her own. She is fascinated by feathers!
Down in St. George, we all tried to survive the heat. It was hot even for St. George.
If you went outdoors, it was mainly in the morning before 9:00, because once it heated up to 110 degrees, it really didn't cool off until midnight...
At my brother's rehearsal dinner, all the kids were drawn to Benjamin as if he was some small Buddha delivering peace. They all had to pet him.
Although my brother's wedding out in Toquerville was beautiful, it was also outside...in 115 degree weather. I am surprised my new sister in law Jenna did not melt.
Anna, always precocious, went up to Jenna and said, "I like your dress, do you like my new dress?"
Anna of course loved the dessert bar...
I wonder where she gets that from???
This is Jenna with all of the nieces and nephews and grandchildren. Its a good thing you can't feel heat radiating from photos, because all the photos look marvelous!
WE took the opportunity while we were in Southern Utah to go visit Zion National Park-- my personal heaven on earth!
It was so kind of Nick to get married so we could see all of our wonderful family, including my Aunt and Uncle from Portland, Oregon. They came up to Zion with us. I love to see my mom reunited with her family. She and her brother are so close.
And Richard caught this great picture of the wildlife. They are very tame there...very tame.
I of course got to spend time with my favorite little boy.
and Richard was wrapped around Anna's finger as usual.
I don't know where she gets this side of her.....
Our kids have gotten used to a LOT of time in the car in their short but eventful lives. They know the routine: movies and snacks and movies and snacks, endlessly. They did really well. And since we normally do this drive in the winter, it was really nice not worrying about blizzards or tire chains. But still, 1,000 miles is 1,000 miles and there is no way to make that short or easy for anyone. All you can do is endure it well.
So on to the next section of our trip-- Colorado for wedding #2. Next time.
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