Our Trip - So Far

These are in backwards chronological order. If you want to see them from the beginning you'll have to start from the bottom... sorry, I'm still figuring this blog stuff out!




More snowballs - after the kids pooped out.











He decided he didn't like getting snow in the face.








Catching snowflakes on our tongues.














He didn't like the snow much.








Putting Mikkel's nametag on for the first time.










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Outside the MTC.








Look at that proud father!














Jacob and Mikkel outside the MTC - Jacob got a quarter for wearing his "Future Missionary" tag that Maren gave him for Christmas.



Mikkel and the little ones.

We decided to fly to Utah instead of drive and I couldn't be more happy about that! I mean, I still hate to fly (I'm always convinced that plane's goin'down!) but I'd rather fly for 8 hours (not really but with getting there early and layovers, it adds up to about that) than drive for 22! Anyway, we got here Saturday afternoon.

On Monday Mikkel, Jacob, Abigail, Fred, Aubrey, Nick and I all went tubing at Soldier Hollow (where the biathlon and cross country skiing events were held in the 2002 Olympics) and had a great time. That night we went to JCW's (a yummy hamburger place) for dinner and tried to go bowling but the wait was too long so we came home and ate ice cream instead.

Tuesday we picked up Mikkel's suit and pants he was having hemmed and went to visit the Starks in Salt Lake. We also went to La Frontera and had smothered burritos for lunch. I know what you're thinking - You live in Texas, why would you get Mexican food in Utah?!? Well, the answer is - 1. This is Sonoran style, we can't get that style in Texas and no one in San Antonio even knows what we're talking about when we try to describe it 2. We used to go to that restaurant when we lived in Salt Lake and it was a trip down memory lane. That night we packed up Mikkel's stuff and tried to sleep.

Wednesday was d-day. We got up early so Mikkel could say goodby to his cousins (also because we couldn't sleep - too nervous I guess) and got the final stuff packed and in the car. At about 10am we took pictures of Mikkel, Abigail and Daniel since they weren't going to the MTC and of course I started to cry. Then we hopped in the car (Mikkel, Fred, Jacob and I) went to Einstein's for bagels (Mikkel's "last meal" request) and then to the MTC. From that point on, I was a basket case so I really don't like any of my pictures but I'll post them anyway because I know you'll all want to see them. When it was time to say goodbye I lost it! Fred and Mikkel even had a few leaks. The MTC president said it was like taking off a bandaid - fast is best, but it was soo hard to do! Even when we got back to the car I sobbed for a few minutes longer. I know he'll have a great time and be a total spiritual giant from this whole thing but I'm still going to miss him! Afterwards, AnneMarie took me out for lunch (more Mexican food - yum!) and then Fred, Gary and I watched Errand of Angels.

Last night I talked to Susie and Dad who each called to see how I was doing. Dad said that taking his missionary to the MTC was in the top three worst days of his life along with taking his first child to college for the first time and losing Mom. Man, I have to feel this way again? I'm not sure I can do it any more times!

This morning we woke up to snow on the ground and the kids were so excited! We drove up to Park City and walked around a little then played in the snow. Jacob and I had a snowball fight but when I accidentally hit him in the face he decided he was done and they all sat in the car while I threw snowballs at Fred and made snow angels (they were missing all the fun and Fred was documenting it all on "film"). We had told Jacob that Mikkel won't be home until he's 7 years old and today on the way up to Park City he asked "Am I seven yet?". That just about broke my heart, it's going to seem like forever to these kids that Mikkel's gone!

If you're wondering why I'm not including Isabelle in any of this it's because she ended up having to stay home so she wouldn't miss any more school (she missed a whole week when she had the flu). We're sad she's not here with us but she is having a great time staying with her friend Celina.

Tomorrow we're going to try and go to a gallery in Provo that sells some amazing prints we would love to buy for our living room. I say try because I don't know if we can actually do it with three kids five and younger... we'll see!

Jacob in his prayers last night - "Thank you that our plane didn't get shot down or catch on fire" (and I thought I had flying issues!)