Mid-April I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Utah to visit my dad's parents who live in Logan. My grandma has struggled that last few years with worsening dementia, leaving my grandpa as her sole caregiver. Laura had mentioned that she was planning a trip out to spend some time with them and Amy and I decided to join. I'm so glad we did!
George shouldered all the home and kiddo responsibilities for the 5 days I was gone. Thanks, Love!
While flying to Utah, the weather in Salt Lake was so bad, we had to delay landing and approach from a different angle so the pilot could see the runway. I touched down to this:
It was snowing pretty hard, although not really sticking. I got my rental car and drove around running errands while I waited for Laura and Amy to land.
Once they landed, we drove straight to Logan. Tyler met us there later that night after spending some time with his family.
This was the first time for Grandma and Grandpa to meet Cassidy, and that sweet baby loved the extra attention.
Grandma was especially thrilled. It was precious to hear her talking sweet and cooing to her.
The kids called me that night to say good night before bed. Lily and Lexi were having a rough time and wanted to know when I'd be home. It's good to be loved!
We spent the night in a hotel in Logan and joined Grandma and Grandpa to spend the day talking and visiting together.
I'd forgotten how much I miss the mountains.
Tyler was planning on fly fishing in a couple days and let us look at his flies while he fixed and created some. Some of them were so tiny, you could barely tell what they were supposed to be. Apparently trout are intelligent and will only bite at things that look like they are in season, so you have to fashion the lures to look like the current insects they are eating. (He had tiny ones because right now the bugs are larvae or immature and tiny.) I had no idea fish were so picky.
I love walking around the grandparents' house and finding treasures like this:
This was Grandpa's father and brother in 1956.
His other brother Byron recently passed away. We found his funeral program.
I love this picture. I wish I could find the negative or at least get it restored. This is Grandpa and his brother Malcolm in 1953.
I love that I can totally see my dad in Grandpa, and I love the look on Malcolm's face. You can tell they really love each other.
Grandma and Grandpa's wedding!
A picture of my dad when he was probably 6 or 7 years old.
I think he looks a lot like Laura's Grant.
That afternoon, Grandpa drove us all to Bear Lake to see where some of his ancestors lived and worked, and to treat us to a delicious Mexican meal at a restaurant there.
This is what true love looks like:
On our way back to Logan, we stopped at an overlook to see the whole lake.
It was SO cold!
Look at those crazy icicles!
While we were freezing in Utah, the kids at home were loving the 70 degree weather. George sent this picture to me. Apparently the kids had been playing outside nonstop for hours!
Lance was enjoying the weather during his weekend with Scott as well. He and Scott are training for a 50 mile ride in Richmond called Cap to Cap in May and go on long rides every weekend they can.
I think the highlight of the trip really was seeing Grandma love on Cassidy. She cooed and sweet-talked that baby every time she saw her.
While it was nice being an adult without lugging kids around, I really missed my family. Facetime is an amazing invention!
I had brought puzzles and play dough and a few other activities to do with Grandma, but we mostly sat around and visited. We did break out one of the puzzles, but Grandma politely declined our offer to do it with her, so Amy, Laura, and I put it together ourselves. George was on Facetime and kept us company while we did it (you can kind of see him on my phone in the picture!).
Hanging up on the wall in the Grandparents' house is this small shadowbox. It is very special to all of us because my dad made it for Grandma many years ago. He crafted the box and filled it with tiny items that were meaningful to him. There are pieces from Japan where he served his mission, a little package with his address from his dorm at BYU, a little sewing machine, books, and a little kitchen scene complete with a basket of fruit. I love looking at it. He made one for my mom, too, that I have in storage.
We had such a nice visit with Grandpa and Grandma. Grandma is really struggling to remember moment to moment, let alone what happened yesterday or last year. It broke my heart to see her like that, but I'm grateful to know that this life isn't forever and one day soon she will be whole again. I can't wait to see her on the other side with a twinkle in her eye and her quick wit that made her so much fun to be around.
Grandpa had done an amazing job caring for her, often at his own health's expense. I'm worried about him, but it's good to know he has an excellent support system with his neighbors and friends and much of Uncle David's family only a couple hours away. I love this man. Being with him helps me remember all the things I love about my dad and while it makes me miss him all the more, I'm grateful for the reminders and the little moments when I can feel my dad close.
It was Saturday and I flew out Sunday and still had so many people I wanted to see. On my way to Provo to see my cousins, I stopped by an old friend's house to say hello. Sarah Simmons is seriously one of my favorite people, probably topping the list. She was our neighbor for a few years when we lived in the apartments at UVa and I watched Ellie, her first baby, while she worked as a nurse and Calvin her husband attended Med School. The moved to Maine to do an EM residency and just recently moved to Spanish Fork so Calvin could start his job. I got to see their new house and even meet their new pet, a cute little candy cane corn snake.
I can't believe how BIG Ellie is!
I Facetimed George while I was there so he could say Hi, too. I was bummed Calvin was working.
I wish we had more time together! A couple hours really isn't enough. I loved meeting her third little girl while was I there! I can't believe we have 8, almost 9 kiddos between the two of us!
After visiting the Simmons, I met up with the rest of the family at Caleb and Mybree's house for a dinner of Cafe Rio. We got to meet Vivian for the first time! She is darling and so fun!
She thought Cassidy was pretty neat.
Anna and her husband were there, as was Jason!
Caleb and Mybree's house is really cute!
AND after dinner with the Allred cousins, we met up with Aunt Linda in her Provo condo to play games and spend the night.
Jason brought his "friend" Miranda to visit. She is super sweet. I guess we'll see if anything happens!
Breakfast the next morning was typical Aunt Linda--super cute and over the top. I mean, who thinks to put berries and cream on eggo waffles? I miss Aunt Linda!
We attended Sacrament Meeting with Aunt Linda and then went back to the condo and visited with Jason for another hour or two before I had to drive to the airport. I can't believe Milo is still around! He's got to be at least 15, 16 years old and still as regal as ever.
Laura sent me this picture of Tyler doing what he loves: fly fishing! I guess those lures came in handy. He and Laura spent the night at Tyler's family's cabin and enjoyed some quality family time.
Good-bye, Utah!
George and the kids were at Grandmom and Pop Pop's house. They had a great time with them. On our way back to Charlottesville, the kids and I stopped by to see my mom and Glenn who were watching the Calderwood kiddos while Laura and Tyler were gone.
These boys LOVE to play Minecraft together.
Story time with Grandma!
Grandpa Glenn and Lexi.
It was so good to be home! I had a wonderful trip and hope I can make it out to Utah again soon! George was amazing and tackled all the kids himself for the four days I was gone. Thanks, Love, for being so supportive!
