Impromptu Vacation to Utah

We aren't really exactly spur of the moment people, but when Brian was invited to do some recruiting at the BYU Engineering career fair, we decided on an imprompu vacation. We have been really wanting to get back to Utah and our friends (and fav restaurants) for a visit. Here are some pictures that chronicle the adventure!


This is us and Ben and Kelsey Dean at the new Hinckley Alumni Center. It is one beautiful building!




















At Leatherby's we got the medium sized banana split - Big enough for a family of 5!

































Brick Oven is a Provo favorite. We love their pizza!




























Then the Deans and the Critchfields went to visit President Richard Nixon (the mission President Nixon). He and his wife are in remarkable health and we enjoyed a nice visit with them catching up on the various directions they and the elders from the Sacremento mission have gone with life. They even provided entertainment for the "mission grandkids".















































L to R: Ben Dean, President Nixon, Sister Nixon, Brian














President and Sister Nixon always have an abundant harvest from their large gardens. In the fall you are not allowed to go home without something from the harvest - this time it was peaches. (Last time it was Apricots, and we had so many we ate ourselves sick on them before we got tired of apricots and they spoiled.)















This is my most special friend from Provo. Her name is Irene. She lived behind the apartments we lived in and had the most beautiful roses of all colors lining the bordering fence. I met her over the roses. When Aubrey was born, we made regular visits. She never married or had children, but had lived in Provo for most of her life and is about 92 years old now. She enjoyed Aubrey. She always felt she was a special little girl. We would go over and she would get out her baby toy, and we would chat and play until it was nap time. Her little sister, Mary, would come over often, and I loved to watch the two sisters visit. I thought they were hillarious. They even came to visit us when Heidi was born. (Which was a big deal because walking had become very difficult for Irene). Then not much after that we left for Ponca City. I think about Irene frequently. I came to love her so much. We came for a visit at her house this time and it was just like always except for more kids. She really enjoyed all of them and it was painful to leave. Mary mentioned while Irene was out of the room that after we left, it was months before she could look at the baby toys she had in the cupboard. I think that Irene and the Critchfields have a friendship that is really something special.


















We made the voyage to Salt Lake City to visit temple square with the Deans and the kids. It was beautiful as ususal. They keep the grounds beautifully. There were so many bridal parties at the temple taking pictures. And there were new beautiful buildings built since we had left. We had a wonderful visit.
























































































































Of all the coincidences, we met up with one of the Elders that served with Ben and Brian in Sacremento. Elder Phillips (I don't remember his first name) is currently working security at Temple Square. I'm sure his wife feels its a real improvement from the streets of Arizona, where he used to work as a police officer.















The last night we were out, we had a family dinner with Packhams, Neilsons, Bennetts, and Woods. I loved seeing my family again, but I confess the most wonderful part was seeing my girls playing with my cousins and my cousins children.



















































Heidi and Lucy are really two of a kind. They made fast friends and when it was time to go, Lucy began to cry. Heidi really enjoyed Lucy and didn't want her to be sad, so she gave Lucy one big hug. Then- all better. I love kids.