Uuutah

January 17-January 30

Our trip to Utah in January was about FAMILY and a bit of exploring and some flying and some friends and some food and some thrift stores too. :) We had a wonderful two weeks there and everyone really enjoyed Apollo. He’s such a delightful bebe boy! <3

When we go to Utah we stay at Chris’s mom’s house. She and Ray are such wonderful hosts and we really enjoy our time there. They take great care of us and they adored little Apollo. Ray was especially happy to meet the little bambino since we chose Apollo’s middle name mostly after Ray! And my middle name is Rae too.

We spent time with all the family and that’s why we were there. We wanted Apollo to meet everyone who loves him so mucho! Here he is with Chris’s dad, and with Chris’s grandma Lila, and with Chris’s half brother and sister – uncle Preston and aunt Lexi.

Apollo also got to meet his cute cousin Lucie and his aunts Heidi and Angela! We would’ve loved if he could’ve met his aunt Jen too, but it’ll have to wait till the next trip. He has now met all of his cousins, grandparents, living great grandparents, uncles, and almost all of his aunts! Lucky boy

I loved seeing how much everyone loved our little babe. Here Apollo is with my grandma Farnworth and my wonderful uncle Mark! He met some great aunt/uncles too! And some first cousin once removed and some second cousins haha. 

Spending quality time with family was wonderful. It’s so nice to catch up with everyone when we go to Utah and share love and stories and admire little Apollo.

While Chris was busy flying or something, I saw a few friends too. Utah is quite the melting pot and I have lots of friends there and people I’d love to see, but the time is limited.

RaNae and I visited with my mission president and his wife, and that was pretty special! Oh how I loooove the Picketts. I’m so grateful for their influence in my life. 

And I visited with my lovely roommates from BYU Jerusalem! We were missing our Shamra girl, but it was so wonderful to catch up with Lauren and Carly. Seriously, the Jerusalem Center collects and creates the greatest people.

AND we spent and evening with the Ballentines! This was so special. The Ballentines are one of my family’s favorite families. We grew up across the road from each other, playing on the pulley swing, playing cops and robbers…the best neighbors and friends. It was so good to catch up with so many of them. So good.

Chris got to see his good friend Rob Burgon too, fighter pilot extraordinaire. Really nice to eat dinner at their home with their family. We ate some food that reminded me of Brazilian chicken stroganoff which was a happy memory.

AND we ate Brazilian food too! The rice and beans and pão de queijo were delicious. Although it cost a pretty penny. I need to learn to make rice and beans the brazilian way.

Adventures were had while we were there too. RaNae took me to some field trip hot spots and taught me some Salt Lake Valley history. It was great! We even went to thrift stores together too, which I love. I want to go to some now, because I could totally use some new clothes.

Apollo was such a doll the whole trip. He is the best! And Chris and I had a great time together too, playing skip bo all night long hahaha. I love Chris’s family a lot and it’s great to be around them. And I really loved seeing and experiencing all the love people had for my sweet baby boy.

Until next time Utah! See you in JU-LY.