This morning it is quiet. {ahhhhhh}
I slept in and so are the kids. Perfect time to recollect my thoughts about our previous week’s vacation.
My oldest daughter went to a wonderful youth conference at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. It is titled, Especially For Youth {otherwise known as EFY.} Their theme this year was “Believe. Hope. Endure.” Last year was her first year to go. She had such a blast she wanted to return this year. I gave her the challenge to make straight A’s in school in order to return this year. I am happy to report she took on that challenge and was successful.
Last summer my 2 girls and I went. DH and Son went to Scout camp the same week. The boys were jealous of our time in Utah and decided if we were able to return this summer they were going with us. So thanks to our Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa we were able to get 2 free airline tickets. Even paying for 3 airline tickets is a hefty price, but much better than 5! Southwest is the only way to fly. We can check 2 bags {under 50 lbs.} per person for no extra charge.
One of my best friends ever, who I have known for 19 years now and was my maid of honor, graciously hosted our family. She & her family live in a nearby ‘suburb’ of Provo. She has 3 children as well. Her Son and my youngest Daughter are both 8. She has two girls who are 5 & 3. They usually all play pretty well together.
The husbands enjoyed a trip to Moab for mountain biking at the beginning of the week. DH posted on Facebook that he was able to cross Moab off his bucket list.
Even though we were on vacation, my friend’s family was not. Her kids were still in their last week of school. Besides the 2 days to Moab, it was back to work as usual for her Husband. Unfortunately, her middle child broke out with Chicken Pox at the beginning of the week too. This sort of put a kink in us all being able to go and do stuff together. Chicken Pox is very contagious. {Hopefully our children’s immunizations will protect them from getting it as well.}
All that aside, we were still able to enjoy our time there. I took the kids to a very cool place that was filled with trampolines. My Son enjoyed their climbing wall and falling into foam. The kids got air soft guns and enjoyed shooting at the target. The weather was perfect, about 70 during the day…more like Spring than Summer. Funny thing…there is still snow on their mountains.
Thanks to DH, my friend and I were pampered with much needed pedicures and massages. Ahhhhhhh 
My favorite day was Friday. In the morning, hubby & I went to the Provo Temple. Later, the girls and I got gussied up, had a small photo shoot, shopped and met the boys at a restaurant for dinner. {The boys played a game of laser tag.} After dinner, the hubby’s took the kids so bestie & I could attend a rooftop concert series featuring one of my favorite singers, Mindy Gledhill. Remember the video I featured with the sweet family jumping on a bed? The music in the video is Mindy Gledhill.
Overall, something very interesting came from this vacation. My husband told a friend last night he realized from this vacation that he is spoiled. I was incredibly shocked by his epiphany.
Now the kids are up. I need to read my scriptures, start a load of laundry, clean up broken glass from a picture that fell while we were gone and empty suitcases. 
I missed everyone! Happy Monday!
Glad to be back,
connect