At the last minute (a week before) it started to look like Tyler's entire family would be assembling in Utah and since his two brothers were coming from Texas and Germany, we couldn't not make our "little" (in comparison) drive and join in the fun! It also was Tyler's grandpa's 90th birthday party!!
Our first day there we showed up at my sister's school and surprised (really SHOCKED), her! It was something I had been wanting to do for a long time. Just send my kids waltzing in with the other first graders...to see her response...and as you can imagine it was awesome!! Even the office staff followed me down the hallway, eager to hear her scream with delight! After the initial 2.5 seconds of shock and jaw dropping...she was so excited!!
It was really cool to meet her colleagues who I've heard so much about AND to see how much they adore her. And her cute, little first graders LOVE her!
Aubrey read to the class and Andrew helped one little first grader finish his math.
We came a few minutes before her lunch period, had lunch together, sent the kids to recess, and then kidnapped her. No, not really, but her colleagues (basically pushed her out the door while smiling) encouraged her to take the rest of the day off and come play with us. So, the cute office ladies called in a sub, took over and off we went.
It was great!
It was great!
Next, we met my sister-in-law, Amy and her kids to tour the LDS Conference Center. This is where our church holds it's general membership meeting twice a year (called General Conference, learn more here) and also many other special programs throughout the year. We love these meetings and hearing inspiring messages from our leaders, at home, in our pajamas is always something we look forward to.
The Conference Center is a beautiful building! It had been a couple of years since my kids had done this tour, they enjoyed it again.
The Conference Center is a beautiful building! It had been a couple of years since my kids had done this tour, they enjoyed it again.
One little interesting thing I want to remember, is that Tyler and I had tickets to attend the first Conference ever held here in 2000. We had Grandpa Backman's tickets and sat on the 12th row.
It was a wonderful experience, where our dear Prophet, President Hinckley shared (here)
that the gorgeous podium was made from his own walnut tree!
that the gorgeous podium was made from his own walnut tree!
We walked outside on the roof, what a VIEW! Incredible place, downtown Salt Lake City!
And without the people blocking the view...
Man these cousins love each other, these two have big plans for their futures...saving all their birthday money to go visit each other, living together in college, sharing a culdesac someday!
Then we were off to the local Children's Museum. Honestly, the kids could have stayed all day, especially Matthew in the ball area...heaven!! All the kids played in the child size store, house, construction zone. They built all kinds of cool things and got to play inside a real helicopter.
Matthew ALWAYS wants to help pump the gas at Sam's Club, he finally got his chance to pretend!
That night we celebrated Andrew's 9th birthday with a family party.
It was so fun for him to have his cousins there!
How can this cute boy be NINE???
The boys enjoying the cool "boy" gifts!
The entire gang!
Then we were off to the local Children's Museum. Honestly, the kids could have stayed all day, especially Matthew in the ball area...heaven!! All the kids played in the child size store, house, construction zone. They built all kinds of cool things and got to play inside a real helicopter.
It was so fun for him to have his cousins there!
Thanks so much for making the effort to come celebrate Grandpa's 90th birthday. I was so pleased to have my entire family here. A great time was had by all and counting the days until we are together again. Love to all!
ReplyDeleteLOVED THE SURPRISE!!!! Thanks for taking the time and making me feel sooooo loved! I sooo appreciated it! THANKS for everything! It made my WEEK to have you all visit me in my classroom! SURE LOVE YA!!!!!! Please come tomorrow....I need your help Aubrey and Andrew! ;)Love ya tons!!! Thanks for also letting me spend the rest of the day with you! HUGS!!!!
ReplyDelete