Good times

Another successful trip to Utah has occurred, and we had a wonderful time. The flights out were relatively stress free, which is nice. It's always so fun to surprise Carolina with an early morning wake up call that lets her know we're heading to Grandma's house. She gets so excited. The kids just love being at Grandma's house (my dad always wonders why it isn't referred to as his house), and my parents are so good to spend time with my kids and give them lots of attention. They are also so good to John and me and give us lots of parenting breaks. John and I were able to go to SLC for a few nights, which was a lot of fun. While there we mastered the downtown transist system and felt like true locals.

We're now home and recovering. I'm trying to reprogram the children to the rules of normal life, which is proving difficult since they are both sick. Cash always seems to get the worst of it, and he is pretty pitiful when he's sick. I'm trying to be patient.

For some reason I didn't take many pictures this go around, but here's some of them.

Back in Cash's happier times, which seems so long ago. I think he looks particularly handsome in this picture.

Carolina thinks I am the coolest mom because I have trophies from when I was 13. Once in a while I'll hear her tell people out here, "My mommy has lots of trophies in Utah." Yes, twenty years ago I was pretty awesome.

Gingerbread house completed successfully.

Nightime reading with Grams.

The highlight of the trip was probably getting to stick their head out of the roof while going through the festival of lights.

Santa's note and cookies.

Patiently waiting to open presents.

Carolina is a bit of a hypochondriac. She used this cane for several days because she thought she'd broken her leg. My parents have lots of supplies to perpetuate the myth.

Carolina's second Christmas that she prepared for us. She picked out and wrapped two presents for each of us. She's pretty thoughtful.