Our Thanksgiving Break

       Back in September I told Spencer I would like to spend Thanksgiving in Utah this year with my Dad & Step-Mom.  Sadly, I can only remember one time *ever* in which I have spent the Thanksgiving holiday with them.  Spencer was very supportive of my wishes to go, so I made plans immediately.  Due to budget cuts in our school district the kids had the entire week off.  Spencer, unfortunately, wasn't able to take that much time off during the store's busy season, so I booked him a one-way flight to Salt Lake.  The boys and I didn't have the luxury of flying like Spencer did so we made the 12 hour trek by road, and I'm so glad we did!  We left Saturday morning and drove to Meridian, ID where we planned to stay the first two nights at my brother's house.  The timing of our trip was perfect!  I found out that after a 15 month renovation project on the Boise, ID Temple, it was finally being re-dedicated the Sunday I was there, and I was able to attend one of the dedication sessions at the Stake Center.  In addition, the youth of the church in that region were asked to take part in a Youth Cultural Celebration program the previous night for President Monson at Boise State.  My niece, Alexis, was performing in the program and so we all went to the Stake Center for the broadcast.  While in Idaho, the boys and I were able to visit with my friends, The Cluff's.  It's nice after so many years apart to be able to pick right back up as if no time has gone by at all.

      We left Meridian on Monday morning and made the final leg of our trip to Salt Lake.  My brother and his family planned to stay the week with his in-laws so we were able to travel together.  I pulled into West Jordan at 3:00 p.m. on Monday. 



      On Tuesday, the boys and I drove down to Provo so I could visit with my Step-Sister, Brittany.  She and Que recently moved to Utah County and so I wanted to check out her new house.  Afterwards we headed to the Mall and did some shopping before we had lunch at Red Robin.  After lunch she introduced me to Spoon It Up, a frozen yogurt place, for dessert. 

      Wednesday was a day of shopping and just hanging out around the house.  Spencer flew in that evening around 5:30 p.m. and after picking him up we all went out for ice cream.  Next to seeing family, one of our favorite things about coming to Utah is the food, especially the ice cream!  I have never found a place in Oregon that even comes close to the amazing shakes that you can get in Utah!  It's like heaven in a cup :)  By the way, none of us can truly eat all of this ice cream, but it sure is fun to try!     

      Thanksgiving Day was great.  We had 14 people at the dinner table (My Dad & Dianne; Uncle Lane & Aunt Kathy; my cousin Priya & her boyfriend Dusty; my sister Brittany, her husband Que & son Liam; and then my family).  My brother, Thayne & his family came for dessert around 4:00 p.m., and we also had a nice visit with Ryan & Ashlynn that evening as well.

Nanette, Thayne, Uncle Lane, Aunt Kathy, Dad, Dianne, Spencer & I, Brittany & Que



      Friday was our busiest day of the trip.  It seemed like we packed everything we wanted to do into that particular day.  We started our Black Friday shopping around 7:30 a.m. and didn't return until a little before 2:00 p.m.  That included a must have lunch at Cafe Rio.  At 2:00 p.m. we met up with several of my family members in Sandy and took the Trax into downtown Salt Lake to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square. 

      Everyone, all week long kept telling me that I was crazy for wanting to go to Temple Square on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, but we really didn't have another day if we wanted to see the lights so we decided to go anyway and take the train in.  I'm glad we did because when we arrived at 3:00 p.m. the place was deserted.  We had the entire grounds to ourselves.  After taking several pictures by the reflection pond we went to the North Visitors Center, and again, had the place practically to ourselves.  We then went to the 4:30 p.m. showing of the Joseph Smith movie.  When we got out of the movie the lights had been turned on and the boys got to see what we came for; Thousands of tiny lights strung all over the grounds.  It was beautiful!  After walking the temple grounds for a while we headed over to the Conference Center and were given a tour by my Uncle Lane.

      When Saturday came around we were all pretty exhausted from the fun-filled week we'd had so far.  Spencer had plans in the afternoon to watch the Civil War game, but we couldn't find anyone who aired the Pac-12 Network.  So we settled on Applebees with Ryan & Ashlynn and again hit up Iceberg that night for some delicious shakes and onion rings.  I definitely ate way too much on this trip, but I LOVED every minute of it!

      We left for home early Sunday morning and I am so surprised with how well the boys traveled.  Not just during the long car ride, but the week as a whole.  They didn't fight or argue, they didn't complain about anything, they were just awesome.  The whole trip was awesome!  This Thanksgiving I have so much to be grateful for.  Life isn't always easy sailing, but when you focus on the good things you have going on, the bitter parts don't taste so bitter.  I am very grateful for a loving Heavenly Father whose love can always be felt no matter where you are & no matter how much you're struggling.  I can't express my thanks to Him enough!