Utah

So one of the major reasons we took our family to America was to attend General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Well I feel the the whole effort just to get here to attend one session of General Conference was worth every penny and every complaint from children we have had along our short way!  I was in awe just walking into the first session on Saturday and my emotions just got the better of me!  The girls and I planned to attend the morning session and then go shopping....I am not sure what they were more excited about....conference or shopping?  Anyway as we walked outside to be ready for conference I asked someone to take our photo and as she was taking the shot I started crying. I was just sooooooo happy to be there!

Later in the afternoon on Monday the 2nd April we drove as far as we could from Fresno and camped in Nevada in the Sierra Mountains.  It was so eerie and beautiful at the same time.  After the drive through the beautiful scenery in the morning for about an hour, the rest of the trip was so boring and flat!  This drive reminded me of driving through the Hay Plains in Australia.  Hours and hours of same flat scenery.  For awhile Jason and I were playing spot the 'prisoners' because at least 5 different groups were out that day cleaning up the highway.  I am glad the RV didn't break down there! Mind you they probably would have all helped us!  - We also stopped in Nevada for a $2.99 breakfast which was FABULOUS - 2 pancakes, eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and sausage....so we just got 6 meals as there was heaps to share.

Then around 8:00 pm that night we drove into Utah! Very exciting....it took another hour and we came through the side of Salt Lake City and could see all the buildings lit up and some beautiful small spears shooting through the middle of these concrete building was the spires of the Salt lake temple....it was exciting in the RV trying to get everyone to see the temple for the first time! It was a real buzz. We stayed near Uncle Bob (Mary's brother) in Murray Utah.  It was so good to see Bob and he really enjoyed seeing Jason! 
                                                                             
                                                                  


The next morning we woke up to see the magnificence of the Rocky Mountains all around covered with snow.  It was soooo wonderful to view them.  I nearly tripped over four times on my morning walk as I was looking up all the time!  Throughout the couple of weeks in Utah I couldnt believe how many people actually complained about these magnicant mountains and how they could get sick of that view....I suppose it is just perspective.  (However there were still others who loved the amazing view and could never tire of it!!!) We spent alot of time that day in Temple Square.  It was awe inspiring but of course at times a few children were tired and complaining because of all the walking so food always fixes that and had some dinner with Uncle Bob - then off to a playground where the children never cease to amaze me with all the games they come up with, even Michael wanted to join it, whilst Raechel and I walked down to the nearest Deseret Industries Thrift store to have a little look (of course there were a few bargains there we just had to get :)  ) That night we all went to the Utah Jazz basketball game which I thoroughly enjoyed except for the fact Utah lost ....grr.  I thought they gave up in the end against Colorado.  The children had a pretty good time as we caught heaps of give-aways like soft basketballs and blow up bees and Jason even won some sun glasses outside with some basketball shots....games at home must have helped. It was loads of fun.

An example of the rooms inside Salt  Lake temple

Daniel and Michael playing at park in downtown Salt Lake City!
   

Treats for everyone at the Basketball!!!

Some of the magnificent mountains around Utah

Jordyn on the right with Julia Barrett in the middle and a neighbourhood friend on the end with Julia's dogs

Then on Thursday 4th of April we drove about an hour south after breakfast to and area called Eagle Mountain where Caitlin Johnson lives.  At one particular point in the estate we stopped at an intersection and we saw eight LDS chapels or the spires....it was just soooooo unbelievable to the children. Growing up in our religion you know that there are loads of members in Utah it was just freaky to see all those chapels together and then amazing later in the week we stayed with some extended family where we could see three temples from one spot.  Uncle Bob took us down to meet the Barrett family where Caitlin lives with her older sister Lindsay and her husband Nathan (they adopted Bob's girls Rachel and Caitlin ...long story but really great they could do this)  and their children Isaac, Julia, Ian and Owen. It was so much fun meeting everyone.  It was a busy week as the children had the whole week off for Spring break and also Lindsay as she is a teacher but they had been packing their home ready to move about 1 mile away. So we rocked up on a great day to help.  We had our huge RV and loaded up all the boxes in the lounge room and started shifting boxes for the family and moving to their new home.  All the kids pitched in and it was lovely to see them bonding so well with each other when they had only just met!  Working side by side always helps.  After pizza we said our goodbyes which were harder than I thought as Daniel didn't want to go at all.  He really enjoyed being with the younger boys and playing with them.

Bob then took us to Costco which of course I have heard about but absolutely adored when we walked in.  Alot of bulk items so much cheaper than usual and of course being in Utah had some church pictures and other items as well.  Unfortunately they didn't carry one thing I wanted but everything else was fabo!  - Then that night we drove to Sandy Utah to stay with Bob's ex brother in-law, Andy Garrett and his family Lori, Elisha, Kylie and Jayden.  What a treat for us to meet this wonderful family!