Fast Visit to Utah

When we left Utah in July after Soccer Camp I had this insane idea to come back on Labor Day weekend to let the boys go to the Women's Soccer game. BYU happened to be playing U of A so it was bound to be an interesting game. Ryan and Jennifer let us crash at their house. And when I say crash, I mean crash because we didn't get there until about 2am! Bless Ryan for staying up playing with his new sound system and miles of all kinds of cables that he now has in the new basement!

The kids always enjoy playing with cousins and the weather was great! On Sunday, after church, we drove to Layton to visit Grandma Partridge. Her health has been up and down and I know she misses Grandpa so much. We had a really nice visit with her. I helped her hold Baby Brett for a minute and she said "He's acceptable, I think." I love my Grandma so much! After our visit Scott, Ryan, Brett, Dad and a few other Priesthood holding cousins came to participate in a blessing for Grandma. (Mom and Dad flew up to join in for part of the weekend). Jennifer and I stayed in the cars with the kids. Scott reported that Dad gave a beautiful blessing of comfort for her. I am so grateful for many worthy Priesthood holders in my life!

So Monday morning at literally the crack of dawn, Scott took Bradley, Bryson, Blake and Brock all to hike the Y.




While it's true I have a giant aversion to hiking, camping and such, I really would have enjoyed this hike but I stayed back with Baby Brett and got our things ready for the day.


Here they are somewhere along the trail. Blake fortunately, is in the middle of the path--not leaning over the mountain edge!


A great view of Utah Valley!


And here's my guys at the top of the Y looking down. I know they will remember this little early morning adventure for a while!


So, later that afternoon was the actual soccer game. Ryan, Nathan, Benjamin and Joshua came with us. The game was amazing and BYU was killing U of A. Of course we had on our Cougar best! Then before half-time they asked for volunteers to play some games on the field during half-time. Oh I love BYU! So I totally wanted to volunteer! They needed a family of 4 so Ryan and I went down with Nathan and Benjamin. It turned out we did a relay race of different soccer drills. Nathan had to dribble the ball down to Benjamin and I and then we had to juggle the ball on our knees then Benjamin dribbled the ball down to the other side.


So I hope Benjamin doesn't read this but I was so nervous I was going to make a total fool of myself--which let's face it, would not be the first time. I practiced with him juggling the ball on our knees hoping I would not drop the ball on the first bounce. It was crazy fun!


Somehow we won the relay race and a gift card for Papa John's pizza! That was out of luck and not our mad soccer skillz. But maybe next year we'll win with our Mega Mad Soccer Skillz! Way to Go Boys!!!


It wouldn't be right if Blake didn't get to meet and attack Cosmo so here he is blowing up a fist bump!

After the game we loaded the car, took a quick potty break, said good bye and headed for a gas station to fuel up for the drive back. We decided to drive as far as St. George and spend the night there. That was a good move because not only did we get an early night's sleep before the rest of the trip but the hotel was across the street from the St. George Brick Oven! Yeah!!!! We totally ate dinner there at like 10 o'clock at night and it was so good! With a bottle of Apple Beer to go we headed the rest of the way home Tuesday morning. The trip was fast, fun and filled with memories!