Sabbatical

I don't think sabbatical means what I think it means, but to me, I went on a sabbatical to Utah this Summer to escape the Arizona heat.

We were gone for just over 6 weeks. 

Travis was with us for about 2 of those weeks, one, for the Charles reunion, and the other week was the week we were in Sedona, so for the most part, it was just me and the chicks in Utah.

We stayed at the Jones residence. 

The Jolley's were also on their "sabbatical" so we had a house full of kids!

It was such a nice visit. 

I got to see my buddies who I never get to see

I have the best friends for reals!!!

I lectured Lau about how amazing the mountains are. I told her that if I lived here I would go on a hike with my kids once every week. I told her to NEVER take Utah mountains for granted. She reported back to me that after I left, she had been going once a week with her kids. I'm glad I got through to her, and sorry I yelled.

We met our friend Willy Wonka and went on a tour of his chocolate factory

Denae, thanks for setting that up! And stop laughing about how much free chocolate we took. Jake told us to, and we HAVE to listen to the chocolate man!

We threw Sadie a very elegant baby shower

 we only said a couple of swear words 

We took swimming lessons 

Brooklyn went from crying every time a drop of water landed on her face, to actual swimming. She can swim!!! Emily was a great teacher!

We watched the world cup with the most avid soccer fans

Boo Germany.

We got tan

We went to the aquarium

The rest of the time, we just chilled. We saw family, we swam, we were outside! I loved it.

This was the reunion after over three weeks of not seeing dad

And this is what it looks like to drive home after being gone for 6 weeks

And this just sums up the way I feel about Utah

Beauty

Till next "sabbatical"