6 sisters, 1 brother, & a nephew

It has been a while since we've gone home to Utah, so this trip was very much needed.  Lots of new people recently added to my family(6 new sisters, 1 new brother, and 1 new nephew, but I'll get to that later).

We seem to be a black cloud while traveling and all things that can go wrong will.  This trip was no exception.  It started out with getting all our flights cancelled.  The airlines told us they could get us as far as Minnesota, but weren't sure after that.  Our second option was to drive down to Chicago and fly out of O'hare Airport the next morning.  We took that option and after spending about 5 hours sleeping in a hotel got up and caught the early morning flight to Utah.

The kids were so excited to see everyone (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, friends).  It was cute when their cousins Brandon and Isaac came because my boys took off running and jumped into their arms.  It seriously was one of those scenes you would see in a movie.  I got to catch up with an old High School friend that I hadn't seen for years and take their pictures, and we saw a few of Shawn's buddies also.  And the other important person we spent time with was Milo.  To say my kids love him would be an understatement.  Here is Cole with Milo.

Ethan would get up every morning and feed milo and take him for walks, give him treats, teach him tricks. Ethan had a few dollars left that he earned and all he wanted to spend it on was a new bone for Milo.  Thanks Mike for sharing your dog with us.  We will take him anytime!!

Uncle Mike taught the boys how to shoot arrows, something Ethan has been dying to do for a while.

Cole was the quiver guy and responsible for handing out the arrows.

We went trick-or-treating while we were home.  I packed all the weapons and costumes and hoped that airport security didn't take all the ninja swords and knifes.  The kids had so much fun running from house to house.  We made sure to hit the nice homes by my moms that give king size candy bars and of course the traditional donut house.

My husband thinks he is funny and likes to pull the dumbest faces in pictures.

It was pouring rain and by the end the kids were soaking wet and freezing.

Actually, the real reason we went home to Utah and defiantly the highlight of the trip was because my mom got remarried.  I now have a wonderful step-dad and 6 step-sisters and 1 step-brother, and twenty something step-nieces and nephews.    

We couldn't be happier for my mom and Dave and are so excited to get to know all of our new family members.  The kids had fun at the open house and I saw sooo many old family and friends.  I don't think I sat down the whole night.  Ethan had a fun time going crazy with all his new cousins.

Cole had fun at the deseret bar

Liv just stood there and looked pretty, until she was so tired and totally crashed on the couch.


I was also hoping to meet my twin sisters new baby, but he decided to wait until the day after I left to be born.  I am still a little mad at my new nephew Jake, maybe I'll forgive him when he's 8.

(picture courtesy of Kev and Jam's phone)