Brad and Elly: Hello Utah!

We were able to fly out to visit Brad's family in the early part of December. While the flying was a bit of a pain, we are really glad we went and could see so much of our family and catch up with some friends. Here is a brief account of our trip.

running to Mema at the airport

Thursday: We flew in and drove down to Utah County. We went to my favorite Mexican resturaunt, Joe Bandidos in Springville, UT. Seriously, ALL of their food is delicious and they have the BEST chips and salsa! After all the bland mexican in NC, it was nice to have some great flavor. We then drove around the Payson, UT temple which was beautiful. Then we met up with Brad's sisters and our nephews and niece and went to some of BYU's free museums - The Bean Museum and the Palentology Museum. Our nephew Grant is only 5 months older than Tacy, and previous to moving, they were always together and best friends. It was so fun to see them together again because they picked up like we had never left.

Friday: Brad went to lunch with some of his old co-workers while Tacy and I went to lunch with my friends, Andy and Brittany, and there 3 kids. It was so fun to catch up and let the kids run around. We also visited with (Sister) McKenzie Loftis, one of the missionaries we had over all the time in NC who happens to be from Bountiful, UT. Friday night we went with Brad's parents to their ward Christmas party and Tacy was up way to late playing/watching shows with Grant for their "slumber" party.

Dayton, Tacy, and Bentley at Chick-fil-A

Saturday: Tacy was a grump due to lack of sleep. We had family pictures at the state capitol. Tacy was in time out almost the whole time because she would not listen, which put Brad in a poor mood. As I am the only one (of the 3 of us) who like taking family pictures, I guess it was fitting I was the only happy one. I really did think to just tell the photographer and Brad's mom, to just take pictures of me for our family. Amazingly we did actually get some good pictures with everyone smiling (or not looking too grumpy). I learned that goldfish are the key, because fruit snacks were not working for Tacy. After pictures we went to lunch at Chuck-a-rama for Grandpa Taylor. It was so great to see Brad's grandparents, Aunt Janet and Uncle Lynn, and Aunt Lori. Tacy even warmed up to everyone and hugged Grandma Taylor. Food helped her to become happy again.

Sunday: We went to church with Brad's parents. Tacy and I took a nap. We had a family dinner with all of Brad's siblings, spouses, and kids. After dinner the grandkids all opened a present from Grandma - jammies! We also decorated sugar cookies (under Melissa's direction and tutelage because she makes and decorates cookies professionally). Then we all played games.

Monday - It had DUMPED snow over night (a good 12 inches) and was still snowing Monday morning. Tacy was estatic because she had been asking since flying into Utah to drive up to the mountains to get snow. We went to breakfast at Grandma Annie's for delicious scones and sausage. We met up with our Canadian friends, Kody and Connie and their brood of kids, for lunch. We bought Tacy snow boots and she and Brad played outside in the backyard making a snowman and snow angels. That night we then went to Temple Square in Downtown SLC with Brad's parents. I love seeing the lights and because it was snowing, it was not crowded at all! Tacy loved it and we bundled up good. We ate dinner at Kneaders in City Center before driving back home.

"skating" while Daddy shoveled the driveway

Tuesday - We went to boondocks with Brad's mom, Jody, Grant and McKay. Tacy also went and played at Grants with Grandma. We finished off the night with In-n-out.