Sunday 28th: Dan drove me to the airport and eventually convinced me he would be ok without me for two weeks :). I then nervously headed for my first flight by myself. I was really glad to sit by a girl about my age from BYU-ID, I was worried I would end up by the person who talks the WHOLE flight! Nope! We had a quick chat and then I got to read my book. My parents picked me up at the Salt Lake Airport.
Monday 29th: We loaded the high-tech van my parents rented and headed out! We stopped in St. George to eat at Brick Oven YUM! The booth we sat at happened to have a picture of Jacob Hamblin (3rd Great Uncle) above it. From St. George we went to Las Vegas. Dad and Jake went to a car show while mom and I napped and relaxed. We were all so tired that night we went to bed around 9pm.
Tuesday 30th: We drove from Las Vegas to Yuma, California where we stopped at a cool 50's diner with a gift shop full of old time memorabilia. We then drove to Fresno and got ready to go to the Fresno Mission Farewell Fireside. As soon as we pulled up to the church, I jumped out and went to search for my long lost sister. She was up by the piano practicing the song she sang for the fireside. Her back was to me and I went up and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around and fell into my arms and started bawling. The fireside was really good and Erin's song was beautiful!
It's not a vacation without swimming, so Jake and I went swimming when we returned to the hotel. We had to get our swim in before we had a missionary with us!
Wednesday 31st: Happy Halloween! Turns out the people of Fresno aren't crazy...it was just Halloween! We went to the Mission Home to pick Erin up, and ended up having breakfast with all the missionaries who were going home. We got to hear the final words from the Mission President. Erin left the Mission Home and came with us. She took us around her mission and we met people taught. It was very special. Erin was such a good example to the people she worked with and they loved her!
Thursday 1st: We went to the Oakland Temple to visit my Great Aunt and Uncle who are serving a mission at the visitor's center there. Northern California is so pretty this time of year. We then visited a family that Erin is friends with in Sacramento. We stayed the night just east of Reno.
Friday 2nd: Long haul home! We, mostly I, drove across the barren wasteland that is Nevada and the Salt Flats...We drove to LDSBC to have Erin released by the Stake President. It was a great experience. Yay we got to listen to normal music again! Jake took us to ice cream in his Chevelle.Saturday 3rd: Mom, Erin, and I went to super Saturday. I then had lunch with my long lost high school friends. It was nice to catch up.
Sunday 4th: Time to visit Dan's side of the family. I went to the Gingell Mingle and we all sang happy birthday to Dan over the phone.
Monday 5th-Tuesday 6th: Sick :P Enjoying the comforts of home!
Wednesday 7th: Mom, Erin, and I went to lunch with my Mother-In-Law and had a good time. We then went Christmas shopping, I got everything except for gifts for Daniel.
Thursday 8th: Jake, Erin, and I played around in Scheels.Friday 9th: Erin and I woke up early to get to Logan before the snow hit...ya that didn't happen. We had to get off of I-15 and take 89 through Davis/Weber counties because of the snow. We also went 30mph through Sardine Canyon. We made it to Logan safely though! We went straight to Jake and Hannah's house. BABY JOSIE!!! She is so stinkin' cute! After chatting with Hannah we visited Jake at work. We then went to lunch with my aunts. Friday night we spent in Nibley playing Charades and staying up late with 'girl talk'.
Saturday 10th: I drove down to Kaysville and then drove to Bluffdale with Jake, Hannah, and Josie. We took Josie for a horse back ride! Aunt Liz is awesome ya know! Jake had a great time riding, and Hannah was a brave soul and rode around for a bit :). It was good to ride again and it was pretty with all the snow. The four of us then picked up Dan from the airport. We went back to Kaysville and spent the evening with the Garrett's playing games and chatting, and playing with JOSIE of course :). Sunday 11th: We arrived in Bluffdale just in time for church, not like it mattered...Erin was the last speaker...a little peeved she only had 10 minutes, I guess that is life. We then had a big to do at my parents house for Erin. Dan and I then said our goodbyes and my aunt drove us to the airport.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to go out there to pick up Erin and spend time with my family!
