Doug and I made the most of our anniversary...every minute counted. We slept in and got ready for the big day at our leisure, then headed to the big city. It was snowing/raining every inch of the way until we were almost in SLC. I was not loving the drive, especially when the car in front of us on the freeway lost it and started sliding all over the place. Weather has never slowed Doug down for anything, so he was unaffected. The kids were clueless in the back seats of the van, keeping busy with their electronics.
We arrived in Salt Lake City and headed over to Temple Square. We hadn't been there for three minutes before we ran into our next door neighbors from the very first home in Smithfield that we'd bought 33 years ago. Doug and I laughed because we've never been to Temple Square without running into someone from our past. It's the joke, "Who will we see today?"
The kids loving going to the 26th floor Observation Deck of the LDS Church Office Building. The wind and rain prohibited a lengthy stay but they thought that was pretty awesome. ZJ was more impressed with the fact that she'd ridden in an elevator. (Cache Valley has only about five of them and no escalators, so it doesn't take much to excite her.) Following the Church Office Building, we went over to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and watched the new film in the Legacy Theater. We then walked around Temple Square under our five umbrellas (tossing one into the trash, but grateful for the other four) and took just a few photos in the one ten-minute break from rain and snow all day long.
Next, we took the TRAX over to the Gateway Mall. The kids had never done this either and thought it was pretty awesome, even though we only rode about four blocks. Lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, a viewing of the Mt. Everest film in the IMAX theater and then another TRAX ride back to Temple Square for a tour of the LDS History Museum. The kids were intriqued by the death masks of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and the lifesize ship bunks for those who came across the ocean from England back in the 1800s. (I counted my blessings once more that I was not born in the 1800s!) I was fascinated by the quilts that were on display for a quilting celebration. It was surprisingly crowded with quilters because of the event. The weather didn't slow too many down.
One last walk through Temple Square when we realized that it was 7PM, so we headed home in nasty blizzard-like conditions. Snow, sleet, slushy roads, low visibility. Doug was as casual as always driving through it. The kids begged for McDonalds for dinner, so we went through a drive-through for them. I'm not a McD fan, so we stopped and got something else, but they thought that McD's was the perfect way to end a perfect day. Okey dokey, then.
We were all totally exhausted when we got home, watched Idol results and headed to bed. It was a long but wonderful day. I was just thankful to be home, safe and sound. Two crazy blizzard drive from SLC in one week is more than enough for me!
It was a great day and as we were climbing into bed, Doug said, "It was a perfect day, being together, having the kids with us, celebrating exactly what we love to do the most - being together." It was. 34 years of being with Doug... I can think of nothing better, unless it is 34 more and then lots more!
A few other ramblings this Friday morning:
- Happy Birthday tomorrow to Carol! Happy Birthday tomorrow to Carol! Happy Birthday tommorrow to Carol! Happy Birthday tomorrow tooooooooooo Carolllllllllllllllll! (in my best singing voice!)
When I arrived home, there was a package waiting in the mail for me from Megan, my cousin Kent's daughter. This beautiful dreamcatcher will now hang in my window and remind me of my trip to North Carolina, of my Lumbee Indian roots and those wonderful feelings of being near my family even more often! I loved it and was so thrilled for the surprise!
- Sorry that I forgot to put the hushpuppy recipe up on my cooking blog. It's there now!
- Stott and Wendy will be home tomorrow! I. Can't. Wait!
- Kelly is supposedly having a thirdsurgery today. Liza told me that Kelly had asked her to keep Zaylee. Kelly's not answered her phone, so I have no details yet. But, I'm not amused by this whole situation.
- I keep looking outside and have to ask myself, "Is it really April?" It feels much more like December this morning. I'd planned on starting my morning walks this week when I got home. Hmmm... maybe next week!
There is no wealth but life.
I hope you liked it!
Love, Megan, Kelley, Nahaven
Posted by: Megan | Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful family! Congratulations to you and Doug. Looking at your pictures makes me want to visit SLC, hopefully I will one day... How interesting you drove through a blizzard to get to Salt Lake and there was no snow there, it looks like spring!
Posted by: Nicole | Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 04:12 PM
What a beautiful couple and a lovely story! Congratulations to both of you on your life together. The life you're living is such a great example for your children. May God continue to bless you both!
Posted by: Ramona Cody | Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 06:04 AM
What a nice day! The grounds at the Temple were so beautiful when we were there in June. Looks pretty still!
Posted by: JaYne | Friday, April 08, 2011 at 09:53 PM
Those trees in bloom are gorgeous! When I make it to SLC (note I said when, not if) am I allowed to walk around in that area? Or is that only for church members? Just wondering. Because it looks so beautiful.
Love that dreamcatcher. What a thoughtful gift! I would love to trace my mothers side of the family. I just know there is Indian. One of my late aunts and my great grandmother both looked like little squaws. ;-) I hope the babes can make it to North Carolina. They will love it!
Posted by: Pamela K. | Friday, April 08, 2011 at 05:15 PM
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS FAMILY. Love whomever took the last one of you and Doug on the pedestal...where you both belong.
OK...so Now I know...the Lumbee comes from your dad's side. Way cool!
Posted by: susan | Friday, April 08, 2011 at 04:46 PM