My family is pretty spread out. I have a sibling in Utah, Florida, Virginia, and parents in South Dakota. It is kind of hard to see each other obviously so when we have a chance we try to get together. The last weekend in January I used our southwest points for a free flight to see my sister DeAnna in Utah. It was a wonderful long weekend. I flew out early Thursday morning and stayed until Monday morning. DeAnna and John are always gracious hosts. John took Friday off so he could take care of the kids while we played together.
Thursday we spent the afternoon visiting and hanging out while we played and snacked with the kids. That evening we went to an art painting class that DeAnna had signed us up for. 
My analytical brain had a hard time figuring out how to ‘just paint’ with general guidelines instead of specific directions but about half way through I started figuring it out. It was a lot of fun. I think I will make it a new hobby every now and then too. I came home and got the supplies to paint at home and have a few things I want to try. I’m not amazing at it but they are good enough that my girls want to hang them up in their rooms.
Friday DeAnna had another new activity planned for us. We went snow shoeing in the mountains to a place called Doughnut Falls. It was pretty awesome. It was quiet and peaceful. When we got to the falls we walked right over the 
water in a few places. You could see it running underneath us in places but it was cold enough the snow had packed down and iced up enough to walk on. After our hike we stopped for lunch then went home to play some games. After dinner we went to the rec center and played racket ball together. I took a class in college and have played occasionally since then but it has been a while. I still really like it though. I told Ryan we need to start playing more now that our kids are older. There are a couple courts at the place Alli has gymnastics. It is good exercise and I like that it is contained so I don’t have to chase after a ball half the time.
Saturday we went and got our nails done and did some window shopping and ate lunch again. We played a game with John that afternoon. It is a good one-Isle of Skye- I will have to get it for Ryan to add to his game collection. John helped me get my blog figured out and organized too. It was nice to spend some time with my niece and nephews too. DeAnna and John are very good parents. I always feel inspired to be a better parent and more motivated after I have been around them. I usually pick up a few ideas too on how to ‘manage the masses’. The one I have liked this time is when they read scriptures they have everyone bring their own scriptures and follow along. Then take turns reading. We have everyone read but I haven’t had them have their own scriptures. We started trying that and it has made a huge difference on keeping everyone focused, whic
h means less irritation from me and Ryan and more understanding and discussion on what we are reading. Woohoo! Saturday night the three of us went to a play at the Hale Theater…I am drawing a blank on the name right now…I think it was Dear Ruth. It was pretty funny. I really enjoy going to plays like that too. Afterwards we raced to make it to Kneaders before they closed, and I am glad we made it! I had never tried it before it is a little deli/bakery shop. I took advantage of the bakery part and it was delicious. They had one of my favorites- chocolate mint brownies. I told a friend of mine about it her in KC and she said they are actually building one not to far away here. It is probably good that it isn’t really close to me.
Sunday we went to our Grandma and Grandpa Jones to visit with them a little while. Her sisters husband had passes away earlier that week so several of my aunts (Melody,Julie, Mary) were there as well for the funeral the next day. It was a nice visit. My Grandma’s memory is starting to not be as sharp. She is still the same person though. She was nervous to play the trumpet (she is in her 80’s) at the family dinner for the funeral, her sister asked her to play ‘Danny Boy’. My aunt posted her performance though and it was amazing of course. My grandma 
had played her trumpet and the piano all over the world for all different events. It was a quick visit but I’m glad a got to see them. Grandpa seems to be doing well too, a little slower but still busy and always doing something. After our visit we went to church and then hung out and played the rest of the evening at DeAnna’s. Ryan sent me this picture bragging about getting to 8am church with time to spare all by himself. I guess he was implying I am the one that makes us late-we both know that isn’t true though. Even a blind squirrel will find a nut sometimes.
We stayed up pretty late Saturday night talking , but I am a light weight and couldn’t stay up Sunday too. I loved getting to spend some time with my sister though. I am glad that we like each other and like to spend time together. I hope someday we can live closer to each other so we can see each other more. Monday morning DeAnna took me back to the airport and I headed home.
A little side note. I love family trips and vacations but I really enjoy traveling as an adult with no kids too. I can sleep or read or sit and stare into space. It is a nice opportunity to have some peace and quiet. The flight was nice. 🙂