Time flies when you're having fun...

Sorry for not blogging in such a long time - I know, truly an understatement . I've been busy playing and have been too tired every night to document the days activities. I've even been so busy that I haven't even found time to even look at my favorite blogs, sorry guys.

Anyway, I thought I'd start with my 10 day trip to Utah that I got back from almost TWO weeks ago. So... out of the 350 pictures I took during that time, here are just a few (haha). I'm sure most of these pictures will only interest my family or those of you who know them. Oh well!

Saturday: Mike took us to the airport and "escorted" us on to the plane. What a help that was! Thanks Mike! I'm sure Natalie appreciated it, too. Mike couldn't join us in Utah until the following Thursday.

Now that Natalie is two we have to buy her a seat on the plane. Considering her size and desire to do her own thing it was luxury even though it is also a kick (to the wallet) in my pants!

Conference Sunday in Utah! Lots of cousins! Natalie couldn't be happier! We met at my Mom's for soup that night.

In the foreground: Sasha, Natalie, Shaun, and my sister Kristina

Easton, Anthony and Cadence

Natalie, Kaleb, and Kyle
Natalie and Shaun

I should explain that the reason for our trip to UT was for my Dad's neice - my cousin - Paula's wedding in the SLC Temple. She and her brother Lucas are both going to BYU which means that we were lucky enough to have the wedding here. Her family, for the time being, is living in Buenos Aries. The rest of my Dad's family lives in Brazil. So to see them all again was fantastic! Especially since I lived with their family in Brazil for 6 months after high school. They are awesome!

Left to right: Paula, Vivian, Lucas, Camilla, Louisa, Marcos, and their youngest son Anthony

However, the best part of the trip was to see my Omama (Grandma) again. I haven't seen her since my wedding 6 1/2 years ago. I don't know when I'll see her next, either, especially considering she is 92 years old. Doesn't she look great! She is the sweetest lady I know. I just love her. I really wish she lived closer.

My cousin Liah also came up for the wedding. She and her family live in Rio. She is the daughter of my Dad's other brother and was there "representing" her family. What a fun girl. Her Engilsh is awesome. I wish I was bilingual - so jealous!

My Mom Julie, Bro-in-law Vaughn, and Uncle Marcos

Me, my sister Amy, my Aunt Louisa, and cousin Vivian

The wedding couple, Paula and Dennis

We had a great night just hanging out, catching up, laughing, eating. Natalie had a blast running around playing with all the kids. I love my family. They are all really great.

Monday: We started the week off right with some shopping. Natalie and Shaun were good sports.

Later I played with the kids with a bat and ball I bought that day for Natalie. She's been wanting one since she became obsessed with the show LazyTown - of course on one of the episodes they play baseball.

My sister Jenni and her son Gavin

Me and my cutie pie!

Natalie and "Shauners"

That night we had FHE and watched my Uncle Marcos's talk he gave during Saturday morning's Conference session. (He was recently called into the Quorum of the 70's.) It was such an amazing talk! In case you missed it, he talked about my Dad's family, how my Grandpa (Opapa) joined the church and the wonderful testimony he received from reading the Book of Mormon. He lived in Brazil, didn't know any "Mormons," and was the only one in my Dad's family to read the book since it was in English - which he happened to know. My Uncle encouraged us all to read it, and in fact equated us to spoiled children if we refused. It was good to hear. Thanks Marcos! :)

It was also good to see my brother Lee who drove his motorcycle up from AZ just to hang out with us for a day, which seems crazy until you realize he probably wouldn't see his Omama again if he didn't.

Tuesday: Lunch with the Grandma's.

My Grandma, Amy and Kristina

My mom, Omama, and I think you know who Natalie and I are (hehe)

I love this picture. It shows what happens to my camera lens when I let Natalie touch it with her sticky, greasy mac-and-cheese hands. What's even worse is that I didn't realize that was why my camera wasn't taking good pictures until later the next day. Note to self: Don't let her play with my camera when she's eating.

My cute Grandmas! Grandma will be 90 in January, Omama 93 in December.

After lunch we went back to my Grandma's house to spend more time with the two of them together. Too bad my camera had CRAP all over it. Nice blur spot on my Grandma's face which otherwise would have been a great picture! Bummer.

Natalie was being nice and actually posed for a picture with Kristina. Cute picture Kristina! I'll send it to you. :)

Later that afternoon I took Natalie and Kristina's kids to Day's Thriftway, the neighborhood grocery store, for some candy. They love their Aunt Karla. :)

Wednesday: I don't remember what we did and I don't think I took any pictures. Oops! If I remember, I'll update the blog. Amy can you help me?

Thursday: Wedding day. I left Natalie for the FIRST time while I attended the ceremony. She survived. The kids were good to her and were able to calm her down until I got back. When I did get back they were all huddled around my little dvd player. I brought it and brought Toy Story - just incase. Toy Story in the Temple. Am I in trouble? I don't care. It was worth leaving her. The ceremony was amazing! My Uncle Marcos performed it in both English AND Portuguese. It was too cool!

After the ceremony we went over to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for the reception. Here are the kids playing on the window ledge of the 10th floor.

A view from the window ledge. What a beautiful garden!!!

Mike flew up that afternoon just to see my Dad's family. He had a mid-term that morning and unfortunately wasn't able to attend the wedding ceremony. So sad, but I was so glad to see him anyway. Thanks Mike for coming!

My sexy Italian husband

The kids love him, too.

Notice the difference in picture quality once I FINALLY realized why my camera wasn't taking good pictures.

The kids are playing a little cookie recipe card game I brought - another way we kept the kids entertained.

The newlyweds. So sweet. Great view of the temple in the background, too.

Natalie is posing in front of the Bonneville room in the JSM building where Mike and I also had our reception. Ah, what great memories!

Friday: We ate a late breakfast and then took Mike back to the airport so he could go home to a quiet and empty house to study. I have finally decided that I hate Law School. It takes too much of our time away from each other. I can't wait until it's over - Spring 2o1o. Doesn't that sound just forever far away? :(

Anyway, notice Natalie's healthy breakfast. I'm such a bad mom!

Mike's and my (healthier) breakfast. Well, it was the best cinnamon roll EVER! We bought one for Natalie, too, but all she wanted was the frosting off that cookie. She's crazy. Mike and I were happy to enjoy her roll for her.

Later that afternoon we went to Kangaroo Zoo. Here's Natalie just before we went down the slide seen in the next picture. This slide even gave MY heart a little palpitation. Needless to say, it was really fun!





The kids played hard. Natalie even pretended to go to sleep on one of the slides.

My long-time friend Diana also happened to be in UT that weekend. I convinced her to meet us there. It was great to see her again and to see cute little Maggie, too. What was even cuter was that Natalie recognized Maggie from looking at Diana's blog. She was so excited to see her.

Unfortunately this was the closest I got to getting a picture of the two of them playing together. They were running wild.

My brother Erik and his family also came from Indiana for the wedding. They also joined us at Kangaroo Zoo. I think Erik had more fun running around than the kids did!

After the "Zoo" we went back to my parent's house to eat Cafe Rio for dinner. On the way there I saw two missionaries talking to a couple of kids on the street. I just missed getting a picture of them holding up a Book of Mormon for the kids to see. All my life living in Provo I NEVER saw missionaries (except at the MTC).

Saturday: We had another lunch with my sisters, Mom, cousin and Omama. Jenni and Liah were able to join us this time.

Sunday: We went to Church at Amy's ward with Omama, my Mom, and Erik & family. After Church we went back to Amy's for lunch/dinner. Marcos, Luisa and their son Anthony joined us. My Dad also joined us later on. He's a Bishop at the MTC. We had fun talking again for hours while the kids played.

Monday: More shopping. Later that afternoon Marcos, Luisa and Anthony came over for an attempt to go to Cornbellies - a pumpkin patch with lots of activities for the kids. We didn't end up going (not enough time) and just went to a local pumpkin patch so the kids pick out some pumpkins before Marcos and family left.

My little doll.

Tuesday: Saying goodbye. We went to eat at Zupas - absolutely delicious!

Natalie was sad to be leaving.

One last hug with her buddy.

What are the odds?! Liah happened to be on the same flight we were on going back to AZ. She was spending the last week in the States with an old friend who coincidentally lives about 2 miles from my house. Small world!

Well, that's all folks. Sorry this was so long. I hope you weren't too bored. :) I think I'm back to bloggin' more often. A lot less work in the end, I think.