So, do you wanna hear about my trip?

My niece, Abigail, got married last week, and the wedding was in UT, and I love her, and I love some people in Utah, so I was happy to plan a trip.

Wednesday: Sometimes it takes a bit of a miracle (Christmas miracle, Delta employees like to say) to get where you need to go. I had tried and failed to get on a flight to SLC a few weeks ago, but that was an optional trip. This trip was for real. When I saw that there were 12 seats open and I was # 17 I had to go to my "calm yourself, it's not over til the door closes" mode. And then they called my name and I became one thankful little traveler.

I arrived at the SLC airport to the usual family groups waiting to greet their returning missionaries. It gets me every time. Then, I grabbed a shuttle which was heading Provo way and was off. Sharing the shuttle with me was a very brave missionary starting his 2 year mission. He was the only active member of our church in his family, but he was determined to serve the Lord even without family support. I was inspired by his faith.

My youngest daughter has been at BYU since September, and I was happy to see her digs, meet her awesome roommates and relive some of the exciting, stressful, fun, overwhelming, fulfilling, heart breaking, victorious glory days of college life.

Back in the day you could run the diagonal and it looked like Brigham Young
was doing the funky chicken. Now the sidewalk is parallel, and the illusion is lost.
Sorry, cougars.

We went to the bookstore, did some laundry, organized her clothes, and basically had a blast.

Thursday: Okay, do you know what I used to love to do in college? Play raquetball. Baby girl rounded up a racquet from a friend and we walked down to the RB for a game or two. I felt so nostalgic in those courts. (Paul and I had our first date there.) I remembered the squeaks and the smells and the fun.

 And when we were done, I remembered the stairs. There is nothing more real than the stairs from the Richard's building up to campus. My calves were begging for mercy. They were not used to morning, million-stair climbing.

Then my daughter went to class and I met my cute son for lunch.

We ate delicious sandwiches at Gloria's downtown. The only problem was when he told me he was across the street from the Provo Temple, in actuality he was across the street from the Provo City temple.

 Having two temples close to each other is never a problem, however. We'll just have to be more specific. Then we went for a quick shopping trip. This boy never buys clothes. I mean, his 5 year old jeans still stay on his body, and who would buy pants when they could buy concert tickets? But the Easter Bunny loves him.

With my boy safely delivered to work it was time to get back to campus. As I waited for my daughter in the library, I observed a sociology project where the awkwardness of a mismatched height couple was studied. It involved taking this picture of 2 strangers of differing height. I love BYU.

 Then I saw a few of Rebecca's friends that I only know through my expert facebook stalking. It was tricky hiding my face of recognition while still staring and eavesdropping. It's a lot of work being this nosy.

Next was the wedding reception. It was held at Thanksgiving point in a beautiful venue in The Loft. One of my favorite experiences is walking into a designated place and finding my far flung family gathered together. I just love these people. We had pie and visited and then of course, we danced. I know I'm kind of old to be dancing, but I do it for the family unity, and I just kind of still like to. We created a circle and took turns initiating dance moves. Cousins, brother in laws, sisters and friends left their comfort zones and brought the fun.

Blair, Rebecca and Gwen

Me, Heidi and Mary

Miller cousins

This is the same night my daughter caught her 6th wedding bouquet. She has proven that catching the bouquet does not determine who gets married next, (she caught her first one when she was 12) but does develop some excellent tracking the trajectory and positioning skills.

Beautiful bride, Abigail and lucky cousin, Rebecca

Friday was the wedding. The temperature was a brisk 30 degrees. The wedding was lovely and the bride and groom were beautiful.  They were some of the first to be married in the Provo City Temple.
Afterwards we gathered and visited and took pictures and complained about the weather and visited and took pictures. I actually had to tone down my complaining when I was reminded that it was a lot colder at my first daughter's December wedding a few years ago. Point taken.

Mom and Susie (the mother of the bride)

Me, Mom, Susie and Mary

Following the sealing was a groom's luncheon where we ate delicious soup (about 6 varieties) and engaged in more visiting, this time in the warm inside. We were then treated to some real cowboy poetry and music as provided by the groom's father and friend. The groom is from Wyoming and apparently that's how they roll there. I feel culturally enlightened. Since the reception was before the wedding the bridal send-off was from the luncheon. We had to stall the bride and groom while the get-away car was made ready, and our crowd contained mostly close family members, but the sentiment was warm and genuine.

Trevor and Amy's Emma

Friday evening, the Easter Bunny took Rebecca shopping and we closed up the night with a delightful viewing of Zootopia. I dropped my daughter in BYU land and I headed to Springville to stay with Paul's brother and his awesome family.

Saturday: I woke up to icy windows and snow. I muttered over the inconvenience of doggedly persistent winter, overlooked the ice scraper that was in the car and made do with a dustpan from the garage that worked surprisingly well for scraping windows. I drove the 70 snowy and cold miles to Manti  (I know I whine so much) to visit my parents. I walked into the quaint 120 yr. old house that my mother has decorated to be the perfect English cottage with her pink silk rose bouquets, lace and patchwork, camel back couch and crystal chandeliers. Classy radio was playing in the background and I felt that "coming home" warmth in my heart that always gives way to gratitude for my loving parents. Each time I am with them I am impressed with something different. This time, as my mother showed off her new bathroom, I observed that she had placed a little dresser with a table cloth and of course, a rose bouquet in an empty space that just wasn't beautiful enough. I recognized that no matter where they are, my parents improve. They improve their space, they garden, they decorate, create music, develop talents, solve problems. Their energy may wane, and their health may decline, but they will be forever progressing and making the world better. And since I am their child, I should do the same.

The bathroom

Manti temple where Eliza was married

View of the temple from Mom's porch

Dad sitting under the lamp he created from natural wood from his property.

After a wonderful afternoon I returned to the Provo area to gather for another mini family reunion hosted by Paul's brother and family. We were joined by Paul's sister and daughter. It's interesting how children grow even if I'm not there to watch them. We played a rousing game of spoons, which was new for Andrew's friend and ate Mexican food and BYU creamery ice cream. Another fun night.

John, Brianna, Stephanie, Rebecca, Olivia, Tylo, Barbara, Andrew, Mikayla

spoons

Easter Sunday: So on the day we celebrate the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I was able to worship in my daughter's ward (congregation). It couldn't have been a more perfect day for a mom. There were many beautiful musical numbers performed by talented college students. Baby girl had been asked to be a speaker and share a scripture and her testimony of the Savior.  What a sweet gift from heaven to be listening to a child share her faith and conviction and love for her Redeemer.

Rebecca and roommates and friend

We joined my brother and sweet family for Easter dinner. Played more fun games, ate lots of delicious food. shared great times with cute children, and a puppy and bunny, and then it was over.

The Miller girls

Catch Phrase. The girls won.

 I woke up to more snow, and my brave sister-in-law drove me to the airport. I got on the plane without incident, a miracle to be sure, There was only the slight complication of needing 3 trucks to de-ice the plane, but I wasn't bothered, because I had had a fantastic week with so many loved ones. And besides, I landed in 70 degree GA sunshine. Life is good.

And a little child shall lead them.

After a great two days at Brandon and Mallory's, I returned to the Liston's to spend one more day in Washougal.  Megan and I had designed to wake up early on Monday morning for a girls' hike to the neighborhood waterfall.  Y'all have one of those, right?  That sweet little plan was made before we knew Travis had to go to a meeting in Portland early instead of working from home that day.  It was new plan hatching time.  We decided to bring the kids, and if we were going to be in the car, why not go big and drive the 45 minutes to Multnomah Falls-the serious, I'm not messin' around, don't leave Oregon without seeing me, falls.  We found everyone's shoes, bribed the kids and loaded the car.  Megan sold the excursion idea as we drove,"We'll get ice cream sandwiches and only hike to the bridge."  Fine by me.  I felt lucky to get a glimpse.

After some amazing parking place finding and child herding, Megan had us on our way.  There we were, on the bridge, looking up at one amazing sight.

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And then we just started meandering up the trail.  We stopped for a photo shoot

Susie, Miller, Ivy, Tommy, and me.

and reached a very informative sign that meant we had a decision to make.  There were 11 switchbacks on the trail to the top.  We had 5 kids under the age of 11 including a 3 month old baby.  Why would we keep walking?  Why indeed?  Megan asked if we wanted to turn back or keep going.  No one spoke up.  I didn't want to be the one to get in the way of greatness.  Ivy, the strong little 6 year old  said, "Let's keep going."   We deferred to her.  Every couple of switchbacks we checked. "What do you think, Ivy?"  "Keep going."  Megan started out carrying only the baby, Eliza Jane.  Soon she was carrying 2 1/2 year old Miller too.  I tried to help with Miller--nuthin' doin'.  I took the baby with the carrier.  It was a cinch, except now the stakes were high and I could not trip, could not stumble, could not falter.  Up, up Ivy went until that little pint sized cutie led us to the tip top of the falls.

We did it!

I hardly dared to put my camera over the railing to get the shot.
It was a long, long way down.

And I was proud--proud of the kids, proud of myself, and definitely proud of Megan.  I was even more proud of Megan when she ended up carrying Ivy on the way down and Miller too until she offered him a lot of fruit snacks if he could be strong and brave and walk with his big sister, Susie.

Definitely cooler now that we've been to the top.

Good job, team, and thanks Ivy, for helping us do something harder, but better.

Big Trip to Portland

You know how it is.  Summer trips over, family gone, and the school start date blazing towards you at the speed of light.  Sometimes a girl has to go into denial about her decidedly disciplined and responsible days ahead, and go on a trip...to Portland...OR.  It wasn't just a random choice nor did I target the town because it is cool and beautiful.  I have 1 sister and brother-in-law, 5 nieces and nephews, 1 son and daughter in-law, 3 grandchildren and my parents living there.  It was practically a service trip.  Not buying that?  Understandable.  How about the fact that I spent my first 5 years of life in Portland and next 5 years in Corvallis?  I was going back to my roots, kind of a personal history excursion.  Either way, you can see how benevolent  and selfless I am.  Actually my husband and children at home are the benevolent and selfless ones  They sent me on my merrily flying way with an "I love you., have fun, see you next week."  My life is awesome.

So, I got to the airport and having been newly trained in proper customer behavior by my Delta employed son, I read all the signs and bit my tongue for almost all of my impulsive and uninformed questions.  I did ask one hardly busy at all gate agent if my name was on the standby list.  I had looked at the sign and it wasn't there but other people's names were and what if the online check in didn't work like that time I thought I had ordered a book but it never came or I was at the wrong gate or they had no intention of letting me on an airplane ever...She assured me that I was listed and maybe since it was more than an hour before the flight I wasn't showing up on the screen yet.  I politely thanked her but didn't bother informing her when I realized I had been looking on the upgrade list and not the standby list and there I was...STOKL...big as anything.  Sorry, miss.  I'll do better next time.

It was a breezy 4 hour trip that I prepared for by bringing my 25 Book of Mormon scripture cards to memorize for seminary next year.  I also brought my church magazines.  I was fairly serious about using my time wisely.  I read my magazines, they were awesome.  Then I worked on scripture memorization.  After a few hours I had almost memorized 5scriptures, and then my brain began to sizzle.  I was definitely feeling inspired, but I was slightly coveting my neighbor's USA Today and severely coveting my other neighbor's wifi.  With depleted brain power  I stared into space and watched the "My trip" screen until we were asked to please put our tray tables back and prepare for landing.  Soon enough I was walking through PDX along with some very natural looking citizens many of whom were wearing Nike products.  Then I went outside and was met by these beautiful people:

My sister, Megan, has 5 fun babies, with the littlest only 3 months old.  One of my favorite sights in the world is fat babies with skinny moms and that's what I saw.  Little Eliza Jane has the most amazing cheeks, and my sister, Megan, looks like she's training for a marathon, which in fact she is, and in fact, I'm not, so go Megan whoo hoo!  It was a special Pacific Northwest moment when we sat out in their backyard in the cool, mosquitoless, chigger free grass eating huge blackberries, raspberries and blueberries from their garden.  Terrific work, Travis.  The kids showed me their stuff, possessions and talents, and Megan spoiled me rotten by taking me out on the town.  Heaven?  I think so.

One video I don't have is the duet of Susie and me on the piano.  We are awesome, right Susie?

On day 2 the Listons (sans Travis) and I met the Brandon Stokers (sans Brandon) at the Portland zoo.  This was really important, because this is the zoo I went to when I was a little girl.  Not surprisingly, it didn't seem familiar at all, and then we got to the elephants.  I looked at them and realized that other than it being a lot more shady (trees can grow a lot in almost 50 years) it seemed like the same view I had experienced as a 4 year old.  Anyway, it was super fun to be with my family, such adorable people.  It had been about 2 weeks since I had seen these grandchildren, but it was definitely time to see them again.  In fact, every 2 weeks might be the perfect interval for grandchildren visits.

Isaac, Josh, Annabelle, Susie, Ivy

Ivy, Annabelle, Susie, Eliza Jane, Miller

Josh, Ivy, Susie, Annabelle

Well, we were in Oregon, and in Oregon you use natural
products.  Turns out natural sunscreen doesn't rub in very well.
At least everyone knows our baby is protected from UV  light.

Susie, Annabelle, Ivy

Ivy, Susie, Annabelle

Isaac and Mallory

Josh

And then, since both families had zoo passes, we quit while we were ahead (before all the babies started crying) and headed out in the nick of time.  Then the babies cried and then they fell asleep. A lovely day.

Couch pictures

 Whenever anyone comes home, or we come home to them, I like to take  pictures.  Inevitably there are pictures on the couch.  Not the most flattering, but couch pictures have come to be a tradition.  This one is at Charlie's graduation from Dental School.  He's joined by my mother and father and his daughter Abby.

 This picture was taken Oct. 11.  It introduces Joseph Erickson (Eliza's husband)  and includes Abigail (One of my kids favorite cousins.

 This Christmas couch picture was after Aaron's coming home from his mission.

 This was the day Nathan came home from his mission to Brazil and right before Aaron left on his mission to Korea.  I like it because they're sitting shoulder to shoulder, each involved in his own interests...just like life.

 This was a pretty good year.  All the kids except Daniel made it to the couch.

 Rebecca and Charlie's little girls.  A special visit with special people in Houston, TX.

 Daniel, Erica and Caleb came home for this couch picture.  A great one.

 Brandon and Mallory and their firstborn, Annabelle.

 Jacob came home from his mission to Peru.

 Thanksgiving 2011 with Nathan and Ariane and nephews Michael and David.

 We came home to Denver to be with Paul's sister.  Michelle joined the "texting" couch party.

 Annabelle's Christmas puppy.

 Charlie visiting from Pittsburgh.

 Paul doesn't usually make it to the couch pictures so this is a rare moment.  Below, we have the year we all drove to AZ to visit Daniel before he took his family to Japan.  Ya gotta love couch pictures.