We left Houston in the middle of July. My sister, Valerie, and I caravan-ed out with us so I wasn't alone. She had driven it many times and knew the way really well. I loved just blindly following her. One time I told her that I would take the lead for a bit and about 5 minutes later we switched back because I had no idea where I was going.
one in SLC I stayed at a hotel becasue my parents just sold their house and now live in a one bedroom apt. the next day was MY BIRTHDAY!! it was so fun to have everyone try and make it a great day for me. My sister Emily made an amazing pumpkin Birthday cake. I think it has been about 10 years since someone has made me a birthday cake. (Just kidding Sheena made me a cupcakes last year)
The next few days were busy with me and my kids trying to stay out of the way. which is hard when there are all kinds of wedding preparations going on.
The big day of my brothers wedding JOhn and I got all ready and went to the Payson, Ut LDS Temple. John and I got to go inside and my in laws, Kari, Terri and Maria watched the kids outside. Billy and Becca were the cutest couple and we loved seeing them get married. That night we went to the reception that was at a beautiful home.
The next day we drove up to Yellowstone. john's brothers Kaylon and Kenny came with us as well as Kaylon's girl friend Gene.
We froze the 1st night but after that we had a really fun time.
It was probably a little too much driving right after our 24hr roadtrip, but we saw some really cool stuff.
we stayed the night at Jakes house and then went to Cedar city. It was nice to be settled for a few days. I was feeling overwhelmingly tiered and needed to take a few naps I assumed it was my body needing recovery from all the traveling. Unfortunately my condition worsened I was up all night with fever and chills. I was super achy and had no appetite. I am not sure what it was but either food poisoning of flu. I tried to help as much as I could to get ready for the 2nd wedding. I stayed up really late the night before and so the morning of the wedding I woke up sicker than I had been all week.
I was still determined to make it to the wedding. I began having nausea and severe stomach cramps. I was concerned that something more serious might be happening. John was telling me that we were going to ride in Jake's car to the wedding. I started throwing up and that was the end of the discussion. After traveling 1,500 + miles I could't make the 50 miles to the St George Temple. Everyone left and I spent the next 6 hrs sleeping and resting. I got up and saw a few people at the reception, but mostly I stayed away. My parents and sister Hillary and her boyfriend had driven down for the wedding and I think they were a little disappointed that I couldn't spend more time with them.
Shari and Jordan were a very cute couple and I was glad that John and my boys were able to be there the whole day.
The next week we stayed in Cedar I recovered and we went on a few hikes and did other fun things.
We went down to Mesguite NV where we visited our long time friends Keith and Julie. They got married a few months before John and I and we have Always been close. Rocklond and their son Iigen were inseparable and had a really fun visit.
Soon it was time to head back up to SLC. We stayed up at John's Aunts house and had a great time seeing some of his cousins.
We stayed in Salt lake on Sunday, and then started the long journey home to Houston. I was caravanning with Valerie again. Hillary was with her this time and she road in my car for most of the day. the first day we drove 14 hrs. It seemed like much less because Hillary let me listen to the book Figherflight on her Ipad.
the next day Valerie and I split ways. she went on to North Carolina and I went south to Houston. It was a 9 hr drive and I did it in 10 which is really good for traveling with 2 kids. We were Ecstatic to be home. Gretta was so happy to see us. Thanks to everyone who let us stay at their house and all who helped us have a great trip.
