A LONG Vacation, and a Post to Prove It!

So this is what my kids looked like for a grand total of 45 car hours and 2,800+ miles. I think it is safe to say that they officially have "square eyes" from staring at the laptop for so long! We changed the oil before we left and since we're back, we need to change it again.


We began in Burley, Idaho where we enjoyed a campfire hotdog roast in the mountains near a small lake.


Here I am trying to keep the girls from getting too dirty. (Let's pose for more pictures--and avoid the dirt!)


I wasn't too convincing. Emery loved playing in the dirt...and I couldn't refuse her but amazingly I was able to keep her out of the fire.


We were acquainting ourselves with the newest member of the family...Welcome, Helen! (Tall, gorgeous blonde on the right.)

And nothing like ending a great hotdog roast with yummy s'mores!


Then on to picture day. As Thad puts it, "Taking a family picture is like getting poked in the eye with a sharp stick!" Don't they looked thrilled?


So then we move onto the occasion for which we went to Burley---the wedding. I, sadly, did not bring my camera to the temple so this is the only photo I have of the gorgeous couple.


In the Neilson family, the Orton's were the first couple to be married...this is their gorgeous family...


Next, the Thad Neilson family was formed. Here we are in all our wedding 'formalness.'


Then the gorgeous Stephen Neilson family. Their first was a girl to add to the six granddaughters, and then the family was thrilled with the birth of Wyatt...the first grandson!


Here are all the cousins together. What a beautiful sight!


My three ladies...


My happy Emery...


And Micaela...
And Audry.
You must always remember to take time to smell the flowers!



My hero and love of my life! (Hey now, ladies...he's taken!)

My oh-so-fun-to-wear bridesmaid dress. Hooray for me!


Aren't I lucky?!?!? He's a babe!


Great-grandma and Great-grandpa Stoker. We love them very much and are so blessed to have them!


After the long weekend, we were thrilled to have nothing to do but relax! Audry was taking advantage of an interested Grandpa. She was reading him a story she'd written.


Chillin' with the good ol' Otter Pops!


The rest of the time the Neilson boys had together was spent emptying the rifles of any spare shells in the house. All that target shooting can sure create an appetite!


We did a treasure hunt for the girls. They were happy to find their 'Pot of Gold' among the gold in Grandpa and Grandma's garden...hidden deep in the corn.


Enjoying treasure!


We said our goodbye's and then dropped Thad off at the airport in Salt Lake City. He had a rough flight home. In the meantime, I hoped to inspire the girls to listen to General Conference by taking them on a quick tour of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. They enjoyed standing under a waterfall without getting wet...


We watched for a moment as they constructed the stage for conference. The girls were so excited to see where the prophet speaks into the television!


Then up on the roof-top we went where we enjoyed a close view of the SLC Temple.



Of course, we headed to Temple Square, where they were in awe at the size of the Christus. I was so proud of the girls for managing to maintain a level of reverence while there.

Then we headed on to visit the Swasey side of the family. Paca and Granny had just returned from their mission in Illinois. My girls were happy/sad about it. We got to see them once a month while they served since they lived so close, and now it will be months or a year before they'll see them again.


While in Utah we took turns staying at our different cousins' houses. It was so fun for the girls to get to know each family better. And we were treated like royalty despite our mischief. The girls managed to strip an apple tree bare, and a few other no, no's-- But Mom did the most damage when she...


Bumped this perfume bottle off the shelf, and it did---


THIS to Aunt Cami and Uncle Merin's toilet! A word to the wise...keep your toilet lids down at all times. (If not being used, of course!)


I managed to sneak in some catch-up time with some old friends...Thanks girls, for your time and getting together with me!


It was so fun to see them and be silly with them again!


We played on the playgrounds...


And played on the furniture like it was a playground.


Then we were off to go camping up Black Smith Fork Canyon in Hyrum, Utah.

Micaela helped prepare the firepit. What a helper!


Here is my favorite (nevermind she's my only) beautiful sister with her beautiful baby boy!


My brother and his wife...


and moments to play school in the campground!


Granny was enjoying having her whole family around her again for the first time in quite awhile!


And Paca was preparing some yummy potatoes for dinner!

We enjoyed it very much!


And took some moments to laugh together.

The next day, Emery resumed her love for the dirt...


And we resumed our love for the gift of gab!



And Audry was trying on all the hats she could find in Granny's trailer!



So we packed up and prepared for the weekend of Mom and Dad's mission report. The meeting went well, and we had a lot of family support. Thanks for coming everyone!


The grandkids LOVED playing together the entire day.


And Granny and Paca were content to resume life as full-time grandparents.


Then off to Burley once again, to collect a few things and make a few more short visits. Grandma Stoker spoiled the girls with a great story time and some fresh homemade bread and milk.


All the previous weeks' excitement was finally too much for poor Micaela and, as usual, dropped exhausted where she stood.


A few more hugs from Grandma and Grandpa...

And a story of good "taste." And we were off to get our daddy from the airport once again, and hit the road toward home.


We got to our hotel soon enough to take a minute to enjoy the pool...



And even jump for joy a few times...



After a full month of being away from our home, our favorite part of the vacation was returing to our own beds in sweet home Dubuque, Iowa!