Utah Vacation Day 1

Okay, the pictures are loaded and I'm ready to journal our fun vacation! Ryan was out in Australia for his brother's wedding and I wasn't able to go since a plane ticket to Australia wasn't really in the budget. Instead of being left at home alone all week while my husband got to party "down under", I decided to get some cheap tickets to Utah and have a party of my own. I really wanted my mom to come too so she got a ticket too since my dad had a hunting trip planned for the same week (too bad it got cancelled last minute, sorry Dad!). So early early early Tuesday morning my mom and I headed out on our trip to Utah. I got Ethan a ticket too and brought his car seat on board since there was no way that child would ever sit in my lap or in the seat with a lap belt. You should have seen my mom and I at the security checkpoint juggling a stroller, a car seat, Ethan, purses, carry ons, shoes, etc. It was crazy, but after that it was a piece of cake. We were able to get the bulk head seat so Ethan wouldn't kick the person in front of him the whole way to Salt Lake and he was so good the whole plane ride. Wrapping all of his toys was a big hit for him and his favorite toys were his little Buzz Lightyear figures and the silly putty. We got to Denver, changed planes and only had a 50 minute ride to Salt Lake. Once we got to Salt Lake we got all our luggage and got a rental car and drove down to Provo to meet up with my Aunt Nancy and my cousin Jessica. She actually lives in the same dorm that I lived in when I was out at BYU. AWWWW, the memories! I had to take Ethan up to the Cannon Center to see where his mommy spent many fun times. After a trip down memory lane, we headed out to Brick Oven for some yummy pizza, soup, and root beer. YUM! We met up with Jessica's friend, Matt, and you should have seen Ethan's reaction. Every time Matt would look at Ethan, Ethan would close his eyes and try not to look at Matt. He honestly went on for 20 minutes with his eyes closed, trying to peek at Matt or putting his head on the table. It was insane.
Well, the best treat of all was meeting up with the Van Dyke's

I hadn't seen Alivia since she was a newborn and she has grown so much! What a cutie! The kids got to play together and of course Ethan had to find the floor sweeper like they have in nursery. It was so great to catch up with them and see how they're doing. I miss you guys!!!
After Brick Oven we headed out to the BYU bookstore and to check out campus. It was so weird to drive past all my old apartments and old hangouts and see how much it has and hasn't changed. Everything there is basically the same, but my life is so different since BYU. Weird Weird. Anyway...I got to do some good ol' bookstore shopping AND see my "sister" Ashley! And I can't believe I got away without getting picture! Ashley, we should have gotten a picture! Ethan absolutely loved her and she totally entertained him while I finished up my shopping. We sat down and had some creamery brownies and talked until Ethan had a major meltdown in the middle of the Cougareat. Of course most of the people at the Cougareat are freshman or single people so they were staring at him and at me like they haven't seen a child throw a tantrum before. Heaven help us! So we had to say some quick good byes and were on our way to go up to my Aunt Nancy's house. The kids were anxious to see us and I was anxious to see them. I haven't seen these guys in like 2 1/2 years so they have grown up a ton! Ethan loved them instantly and he had so much fun with them! I can't believe I used to watch Morgan and Stockton and now they're watching my kid! Crazy! More posts and pictures to come!