So we are finally back from our whirlwind trip to Utah. We went for a wedding, but crammed as many activities as we possibly could into the week we were there, and we are exhausted. I will not be wanting for blog fodder for a while, but for now, I will leave you with some cool, funny, and just plain crazy moments from our little vacation.
1. While going through security at the airport, Bria's backpack was tagged for further screening because of some "suspicious" items seen through the x-ray. Turned out to be her entire rock collection, which is rather extensive, carefully wrapped first in saran wrap, then in aluminum foil, and then packaged in a ziploc baggie. That's each individual rock, mind you, and at least ten pounds of extra weight in her poor backpack. I have no earthly idea what possessed her to bring her rocks, but she did. And she made quite the spectacle at the security checkpoint while they were unwrapping all of these rocks because she was just sure they would be throwing all of her precious stones away. (They didn't.)
2. During a very long layover in Detroit, Joel took the girls to ride the shuttle a few times and to buy some cookies while I guarded our carry-ons at the gate. Apparently, while coming back to the gate, Sophia got on the wrong moving sidewalk. She was walking as fast as she could to keep up with Joel and the girls on the other side, even as she was being pulled backwards. The moving sidewalks in Detroit are loooooooong, and they were at the moment extremely crowded, so Joel had to reach over and grab her by the arm to get her back where she needed to be. She did not thank him for saving her from being lost in a sea of strangers, and instead did not forgive him for hours because he hurt her arm and her feelings and is such a mean daddy.
3. While in Provo, Joel and I decided to attend the temple, since we are 8 hours from any temple here in Michigan. On our way down we joked that maybe a sister from our branch who just reported to the MTC would be in our session, knowing that it would be virtually impossible for that to actually happen. I mean, what are the odds that her preparation day would be the exact day we chose to go, and that she would decide to go at the same time? Slim to none, and we knew it. Yet, there she was, in our session. Obviously, she was more shocked to see us there than we were to see her, since after all, we do live 2,000 miles away. It was all very cool and we called her parents as soon as we left the building to tell them.
4. On our drive down to Cedar City for the wedding, we came across some roadkill. We've made that drive countless times during our Cedar years, and dead animal sightings are certainly not uncommon. But this wasn't a raccoon or a deer, it was a freaking cougar. I feel sorry for the person who hit that animal, that's for sure.
5. About five minutes before the wedding ceremony was to start, Sophia needed to go to the bathroom. Joel quickly took her and then never came back. The processional started, and pretty soon I realized that my daughter was outside of the hall screaming her guts out. I couldn't go to her, because I was accompanying my sister-in-law in a musical number as soon as the processional was over, but I soon found out what happened. I had assumed it was because she wasn't a flower girl, which was her big tantrum during the rehearsal, but I was completely wrong. When Sophia opened the stall door in the bathroom, it completely fell off its hinges and landed on top of her. She wasn't hurt badly as Joel was there to catch it for her, but she was deeply offended. She was sure Joel had done it all on purpose and wouldn't look at him for quite a while. Poor Daddy, he can't win for losing. But seriously? The stall door fell off? When does that ever happen?
6. Finally, on our way back up to Provo after the reception I took over the wheel between Fillmore and Nephi after the first 3 1/2 hours of driving. (Yes, you read that correctly....long story and even longer drive, coming soon) It was nearly 2:00 in the morning and Joel needed to sleep. Bria and I were chatting as I drove when suddenly a huge white bird swooped down and nearly hit our windshield. First we scared Joel half to death as we screamed, and then we both quickly realized that it was a giant snowy owl, a la Harry Potter's Hedwig. Gorgeous creature, and I think having it cross my path must mean some sort of good luck.
And now, I'm off to bed, for I am running on about 2 hours of not-so-great-sleep in the past two days. My down comforter (to which I am allergic) beckons.
Good night!
Sunday, March 14, 2010

Lara Neves
Lara is mom to three daughters—two teens and a tween. She loves to share her parenting and homemaking triumphs and failures here at Overstuffed! She was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2015 and has been fighting it ever since. When she isn't working on her mother of the year award, you can find her reading, singing, or taking photos.
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Sounds like an interesting adventure!
ReplyDeleteAnd how does the door fall off? Crazy.
And these are just the starters? I can't wait for more UT trip stories.
ReplyDeleteAnd sorry about having to spend time in Cedar. I absolutely hate that place. I know, I'm going to hell.
Welcome home! Hope to see you soon!
ReplyDeleteGlad you caught your flight! Must have been a very snowy drive up north!
ReplyDeleteSounds like Joel has had a rough time of it with constantly saving his little princess (reminds me a little of Shrek the first one) and then having to calm her upset. Tell him to hang in there! As for your vacation...Wow! Such adventures and what fun! I can't wait to hear more.
ReplyDeletewelcome home!!
ReplyDeletelove the shares. lol the stall door really fell off...how strange is that?!
I love your view of the world! The way you tell the stories of the events in your life keeps me coming back for more. You should write a book, seriously.
ReplyDeleteWow-quite the adventure. I'm looking forward to hearing more details.
ReplyDeleteWhat crazy goings-on for a trip!
ReplyDeleteI love the coincidental temple meet-up from the sister in your branch. Amazing crazy wonderful!
I love a good travel story! Especially when the word good is defined very loosely!
ReplyDeleteWe just got back from a weekend trip to Jackson. Of course Cadence got tummy sick exactly as we were leaving and got over it exactly when we were coming back...
Now we have a major case of diaper rash to deal with...
Poor Joel. I hope your daughter forgives him soon. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is so AWESOME about running into the sister from your branch! How wild is that? Tender mercies, I tell you.
Wow! 'nuff said. :-D
ReplyDeleteCrazy. Can't wait to hear more.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I can't believe you have more to tell than that. How eventful! I LOVE the traveling rock collection. Darling.
ReplyDeleteSeriously?! The door fell on her? How does that happen?! Glad Joel was there to keep her safe!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the owl! Can't wait to hear the rest of your stories!
ReplyDelete(And there was a musical number and YOU were the accompanist?? Good grief, who is your sister-in-law? Pavoratti??)
That's a lot of adventure for one quick trip! Talk about memories. This is why I love vacations-- they're so unpredictable compared to the daily routines of life.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure! Utah really is a nice place though. Remember???
ReplyDeleteGlad you are home safe.
Also happy you are all home safe and sound, with rocks, and arms all still intact. What a crazy adventure.
ReplyDeleteDenae's comment made me laugh out loud.
Yikes. (Bathroom stall door falling off? Crazy.)
ReplyDeleteI got a Romanian comment on my most recent blog post.
Perhaps Hedwig was trying to deliver Bria's early accpetance to Hogwarts. :) And be glad you got stuck in the terminal you did in Detroit....the other terminals make slums look nice.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow. That IS whirlwind vacation. Poor Sophia, but maybe she'll look back and realize Joel was protecting her. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! And that's not even including the storm!
ReplyDeleteLOL Can't wait for more Sophia stories. It's such a fun age, and she is quite the character. It was great to see you for a few minutes, we even saw Joel at Sweet Basil on Saturday. Glad you made it back safe and sound, and that you enjoyed your visit overall
ReplyDeleteWell, if you're gonna travel 2000 miles for a trip you may as well make it worth it:)
ReplyDeleteIt seems like every time I go to the temple I have a very random encounter with someone I know. How does that happen?
I'm glad I wasn't the run to hit the cougar---but I'm not all that sad he's dead. Those things terrify me!
IN-sanity.
ReplyDeleteI think it's just reminding us that Utah isn't as celestial as it thinks it is. :)
My you did have some pretty amazing adventures! A cougar and a snow owl all in one trip? Bathroom stalls falling off hinges? And from what I am gathering a pretty scary storm? Can't wait to hear about that! Yup.. an amazing adventure! Glad you made it home safe.
ReplyDeleteI am convinced these things happen so that we have something to laugh about down the road. Glad you are all home safe.
ReplyDeleteyou flew into Salt Lake...then drove to Cedar City? OH man, we live in St. George and there was some horrible weather last Wed in Cedar, with multiple accidents, a young girl lost her life and her companion his arm was amputated... we had cold rainy weather and this last weekend in Salt Lake (we went there to see grandkids) was horrible! snowed 8 inches where my son lives....but your post was so crazy and yes even funny...these are the moments you will certainly remember! glad you made it safely!
ReplyDeletePoor Sophia! The world is out to get her!
ReplyDeleteHey, I just read Anna's comment - we went to Sweet Basil on Saturday! What a small world (although I didn't see Joel).
I'm glad you made it home safely.
I have long since suspected that if we are married eternally in heaven, then if we go to the other place, we spend eternity travelling in airports with small children.
ReplyDeleteI am laughing and laughing about the rocks, though. And I'm glad you didn't hit Hedwig!
Classic. That's all. Just classic.
ReplyDelete(The STALL DOOR?!)
Holy cow! Lived in Utah all my life and have never seen a cougar on the side of the road (or any where else for that matter :) or driven into (let alone even seen) and owl at night while driving. Musta been your LUCKY day :)
ReplyDeleteKristin
OK, that's a whole lot of weirdness for just one trip. Sounds like it was a fun adventure, though.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. You can't make these things up.
ReplyDeleteDid you say something about the door? That could be dangerous!
WOW, what great stories! How the heck can I possibly write a coherent comment that addresses all of them? Poor Joel—he's such a good sport, though. And I freakin' loved the snowy owl thing. I've never seen one in person, although I probably would have been terrified, too. The Tailor and I came home in the car recently; in the driveway he shut the engine and lights off, but we were in the middle of a conversation, so we just sat in the dark talking. All of a sudden a stray cat jumped onto the hood, right in front of us, which a huge WHUMP (cats aren't as graceful as you think). It scared the absolute daylights out of us, and we both screamed at the top of our lungs—and then the noise scared the cat away. Serves it right!
ReplyDelete