Another Weekend in Utah

I don't think I've been to Utah twice in one year for YEARS, and now I've been twice in 2 weeks! This weekend we headed off to Utah for Conference Weekend. We promised Spencer and Annie last October that we would take them to General Conference this April so they could attend in the Conference Center for the first time. We knew it would be a memorable experience for them to watch Conference inside the Conference Center. We had NO idea that this weekend would turn out to be such a memorable one for ALL of us.

The weekend started out with us arriving Thursday afternoon. Adam had to work so after dropping him off the kids and I headed down to Julie's. Jackson and Natalie got home from school shortly after and the kids raced around playing, being loud and loving their time with their cousins.
Cute Cousins!
Later that night, after picking Adam up we headed off to dinner at Tepanyaki (sp?) which was SOOOOO yummy. When the chef started tossing shrimp into everyones mouths, even Logan and Brady participated! They were soooo excited about it!

After getting the kids in bed we hung out playing guitar hero and then all fell asleep watching a movie! My Crazy Guitar Hero Sister!
Adam and TJ knobbing around on the computer checking out cool cars!

Friday morning Julie headed off to look at houses with her Realtor while I met Mindy, McRae and Ty at the "KID BARN" bouncy house fun center with my kids plus Brady and Natalie! They bounced around for a few hours while I was able to sit and chat with Mindy. Even though we were just there a few weeks ago it was wonderful to be able to sit and catch up. Since she moved from CO 3 years ago we joke that we miss eachother more when we're together! It is really true though! It's always hard to say goodbye again!

Friday afternoon Spencer, Annie and Garett got to go play at Ty and McRae's and then the boys slept over! Annie came back to Julie's and hung out with her cousins and favorite babysitter Brittnee (we love brittnee!) while Julie and TJ, Kerry and Mindy and Adam and I went out to dinner! I loved introducing Julie and TJ to Kerry and Mindy! We all had fun eating, chatting, telling funny stories and laughing!
Kerry, Mindy, Adam, Me, TJ and Julie
Saturday morning Adam and I went to Conference with Adam's parents. It was a very special day for all of us as the news of Adam's Uncle's new calling was announced. After the session we were able to go see Uncle Todd for a few minutes and then headed back to Julie's after picking up the kids from the Armstrongs (thanks for taking the boys you guys! We love you!)
Greg, MarJane, Me and Adam after the Saturday Morning Session
The rest of the day was filled with back and forth trips from Grandpa and Grandma C's for visits with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. After Priesthood session all the adults met at Grandma and Grandpa's for the "Post Priesthood Session" Pizza party that has become tradition over the years. It was so fun to see all the cousins and got us really excited for the family reunion we'll be having this summer! Bryn, Me, Laura, Rainey and Claire (Michaels Fiance)
Sunday morning Adam and I were able to take Spencer and Annie with us to the morning session in the Conference Center. It was so fun to see their faces as we walked into the beautiful building. Annie kept smiling and saying "this is so big". While we were waiting for the session to start the General Young Men's President walked by and shook Spencer's hand. He asked him if he was preparing for his mission and Spencer with a solid hand shake answered "Yes I am". It was so cute!
Papa and Grandma with the kids inside the Conference Center
Adam, Me, Spencer and Annie after the Sunday Morning Session
After conference we went over to Uncle Todd's office so Spencer and Annie could say hi since they hadn't seen him yet. They were thrilled when we walked in the office and he said "Well there's Spencer and Annie!" They gave him big hugs and he told them a cute story about when Adam was on his mission in Michigan and Uncle Todd visited the area. Adam has shared that same story with me many times and its one that has always been special to him. It was neat to hear Uncle Todd tell the same story and know it is a special memory to him as well.
Uncle Todd with Spencer and Annie
After we left Todd's office we took some pics in front of the temple with Kevin and Laura! It was so good to see them and hang with them a little over the weekend! They are so cute and fun and the kids ADORE them!!
Adam and I
Lovely and Kevin (so happy and so cute! We love you guys!)
Sunday afternoon we hung out with Julie and TJ watching conference. It was such a crazy weekend I feel like we didn't get to spend very much time with them and just want to give them a shout out for being so supportive and loving with us and our kids! Thanks for watching them for us and for putting up with our comings and goings all weekend! We love you and I'm so glad we have you guys living close again (still wish it was closer though :-)! After hanging with Ju and Teej, we stopped for dinner at Grandma and Grandpa C's on our way to the airport. We made it home just before midnight and though exhausted are so grateful we were able to be in Utah for this special weekend!

Since we've been receiving many emails with lots of questions, I thought I'd just answer some of them here for those who have the same questions:

Are we related to Elder C? Yes, he is Adam's uncle. His dad's older brother.
When did Uncle Todd find out? Thursday. We didn't see him before Saturday morning but Adam's parents did and said he and Aunt Kathy did a great job keeping the secret.
When did we find out? At the same time as everyone else, when Elder Uchtdorf announced it on Saturday morning. We HONESTLY had no idea. Neither did Adam's parents, grandparents, cousins, etc.
Did we know we were on TV? Not until we recieved emails and phone calls after the press conference was over!
I hope that answers some of the basics for those who are wondering! :-)
With the events of the weekend we are feeling very excited and very blessed about Adam's Uncle and his new calling. He has always been a wonderful, kind, loving man and we know he will be wonderful in his new responsiblities.

Thank you to all of you who have sent emails, voices messages and texts to offer your love and support to our whole family. We love you!