A trip to Utah!

We made a trip out to Utah over Thanksgiving break. 

This was a very last minute decision. 

We were going back and forth about it until 2am on Thursday morning, and we left at 6am. 

Once we committed, I got it excited about it and figured I would document our first big road trip as a family, maybe even make a little video about it. 

I guess the stark Wyoming landscape lulled me into a stupor because I failed to take a single picture. The boys did really well in the car, we were armed with lots of snacks and new toys. The last hour was pretty bad, but otherwise we did okay. Max was in love with all of the windmill farms we passed, I guess it isn't hard to impress a two-year-old.

We made it just in time for Thanksgiving dinner, and it was so special to spend the meal surrounded by family. My Nana, Aunts, and cousins had never met Max and Eli, which was long overdue. It was exciting for the boys to meet the extended family!

After dinner, I made a trip up to the hospital to visit my cousin, who had just had her baby, Ava, the day before. 

Demi is so dear to me, like a little sister. She stepped beautifully into motherhood, surrounded by loving family.

Welcome Ava Jayden!

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We showed Max and Eli around Salt Lake City, and we just so happened to be there for the lighting of the Christmas lights at the Temple. Max was going crazy about all of the Christmas trees and the horse-drawn carriages. 

We have not traveled much over the past couple of years with two back-to-back pregnancies. This was the first time the boys have been out of the state, their first hotel room, and they loved all of the new experiences.

Thanks to a broken serpentine belt, Julian even ended up eating at his beloved In-and-Out.

Max loved having his cousins to play with, he immediately connected with Bella and pretty much followed her around for two days, it was so sweet to see. 

The days passed all too quickly, and soon it was time to head home. This time we drove through the night while the boys slept in the car.

I had 10 hours to think about how thankful I am for my family, both immediate and extended, and my dear friends who are also like family to me. 

We had a great Thanksgiving and look forward to our next trip to Utah!