Surprise, Utah!

One of the most fun things we have ever done: Surprised Utah!
We weren't going to make the trek out west this summer. We were going to save, pay off and not deal with two small children on a five hour flight.
Well, we all do things we think we won't do. Luckily I have a best friend that made our summer dreams possible.
After the 4th and 24th of July passed us by and we were wanting to be in the Beehive state to enjoy them with family, I put my foot down, called Breanne and got packing for the next flight to SLC. And when I say I put my foot down, I mean I mentioned it to Brian and he agreed immediately that he wanted to go. I just like being dramatic and bossy.

After the decision had been made (which we literally made less than 24 hours before take off), there was a period of about 30 minutes that we thought we might not go.
We had already told Thad we were going.
This is what he did when he thought we might not go:

He kept yelling, “I want to go to Utah!”
Ok, boy, we’ll go to Utah!

Getting on this flight was no easy feat.
We quickly threw together 2 carry ons, a back pack and diaper bag and rushed out the door to pick up dad in the city from a meeting he HAD to attend that day.
Of course there was traffic. So we got him later than we thought.
Then there was more traffic. The Lincoln tunnel is a very popular way to get to NJ from NYC…Especially at 4:00 in the afternoon.
We finally made it through and sat in a little more traffic, but got to the parking lot. The shuttle was coming which meant we had to HUSTLE to make it.
We made it. When we went to check in, luckily we only had carry ons or we would not have made that flight. You’re supposed to check in 45 minutes before a flight…we were there with 42 minutes left until take off.
EEK!
Some wonderful people let us go ahead of them in the security line, we sailed through, made it to our gate and walked straight to the back of the plane where our 3 empty seats waited.
It was perfect. The seriousness of the fact that we nearly missed the flight didn’t even have time to sink in because we were SOOOOOO excited to go.
So glad we made it!
Of course our boys were angels on the flight.

Todd and Kelsie met us at SLC International (them and Bre were the only to know of us coming), and we headed off to begin the surprises!

Grandmas were BEYOND excited. We even got a few tears out of Grandma Teresa!
Exactly the reactions we were hoping for.

Grandma Cindy helped me surprise Brig, and we got her a little choked up which made me happy.
Haley and her kids showed up a little later and were mostly excited to see our very chunky baby!

The Madsens were last on house visit surprises and as you can see, they were pumped!
Thad was a bit disappointed Sadie was at a play date, but luckily we got to see some of our besties.

So a huge reason we wanted to come is because we knew the whole family was going to be at the Whitehouse cabin.
We hadn’t been to the cabin since Thad was a baby, and there is nothing like being there with the whole family!
We got there and loved every minute of it!
Good food, good fun and even better company.

We seriously love these people. Right away, they began indulging Thad in his silly 3 year old games.
He loved it.

Thad hiding. Very inconspicuous.

He will take all the love he can get.

This is one of the best things about the cabin:

Nobody checking anything on phones.
Sometimes I wish I had no service at my house.

Grandma Teresa brought books from when dad was little and I think Kelsie read each one 100 times, Teresa each one 50 times and Todd each one about 20 times.
Again, thank you family. We love you.

Luckily we talked Grandma and Grandpa into staying an extra night at the cabin. We love that place!

Although, that meant they really made us work for it!

It was such a great little vacation for us and we are so glad all four of us could be there.
Nothing like a weekend with family in the mountains.
A big thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Whitehouse for making it happen!

In the midst of it all, Brian and I took a break and came back up to SLC to celebrate with friends:

Robby got married!
Brian was so excited when he found out he was going to be in town for this and was able to make it for the luncheon because Mrs. Faux was so kind to give up her seat.
We seriously have the greatest friends.
Kristen and I met the boys at the reception and it was so wonderful to see some friends that we hadn’t seen in years.
Yay for weddings!

Before Brian headed back to CT, we did a little Utah touring.
We realized Thad had never been to Temple Square, and none of us had been to City Creek, so we figured we could all experience some firsts together.

It was really sweet to have Thad see the Salt Lake Temple for the first time and talk about how it is where mom and dad got married.
They are so smart.
We hope to make trips like this a more regular thing.

I’m so happy I get to spend my forever with these boys because of the beautiful building behind us.

It was a perfect day to traipse around Temple Square and soak in all its beauty.

We stopped to see the Christus before meeting friends for lunch, and it was a really wonderful experience to see our boys see that beautiful statue.

And this will go down in history as one of my favorite photos.
Watching my husband talk to my son about our Savior and have him understand.
So special.

Some of the best people we know.

City Creek is a very beautiful place and will definitely help preserve the beauty of Temple Square.

And Dad was off and left the boys and I for an indefinite amount of time.
Not a good idea for me to have choices about when to leave.
You will soon find out!