The majority of May was spent visiting family outside California.  Susie, Lori, and baby Katie had purchased tickets to fly to Vegas to visit Jeff, Allison and Grant, and since we didn't want to miss out on any fun, we decided to join them!  The timing was actually perfect because I'd been wanting to get out to Utah to see my family anyway, so it just worked out to make one big trip of it.  Jeff and Allison, who for roughly five years had lived in Vacaville (of all places - thank you, Air Force), were reassigned to Vegas within weeks of Neil's move to California in the summer of 2010.  It's so funny and sad at the same time that we missed living within two hours of each other by only a matter of weeks.  But, that's life!  Anyway, I think everyone (with the exception of Dave, Jared, Brad and Courtney, who were not able to come and who we missed) was excited to get to Vegas to see Jeff and Allison's new digs and to spend time with one another!

Our traveling adventures began bright and early on the morning of May 1st, when we hit the road for the anticipated eigh-hour drive to the desert.

The drive was thankfully uneventful and relatively pleasant.  Upon arriving at Jeff and Allison's, we were greeted warmly by all.  Then, not a minute after entering the house, I received a text from my "Uncle Alfred" announcing Osama Bin Laden's death.  Not exactly the ideal topic of conversation to kick off a family vacation, but still very good news to hear!

The following morning, Jeff and Allison both had to work, so the rest of us entertained Grant for a few hours.  I also took a run, which was actually quite miserable.  The heat and dry air threw me for a loop, but the change in scenery was interesting.  And now I can say I've run in the desert while watching the Vegas strip.  :)

That evening (or possibly the following - I can't remember now), Jeff made his famous, amazing, delectable, heavenly, I-could-literally-just-eat-it-and-nothing-else-and-be-totally-satisfied fried turkey.  And it was, as usual, everything I hoped and dreamed it could be.

After dinner we drove to a park nearby and let the kids wear themselves out.

Ryan brought his plasma car, which quickly became the popular item, not just among the kids.

Over the next couple of days, we just hung around and relaxed, rotating between the basement full of toys, and the back yard, which was any child's paradise.

Our original plans with Neil's family consisted of a couple days at Zion's National Park, from where we would part ways and drive on to Salt Lake. However, when we left the early afternoon of the 4th, Jeff's land cruiser overheated about 40 miles into the drive. We stopped at a gas station to better assess the situation, but it was quickly determined that we weren't going much further.  With two vehicles jam-packed with camping gear and food, we really didn't want to turn back and go home.  So instead, we camped at a State park within about 10 miles of our location. It was called Valley of Fire, if I remember right. Wasn't exactly Zion's National Park material, but it actually turned out to be quite beautiful. I know, gasp!  Me, using the word beautiful in a sentence about camping. What are the odds? :)

It was HOT and we were all exhausted by the time we got in and found a good campsite, so initially we held off on unpacking the cars and instead grabbed our camping chairs and took a rest in the shade. 

Chloe and the boys had a ball playing in the red, sandy dust and climbing rocks.

Shortly after cat naps, we did a little hiking up a large rock structure.

Here's a view of our campsite from said structure.

After dinner we did more exploring and playing...

It's incredible to me the intricacy of these rocks.  They really were beautiful.  And the kids couldn't get enough. 

That night after dinner, we had hot chocolate and sat around the campfire. Neil and his siblings talked about camping trips of years past, which there were many of, I hear.  It was really neat listening to the stories and I can easily see how such activities could create lasting memories and bonds between siblings and loved ones.  Neil has said again and again throughout our marriage how much he enjoyed those times with his family.  I look forward to creating similar memories with our kids as they grow.  It was a pleasant, and relatively warm night, enjoyed under the stars with good company.  The following morning we ate, packed up and drove back to Jeff's.  This had not been in our original plans, but the thought of spending a full day in triple digit temps with no water did not appeal much to us.  Upon arriving home, we migrated to the pool, where we pretty much spent the whole rest of the day.

With the kids fully engrossed in the many fun activity choices before them and plenty of adult supervision to go around, Neil and I were able to slip out for an hour to go see the Vegas temple. I LOVE visiting temples, and was really excited for the opportunity to see this one.

It was wonderful to walk around even for a few minutes and feel of the sweetness that abided there.

Driving home, we passed this mammoth of a plant.  Looks like a big creepy spider!!

That evening we went back to the park and played one last time.

Oh what laughs these pictures will bring when Grant and Katie are teenagers!

Later that night, after kids were in bed, Neil and I snuck off to Walmart to buy Jeff a birthday present and ingredients for my special queso.  When we got home we presented Jeff's gift, which was the glorious game of Mexican Train, then proceeded to play it while enjoying the yummy queso.  Not far into the game, it occurred to me that today was Cinco De Mayo.  Made me laugh.  What a more appropriate way to (unintentionally) celebrate this holiday than with a game of Mexican Train and some chips and queso.  :)  I think I was more entertained by this realization than anyone else.

The following morning, May 6th - Brad and Courtney's 2nd anniversary and my Aunt Valeri's birthday, we said our goodbyes and hit the road, Salt Lake bound.  It was a really fun visit with Neil's family, and we were sad to go. Not too sad, however, because we knew we'd all be together again only four months later on the glassy waters of  Lake Powell.  Thanks again for hosting a great vacation, Jeff and Allison!

We have a new nephew! Todd Wesley Andersen was born to Jeff and Allison on the 12th of July at 11:16pm. We received a phone call from Jeff at 12:16am on the 13th, just an hour after Todd's birth.  Jeff told Neil that he was itching to call someone to share the news, and since we were the only family on the West coast, he figured we were a safer bet than say, Grandma Susie or Brad and Courtney, who are East coast.  I'm sure they would have welcomed a phone call at 3:16am with news of a new grandson or nephew, but it was nice of Jeff to let them sleep and awaken us instead.  :)   

Todd weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 20 inches.  He looks pretty cute in the pictures I've seen, and I'm not gonna lie - I'm excited to snuggle with him at Lake Powell in September. 

Good job, Allison!  And congrats to you, Jeff and big brother, Grant!  We love you!

Yesterday celebrated many things. 

#1 - My brother-in-law, Jeff's birthday. 

Jeff is currently deployed, and expected to come home within the next month, last I heard.  We hope, despite the circumstances and lack of loved ones nearby, that his birthday was special.  We love you, Jeff!

#2 - Ryan's 18 month birthday, which means..... drum roll please.....

Given the nature of Neil's and my callings, there have been a handful of Sundays we've had to take Ryan to the Nursery.  He has done amazingly well, and yesterday was no different.  It simply marked his first official day on the roll.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself.  I've gotten so used to chasing him around during Primary.  It will be a nice break, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit sad.    

Making magic with play dough.


Scopin' things out.


Is this handsome, chubby cheeked, blue eyed boy of mine really 18 months?  It just can't be!

 And last, but not least... #3 - Mother's Day!  What a privilege it is to be a woman!  And what a privilege it is to be a mother!  I cannot think of a greater honor than to bring a child into the world, raise, teach, love, nurture, learn from, and enjoy all the blessings of that joyful challenge.  I have yet to witness a miracle more grand and significant than motherhood. 

I'm grateful for the women in my life who have inspired and helped me to see what a sacred and divine role womanhood is, and who have molded me into the woman and mother I am today.  My mom, whose Christ-like love surpasses all.   My mother-in-law, whose influence has produced hard-working children with healthy habits, the oldest of whom I call "husband".  My grandmothers, whose experiences have provided perspective and wisdom that I otherwise wouldn't know.  My aunts and sisters-in-law, who each bring unique gifts and attributes to the table.  My dearest friends, who have been sisters to me, mothers to my children, and who have strengthened and lifted me in times of need.  The women of the Church, whose faith and perseverance simply astonish me.

{Hannah of the Old Testament with her long awaited son, Samuel.}

Gordon B. Hinckley said,

Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.”

Beautifully said, and so true.

I am grateful for these two, who made me a mommy. 


They make me crazy, but there's nothing I'd rather do than spend my days with them.  And that's the truth.  Happy Mother's Day!

Goofing around with Chloe at Brad and Courtney's wedding.