Over the river and through the Woods, to Grandmother's house we go!

We had the blessing of being able to go to Utah to spend time with my family and celebrate Thanksgiving a few weeks ago.  Brooklynn and I flew out on Nov. 18th while Joe took a PMP course and a test for Project Management, then he flew out on the 23rd and we all came back together on the 29th.    I really try to never take for granted any time that I can spend with my family.  Since I live out of state now, every second is precious.  It was so much fun waking up in my parents' home every morning, and getting to see them and watch them interact with Brooklynn.  She loves her Grandad and Grandma!

I was nervous to fly by myself with Brooklynn this trip since she is now a little bit older, and I worried she would want to be all over the place and not sit still.  She did such a great job though!  The timing of our flight was great for naps, and she fell asleep during take-off on both legs of the trip.  That was a big sigh of relief!  That, and I never had to change her diaper on the plane!  Hallelujah! =) I sat near the back and one of the stewardesses had Brooklynn squawking with excitement playing peek-a-boo with her.  Pretty sure Brooklynn was peeking over my shoulder during the entire flight, looking for her.  SO cute!

When we got to Utah, my dad came to pick us up!  That was a fun treat!  

A funny story.... That first morning we woke up at my parents' house, I sat Brooklynn on the floor to play and she kept putting her face down on the carpet!  We have hardwood and tile downstairs at our house, and upstairs our carpet is textured.  I think she was just in awe of how soft their carpet was, and just wanted to lay on it!=)  So funny!

 

 One of my favorite things was watching Brooklynn interact and spend time with her cousins, my parents, and siblings and their spouses.  Seeing how much everyone love her, and how much she loves them just melted my heart.  We all got together at my parents' for our Sunday celebration of Thanksgiving, and then my brother and his wife had everyone over for breakfast one morning. 

The pic on the left was in August when we were last in Utah.  Brooklynn was 4 months old then.  She was 7 1/2 months this time, and Braden still loves to hold her.  How cute is that?!

These kids play so cute together!  It's so crazy to think all these little kiddos have joined our family in the last 4 years!  I absolutely love just watching them interact, and seeing how much they resemble their parents.  I love watching my siblings being parents too, and seeing the way they respond to their kids, and handle different situations. It's such a fun phase of life! My brothers were down on all 4s giving horsey rides one night, and it was just the cutest thing ever!    

Another highlight of the trip was getting to spend time in the kitchen helping prepare the food for Thanksgiving Dinner.  It's something I miss.  I had a lot of fun with my mom, learning how to make tarts.  Growing up, she made them but I never took time to watch and learn.  Now that I'm the mom at my house, I really wish I would have paid more attention to certain things=)  So, I made sure to pay attention this time.  As always, it was a treat getting to assist my dad.  He made some wonderful dishes, and the food is always spectacular!  He puts in a lot of time, effort, and money, and I miss being able to try all his new recipes!

 Of course, at the Griffin household, there is always a plethora of delicious food.  This trip was no exception!  My dad brined the turkey and it had the most incredible flavor and it was so moist and delicious.  He also made the best ribs I have ever tasted anywhere in my life!  Hands down!!

 There were several trips to the restaurant I miss the most.......Cafe Rio!  I LOVE that there is one in the airport now!  That is usually my last meal before heading back to Texas.  That salad is SO yummy!

There was a trip to the temple with my sister and her husband, my parents, my aunt, and my cousin who leaves for her mission on Wednesday.  That was a really special experience, and I'm so grateful we took the time to go together! 

 There was a day of crafting together, and of course laughing together!  I love getting to do these little things with my family, that I don't get to do on a regular basis.  

This is the cute sign my mom made!  I have since made one for myself=)

I usually help my sister with decorating her house when I'm home.  This time was no exception.  I love that she has something to remind her of me whenever she sees it!  We picked out the fabric together, and I made her some pillow cases. We also made a cute mustard yellow felt wreath.  

While I was home, my best friend, Ashley, took me to get a massage as a belated birthday present.  Pretty sure I felt like I had died and gone to heaven!  I hadn't had a massage since before my last two pregnancies!  It was such a relaxing and tension releasing experience, and a perfect gift!  I could fall asleep just thinking about it!=)  ha ha!

I got to spend a lot of time with my sweet sister, and my mom, and that is always one of the highlights of my trip.  There's just nothing like spending time with them and getting to go shopping, or out for lunch, or just hanging out together....... it's the small every day things that I miss the most.  

We got to go Black Friday shopping together, and we had so much fun!  I stocked up on clothes for Brooklynn for this time next year.  Joe wasn't super thrilled when I came home with 2 big bags from Old Navy, but he'll thank me later!=)  50 Percent off everything at Old Navy is hard to beat!  

I always get my hair cut in Utah, because I LOVE how great of a job Michelle does!  This time I decided it was time for a change, so I chopped it off and got bangs!  I must say that I am loving the change!  Brooklynn was constantly pulling my hair when it was longer, and I have been in pain a lot less since chopping it off!=)

Saying goodbye is always the hardest.  I didn't think it could get harder than it's been the last 4 years, but having a child and watching my parents and my siblings and her cousins say goodbye to her just about broke my heart in half.  

This was our "happy face" right before we had to say goodbye at the airport and the tears started flowing.

I am very grateful that I am able to fly home as often as I get to.  It is always such a special time when I get to spend time in Utah with my family.  I'm so thankful for each one of them, and that they always try to make time for us when we come to visit.  The special memories we make together will last forever!