On the Road Again, April 2014

A few months ago, Eric asked if we could go to General Conference when he got home, so we requested tickets through our stake and got them for Sunday afternoon session.  That meant two days after his arrival, we headed over to Utah.  We spent some wonderful time with Tyler, Jaimee, and their kids as well as with Paul, Joni, and their girls.  We got to watch all of conference and Eric got to attend both sessions on Saturday with friends and Sunday afternoon with us and an old missionary companion at the conference center.

Kimiko and Jaxon were leaving Utah to return to Mississippi the night we arrived, so we got to see them for a few minutes before they left.

We had the wonderful opportunity of going to Mike's mission reunion in Alpine on Thursday night, April 3. Sister Bangerter was there as well as a lot of Mike's missionary companions and other people that Mike knew from his mission.  He had such a good time reuniting with old friends and we learned about the history of the church in Recife.  It was a very enjoyable evening.

Eric went home with Tyler and Jaimee and kids while we went to the mission reunion.  We spent the night at Jaimee's dad and stepmom's lovely home in Lehi.  They were so kind and generous to let us stay with them.  Friday morning, we met up with Eric and Tyler's family for a delicious French Toast breakfast at Kneaders and then Mike, Eric and I headed down to Provo.  We did a little shopping at Deseret Book and then met our Colorado friends, Patti, Ralph and Marissa for lunch at JDawgs.  It was delish!  Love that place.  We got to go to the wonderful art exhibit at the BYU Art Museum on the life of Christ.  It was outstanding.  We met one of Eric's best mission friends, David Huckvale, afterwards and the two of them drove us back to Grant and Teresa's where we met up with Tyler and Jaimee and kids for a fun evening.  They then returned to Provo for their Florida Jacksonville Mission reunion with President and Sister Barry.  It was really great for Eric to have this reunion so soon after returning from the mission field.  He loved being with everyone and seeing his original president and his wife again.

I got this cute picture texted to me by my sweet friend, Shelly Trane, who took this little gift to Charlotte in St. George while they were their for Spring Break.

FJM Reunion, April 4, 2014, Provo, UT

Saturday Conference at the Conference Center.  They had excellent seats!

We arrived at Paul's after the morning session of conference.  Eric came up after the afternoon session.  It was so fun to see their darling family again!  Ellie and Reese were happy to be with us and we enjoyed every minute of our time there.  Mike was happy to have two of our son's go to Priesthood session with him.  Madison came down from Logan and spent the night with us there as well.  So much fun!

This is Jennifer Haywood, Elder Haywood's mom.  He sent a box over from Longmont and she came to Paul's to pick it up.  It was fun chatting with her and getting to know her a little bit.

 

 Mike and Paul worked out in the yard a bit. We loved playing and reading with these darling little girls. Joni and Paul fixed us wonderful meals including lasagna and  grilled steaks on Sunday. Paul and Joni's home is in Farmington, just west of the freeway and Lagoon.  They have done a lot of renovations and the results are fabulous!  They put in all new flooring on the main level and repainted the kitchen cabinets!  Big job, but so worth it. They also painted every room in the house!  Good job, guys! Beautiful home for a beautiful family!

Outside the conference center, Mike, Elder Phelps, and Eric

Conference was so uplifting.  Every talk was so good and the choir was fabulous as always.  We were so happy to be able to be in the conference center for a session.  It was so great for our newly returned missionary son to be so spiritually fed as well.