First time back to Utah!

August (September for me) 2009 Mitch, Makenzie and I moved to Louisville, Kentucky for Mitch to attend medical school. Due to living from loans we haven't been able to visit Utah since leaving. On Thursday, May 20 we packed up our car and began our drive to Utah. We were really excited to be able to see our families and friends.

**Warning - A whole lot of pictures below!**
Makenzie was awesome in the car. She behaved much better than we expected, which made the drive a lot easier.



As we drove to Utah we had planned to stop at Fort Riley, Kansas to see my younger brother Colton. We were able to have dinner together and to see the post. Makenzie loved seeing her uncle Colton and being out of her carseat.

Makenzie and her Uncle Colton


The trip took us 30 hours from when we left Louisville including our stop in Kansas. I do have to say that I am a fan of driving through the night. Makenzie slept and we were just able to drive. Our drive back was barely under 24 hours, so it was a bit faster. We aren't planning on doing that drive again for a while!

We did have a great two weeks spending time with family and friends! Here is a bunch of what we did!

Makenzie taking a nap with Aunt Dano and Uncle Cam!


Stacey and I at her baby shower. I was so glad that I was able to be there! We are so excited for a baby boy to join the family.


The diaper cake we (Kate, Dan, Kylie and I) made for Stacey.




Makenzie with her Aunt Nikki!


Besides the snow the first weekend in Utah, the weather was pretty nice. Makenzie loved being outside. As soon as the door was opened she was there ready to go out.

Makenzie and I jumping on the tramp.


Makenzie and Mitch.


Makenzie with her Aunt Melis and Madyson.


During our trip it happened to be the last time that both Mitch's family and my family would be completely together for a while. Mitch's sister Nikki and her husband Matt moved to Arizona Memorial Day weekend for an incredible job opportunity. We've already heard it is super hot there (at least it is dry heat)!

Mendenhall (Mitch's) Family


One of the best parts of our trip was Makenzie being able to spend time with her cousins. She just loved to watch them do things she couldn't do yet and loved to play with them.

Makenzie and Madyson




Makenzie and Brooklyn


As mentioned above, during this trip was the last time that my family would be together for a while. Life seems to be moving forward. Colton actually came from Kansas for Memorial Day Weekend. He will be deployed to Iraq at the end of the summer. My older brother, Brian and his wife, Stacey and their soon to be born baby boy are moving to Virginia for Brian to attend Law school later this summer. Along with them, Katelin, Bryant and Brooklyn will be moving to Baltimore for an internship. Everyone has been given incredible opportunities, but they are just all over. The good thing (not to my mom) is that they are heading our direction. We'll hopefully be able to visit them. During the time that Colton was in Salt Lake we went to the Living Planet Aquarium together.

Mitch, Makenzie and I


Wotring (Lindsey's) Family


One of Mitch's favorite things to do is go four-wheeling. We always talk about when he is a "rich" doctor that we will get some of our own. So of course we needed to fit in some quality four-wheeling time.

One of my favorite pictures of Makenzie.


Makenzie and her Aunt Elyse


Ready for some four-wheeling!


We were able to help Melis celebrate her birthday. Mitch and I thought it would be fun to make her a birthday cake. We've been a little obsessed with fondant. I think I would love to take a cake decorating class when I have some time and money.

Melis' birthday cake. Happy Birthday!


Makenzie with her Aunt Katelin and Brooklyn.


Makenzie has the funniest habit. Mitch use to point at things and try to get her to look. He would also point at her. Well, she would see him pointing at her so she just started walking up to him and pointing back so they would touch fingers E.T. style. Now, when she is around people she'll just walk up and point at them and expects them to point to her finger too!

Makenzie and her Uncle Brian doing E.T.!


I think that the kids have realized that their moms take way too many pictures! Brooklyn is such a funny little girl. My mom was taking pictures and she decided that she wanted to be the photographer. She kept crouching down and saying "cheese" and "smile." It was so cute!

Brooklyn "taking pictures" of Makenzie and Madyson.


As you can tell we had a great trip. We spent a lot of time with family, but were also able to spend some time with friends. Some of the things that we did: went to lunch, saw a movie, went bowling, did a lifeguard/CPR challenge (me), went to lunch, played cards, went to dinner, saw another movie, participated in a wings eating contest, played some basketball, went out to eat again, went shopping, played more cards, saw yet another movie, and ate out several more times! We are so glad that we were able to spend time with so many people. We can't wait to come visit again, but also we love visitors!