It's been a few years since we went to Women's Conference at BYU. In January I received an email about it and emailed my mom. I thought it was something that maybe we might be able to do this year. My mom talked to my Pops and he wanted to go too. My sister Sarah and fave SIL Lindsay also wanted to go. We emailed back and forth several times on flights and hotels. I decided to fly out of Bakes since it would be really affordable for me and Luke found a good rate. The remaining crew decided to make the drive from Roseville.
My flight was originally scheduled to depart at 10:30 which was perfect. After I booked, that was changed to 6:30am. So....I was up and out the door to the airport the same time my fam was leaving Roseville.....5am. I couldn't wait to see all of them!
I got into Phoenix around 8am and had a five hour layover. Somehow I passed the time with an hour of scripture study, reading magazines on my Nook and walking. I got over 10,000 steps walking around the terminals....trying to find something to eat. I really dislike flying and I get nervous being away from the family. So, my stomach was pretty queasy....but I knew I had to find something. I settled for a BLTA at some joint where I had to sit by all these strangers, cafeteria-style.
My reward for waiting five hours in an airport, was having NO ONE sitting next to me on the flight to Salt Lake. I was pretty thrilled. I moved to the window seat, arranged my pillow and took a nap. It was the only thing that got me through the rest of the day.
Pops was driving Lindsay's minivan and they pulled up to the airport terminal right as I was getting my luggage, so it was perfect timing. Its a 30'ish minute drive from SLC to Provo, so we got on the road. On the way our we stopped by Franklin Covey so grandma could do some shopping. She was a happy girl. We checked into the hotel in Orem and then drove a few miles to the Cracker Barrel in Springville. It's really hard to get five people with different diets to agree on food. We encounter this every time we go to Women's Conference. My stomach was still feeling a little uneasy so I was able to have some lighter items that seemed to sit well. What I really wanted was their blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup! :)
The next morning we were up bright and early. We headed down to the lobby to eat breakfast 1t 7am and then we were headed to BYU....which was a few miles down the road. My sister Sarah was prety sick with bronchitis so she wasn't sleeping well and struggling with her energy. BYU is pretty large campus so there was a lot of walking to be had.
This is us remembering there is no Diet Dr. Pepper on campus.....so sad.
Leaving the opening session and on our way across campus to our first session. Grandpa always livens everything up and makes grandma laugh.
Towards the end of the day Grandpa grabbed some frozen custard after waiting for grandma to do some shopping at the pop-up bookstore tent.
We met up with my dad's sister, Peggy and Pam during the closing session on Thursday. (Peggy flew to Boise and then drove down with Pam)
Thursday evening Lindsay and I wanted to do a little shopping and I remembered there is this waffle place called "Waffle Love" that I wanted to try. It was wonderful. I wish we had more places like this in Bakersfield. I would weigh 200 pounds, but I would love it!
I found this shirt Friday morning at the bookstore and sent it to Luke. He says it should say "Mormon girls with bangs." Yeah...he isn't too too much of a fan of the bangs and I just had them cut the day before I left. Good thing they grow....and that he loves me anyways. :)
Lindsay and I went to two great sessions today. The first class was on teaching resilience to our youth and the second was on looking for the good and bringing out the best in your marriage. I wrote so many things down. Hopefully I can keep them in my thoughts and actions at home.
Friday morning Sarah stayed home and slept. She wasn't feeling well. We got home from the last day of conference around 5:30 and she was showered and feeling better. We met Peggy and Pam at the Texas Roadhouse for dinner. After dinner we headed back to the hotel and crashed. We were tired from all the walking...and lack of sleep.
Saturday morning we ate breakfast, checked out of the hotel in Orem and headed to Salt Lake, where we would staying our last night. We eventually ended up at Temple Square, after a few stops.
The tulips in Temple Square really are my favorite.
They are EVERYWHERE and so big.
My fave SIL likes to capture my ugly, fanatical moments. By Saturday afternoon I am REALLY, REALLY missing Luke and the kids. My stomach is in knots again, thinking about the flight home on Sunday.
Can't I just click my heels together and be home?!
We finished up Saturday with a stop at the City Creek Center shopping area, across from Temple Square. It's a new shopping area and it's fabulous. I had an awesome salad from Kneader's Bakery and Lindsay kept me honest. I really wanted to try every pastry in the joint, so I'm glad she was a good influence on my diet. On our walk back to the car we even saw the actor who plays Phil Dunphey on "Modern Family." Lindsay heard his voice behind us and we turned around. He had a beard and paper boy cap on, but it was him. He had his two little girls with him, so I didn't snap a photo of him....even though I wanted to.
We checked into the hotel and then headed to Cafe Rio for dinner. Our adventure was almost to an end. After dinner we headed back to the hotel, cleaned up, packed up and everyone was in bed by 9:30pm. Lindsay and I stayed up chatting and giggling for an hour and then we crashed.
My flight left at 7am, with another layover in Phoenix. Thankfully I was back in Bakersfield by noon'ish. Luke and the kids met me at the airport with flowers! So thankful for Luke and the kids and the opportunity I have to go to BYU Women's Conference with my parents and sisters. It really is the best time and I count my blessings everyday.
That Stop Wasn't On My Itinerary....
So the Hogue's made it to Florida for our first official family vacation. It was Sawyer's first plane ride....and Simon's first plane ride that he can remember. We were excited....the boys were stoked. We had everything we needed! But it seems that Sawyer packed something with him that wasn't on our checklist: a big case of pneumonia. Yes, the little fella made it almost one whole day in Florida before he started heading downhill fast. Our 2nd day in Orlando we were in the Urgent Care south of Cocoa Beach. (By the way, to see a doctor more quickly, it helps if you vomit all over the waiting room in front of the receptionist. Little tip for ya) After chest x-rays they advised us to head to the ER in Melbourne, where they eventually admitted him to the hospital. So, we had 3 night deluxe accommadations at the Holmes Regional Medical Center. The little whipper snapper was a trooper though! The nurses loved him, thankfully, and made us all feel right at home. We were going to send postcards out with pictures of the hospital since we spent 40% of our trip there...but they didn't have any. Imagine that!Hmmm.....maybe its something they should consider.
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