Utah Highlights (and lowlights)

Since we have been home for almost a week now, it's time I catch you up on our adventures in Utah.

Speaking on behalf of Tom, I would say his highlights were the following:

-Sharing the "green cloud" with Travis (if you don't understand what that means, you are far better off). Travis claims this caused him to exhibit symptoms of nausea and vomiting. I have my suspicions it was actually a stomach bug, as Aunt Jen and Carly both got sick as well.

-Spending an afternoon at the airport w/ his dad. What better way than to piddle the afternoon away than with other airplane enthusiasts.

-Doing donuts in the snow in unnamed vehicle

-Hanging out with his brothers

-Eating Ligori's pizza, his favorite pizza in the entire world-literally!

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As for Sam-I-Am, here are some of her favorite memories:

-Playing in the snow

-Playing with cousins on both sides of the family

-Sleepovers at Lynsie's

-Sleepover at Grandma's with Carly

-Going to a movie with Lynsie, and another movie with Nicole

-Seeing Grandma Rickenbach, as we don't see her very often

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While I had many highlights, I'd like to start with the low points:

-Chasing Tommy around the Phoenix airport for two hours, as he was possessed by some unknown force that caused him to act like the worst toddler ever! I also enjoyed comments like "He's hell on wheels, isn't he?" or "My, you've got your hands full, don't you?" Not the best thing to say to a mother on the edge!

-Being so cold I had to use space heaters and a heating blanket to thaw out at night.

-The kids, and myself included, all getting colds and infections. It's quite a joy dealing with two sick kids when you're sick yourself. The best part was Tommy's vomit at 3 a.m. I know all you mothers can relate!

-Waiting, waiting, waiting, for little Scotty Pippen to arrive. Of course, he debuted the day I went home! (Since I know I'm done with the newborn, itty bitty days, I love to cuddle someone else's!) Someday soon I'll find it in my heart to forgive you, Scott.

-Flying back to Arizona with Tommy--while he was better-behaved in the airport this time, the flight was a whole 'nother story!

But it wasn't all bad! Here are some of my favorites:

-Seeing a lot of the nieces and nephews and reminding them of their favorite nicknames: Carlita, Nicolette, Petno, Lynard Skynard, etc. If your child is with me for any length of time, guaranteed they will leave with a nickname.

-Having a Christmas party with my family, where all except for one sister was present. It's the first time we'd all been together again in over a year.

-Having a white Christmas again--I've always thought South Weber looks like a little Christmas village in December.

-But my all time favorite was . . . . landing in the Arizona sunshine!