28 November 2010

We got our fill of snow this week as we traveled to Utah and Idaho for Thanksgiving. When it wasn't snowing, it was freezing, with temperatures as low as 14 below. Helen was the only one of us to actually play in the snow.

We stopped at the Miller Bird Refuge in Salt Lake. Brandan proposed to Becky while standing on this stone bridge 16 years ago.

We stopped by the University of Utah. The large juvenile literature section in the library definitely interests Sophie.

We stopped by Temple Square. The decorations were the best we've seen.  We like how easy it is to approach the temple.

We spent the first half of the week in Utah visiting with Brandan's family. Helen, Abe and Sophie draw dragons with Logan and Kaylee.

Sophie enjoyed palling around with her sweet cousins, Salem and Sutton. 

On Wednesday we drove to Idaho-- through the snow, of course. We spent Thanksgiving at Keri and Joe's house with Becky's family. Sophie and Zina liked playing with Gage and Hayden. Having twin cousins meant they could each hold a baby.

Here Grandma attracted a crowd by feeding both of the babies at the same time. 

Here Grandpa swordfights Sy. 

More swordfighting-- this time Abe and Sy with light sabers. 

Here's a photo of Brandan putting chains on the car the 3rd or 4th time. He got very efficient at the chore, not a skill he was hoping to develop.

The snow was a pain, but the time spent with the family we dearly love was well worth it. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we give gratitude for the many, many snowplows we saw on highways all along our way. They worked day and night, holidays and weekends. Without their work, our trip would have been impossible. We'll never meet the operators of those plows, but we are very, very thankful for them.