Utah in July

We were so excited about this trip to Utah because we were celebrating and participating in a wedding for Marcie and Grant Dexter!  The kids and I headed to Utah early in order to make sure we didn't miss it.  The direct flight there was totally full and looking worse and worse for the week .  I decided to go hang out at the airport anyway and hope for a miracle.  i bought Happy meals and had all sorts of plans for an FHE in the airport, unfortunately (or VERY fortunately) we made it on the first flight we tried for!  Jackson sat alone and I got to sit with the girls.  It was a great flight.  I tried to help my mom and sister plan more of the wedding.  We were thrilled when all the cousins finally came to town and our daddy made the final flight of the day (despite the odds being stacked against him).  The boys all went golfing together for a bachelor party on Thursday morning and all the girls started prepping wedding food and reception decor.  

The wedding dinner was Thursday night and Grants parents did an amazing job with it!  We enjoyed reminicing about Marcie and learning more about Grant.  I was 14 when MArcie was born and I was detemined to make her my own little baby.  I stayed up all night with her (or tried to) and stretched her legs everyday (so she could do the splits that I never could) and had her sleep in my bed with me to train me to be able to someday sleep with a husband.  I remember her bringing me so much joy every day I came home from High school.  My best memory was when I was home from college after a painful break up and was crying and Marcie was cuddling with me.  My mom called her upstairs and she went running up, explained to my mom thatI needed her and she came back down to be my comforter.  She is an amazing girl and I m so happy for her.

Friday morning we went to the temple and witnessed an amazing sealing.  They are both spiritual powerhouses, committed to God and His work.  I love their selfless service and love for everyone.

My aunts and uncles are so supportive of such a large family.  I love their love and concern for each of us.

At the reception the little girls looked fantastic.  It was such a great time to catch up with Tooele, Lehi and family friends through the ages.  I love that kind of a party!  My parents ( and their fantastic ward friends) did an amazing job of setting up the reception.

My sisters were so much fun.  I love being around them and their families.  

The day after the wedding party we through a birthday party for Jackson.  We have never had a cousin party so it was so fun to have our family around.  I also invited friends from our Orem ward, Lehi ward and even a friend from Texas who was in town.   Despite the cold temperatures, the kids had fun on the slide.  

Jackson with Ilse and Nora

Nixons, Morins and Dayton.

My best friends, Sandra, Stacey, Adrienne.  Love these ladies and the friends they are to me.

We had a fireworks show that night (apparently Texas doesn't allow street fireworks!)

I met my college roommate Amanda at the BYU wilk and met her husband and all 4 kids.  We've come along was but she is still the most amazing and inspirational person.  

Sandra and I took the kids to the Bean Museum

And hiking bridal veil.  I can't get enough of the mountains in Utah.  I feel like I took them for granted when I lived her before.  Now they are so majestic and amazing.

We also met my missionary companion up tibble fork lake, before it rained us out.

We also enjoyed chick fila's cow day

and Grandma Louines birthday party.  This is why I miss Utah, there is always so many family events and get togethers.  I miss having a place where we belong with family who we've known all our lives.

Entertaining ourselves at the airport

Japan Day 3 & 4 Kyoto

Our hotel in Kyoto was amazingly small, but the price was right and it met our needs.  

Once again, we crashed early and woke even earlier (2 am I think!)  We used our morning hours to make a plan for the day.  It was going to rain all day so our first stop was for umbrellas at the local convenience store.   We then headed to Arashiyama.  We enjoyed the bamboo grove walk in the rain and the tenryu gardens were fantastic, even in the rain.  We caught a taxi to the Ryoin Zen garden and I remember when my parents and I went when I came with them.  

We then ate a local conbini (convenience store) lunch and went to the kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple.  It was beautiful.  We had a few minutes of panic when we weren't able to get our debit cards to get us more cash.  Luckily we found a bank and had some American cash to exchange (otherwise, we wouldn't make it home!)  (Later in the trip we were able to find a place to get our debit cards to work... the post office).    We were pretty much soaking wet at this point.  Luckily, it wasn't cold.  

We took a bus to the Nijo Castle (and saved our aching backs).  The Nijo castle was an amazing site.

We were so hungry we found a vending machine shop in the train station.  The Curry Udon was incredible!  How can train station good be that good?? 

Vending machines on every corner

Curry udon

Day 4 in Kyoto

Our plans worked out perfectly, even though we didn't plan it.  We were up early and went to the shrine right next to our hotel Fushimi Inari.  It is one of the most famous shrines and it was perfect to see all alone.  Only a few priests were on the premises and we enjoyed hiking through 1000s of Tori and getting a great view of the city.  

The weather cleared up and it was a great day to rent bikes and see more of the sites kyoto has to offer. 

Kiyomizudera Temple

One of the great things at this temple was un-photographable.  We paid 100Y to go into a 'womb' (totally dark and tight cavern) and venture through the birth canal to a magical stone before emerging with a new life at the end.  Very memorable. 

The balcony

View from the balcony

 This place was CROWDED!  Even though we followed the instructions to be amongst the first there.  I can't imagine it later in the day!  We realized that it wasn't really our scene and we found a secluded and shady spot to have a snack and enjoy the peace. 

Dave under an aquaduct system

The Nanzen'ji Temple and Gardens.  

We biked around several 'preserved' streets from ancient Japan.  We saw these geisha girls.  The Japanese were taking a picture of this because of how big Dave is.  Notice how the girls are on a step and are still a head and shoulders smaller?  We were giants there.  Dave hit his head on many roofs and doorways.

We had lunch at a convenience store.  Their apple juice is so yummy!  We love the rice balls.  

 Our final stop was the Ginkakuji (silver temple).  There was a beautiful garden, but this site was crowded.

We went to a yaku niku (a meat fry) place for dinner.   You start up a little grill right at your table and they bring a raw stack of meats and you grill and eat to your hearts content.  It was a good experience, but not great food.

On the bus ride home we saw some beautiful Japanese girls.  

Day 1 & 2 Hiroshima   Day 3 & 4 Kyoto  Day 5 & 6 Himeji & Takayama   Day 7 Tokyo