More trip highlights! We didn't document everything with the camera, unfortunately, but here are some shots that we did get:
Abby and Katie on the airplane . . . I had been dreading this flight for months, since I flew out alone with the kids. (Luke stayed and worked a few more days.) It actually went quite smoothly though! The girls colored and watched a movie while I wrestled with Alex . . . it could have been much, much worse.
We loved meeting our newest nephew, Brad. Katie especially bonded with him and followed Aunt Melba around for a week, wanting to help with every diaper change and every binky rescue. She was so sweet with her tiny cousin.
We also got to meet our newest niece, Bayla (snoozing here with her Aunt Lara). She is so tiny and adorable! She was born just 3 days before our arrival--lucky timing for us.
Abby and Katie loved doing craft projects with Grannie (my mom). Here they are making warm fuzzies, a childhood obsession of mine. She and Dad were so patient with our completely taking over their basement for two weeks! We loved being there.
Alex quickly learned his way around Grannie's kitchen (uncharted territory to destroy!) . . . and helped me make a yummy chocolate dessert for Christmas Eve.
Luke and I went cross-country toppling--er, I mean, skiing--at Silver Lake in Brighton ski resort. We had a great time with his mom (Nora), Grandpa Al, and Uncle Paul. Once I decided that 12 tumbles was plenty and resigned myself to skiing the flat area with 83-year-old Grandpa, I was set! 
Wow--we really miss the Cottonwood canyons . . .
Luke took a nice hike in Bell's Canyon one day with Grandpa Al, Uncle Paul, his dad (Scott), and our brother-in-law Sammie.
Abby and Katie made some delectable gingerbread cookies (and an attempted house :) ) with Uncle Spencer (my sister Anna's husband).
Here is the "Cousins Table" at Sunday dinner . . . Marian, Abby, Sam, Lucy, and Katie.
Santa made a surprise visit to Pops and Grannie's house one evening! Katie was quite freaked out by him, but Abby was pretty brave.
We helped cousin Emie celebrate her birthday (a little early) at Jungle Jim's. The three girls had a blast together; Alex wasn't so sure if it was his cup of tea.
We had a great cousins' outing to the aquarium in Sandy, followed by lunch at McDonald's . . . and plenty of silliness! 
What else could we have possibly squeezed in that wasn't documented in pictures? You'd be surprised . . .
- a visit to Temple Square to see the lights
- a chance meeting with the amazing Malugin family from the Russian branch (which we attended for a couple of years), and a great lunch in their home (authentic borsch . . . yum!)
- a pizza-and-Pass-the-Pigs party with the Millars and McMullins, some fun friends from medical school
- a girls' breakfast with Heidi and Bekah, my amazing "Cornpatch" friends
- dinner with my old Seminary Council (When I say old, I mean it! It's been 15 years, and it was so fun to see everyone.)
- a get-together with Adrian, Natalie, and Taylor Dayton . . . which is always a good time (Adrian and Luke grew up together)
- dinner and high-adventure bowling at Willow Creek Country Club with the Linscotts
- a fun party with the many, many cousins on my dad's side
- a unique temple outing with my parents and some of my siblings
- my first experience modeling for a painting . . . it's a long story, but it led to an intriguing adventure in Heber Valley with my parents and my brother, Joe! (we posed as Abigail and David from the Old Testament story)
- lots of hanging out, chatting, laughing, and catching up with our families . . . which we definitely needed . . . and now miss
What a fantastic trip!!
