OtterPops: Trip to Utah and Aggies Game

In September we ventured our way across the Nevada desert to attend my brother's wedding. It was a whirlwind trip wherein we stayed at 5 different places on a 6 night trip. The kids did as well as could be expected. The first night we stayed at my parent's house so my dad could hitch a ride with us. I gave him every out and warning possible about traveling with 7 people in an 8 passenger vehicle (not to mention that included 4 kids under 6 years old...One nursing baby, one potty trainer, 1 who has frequent meltdowns and outbursts from everyone in general) but he said he was still up for it.

Of course the day we were supposed to leave I not only realized we were overdue for an oil change (thank goodness the mechanic came to our house, picked up the car, did the oil change while I was teaching preschool then delivered it back home), but someone also used our credit card fraudulently so we had to put a stop on our credit cards. LAME! It all ended up working out but it was stressful trying to get packed and out the door. Thank goodness I hired my 14 yr old neighbor to watch the kids for a couple hours so I could complete what I needed to by the time Jared got home.

We had a blast staying with Jared's parents and seeing all of his siblings who were so good to take time off of work and school to spend the day with us. We also got to meet up with our good friends, the woolfords (well, at least some of them) and all of Jared's aunts and uncles who joined us for roasting s'mores in the backyard. The kids loved playing with their cousins even for 24 hours and Jocelyn kept asking "Now why don't we live in UT?"

Girl Cousins

Boy cousins

All the cousins at kangaroo zoo

Grandma with the girls

Great Grandma with the kiddos

Jared with his Grandpa Charlie

3 Generations of Otterstrom boys

We attended the Centerville reception for Katie and Brian-Which was beautiful despite the rain shower that threatened to ruin it during the first half hour (thanks to Rachel & Katie for making sure we were dressed appropriately ;) then we stayed at Cam & Kristina's house that night. It was so fun to see their new house, take a walk around Daybreak, ride on their awesome scooter with the side car. The next morning we picked up Emily and Marcus at the airport on the way to Logan. Despite the close quarters in the car we had a good visit on the way up to join the rest of the family gathering.

Uncle Cam taking the kids out on a scooter ride


With the happy couple at the reception

The theme was burlap and lace with other color accents. So beautiful!

On Friday Jared and I took the kids to the Bluebird restaurant for lunch. Not only is it a Cache Valley Classic, but that is where we went on our first official "date"! Not super impressed with the food we ordered or the kid's behavior but a fun idea and the dark chocolate almond turtle Jared got afterward made it nearly all worth it :) We stayed with Greg and Maren that weekend. Well, we crashed and overtook their townhouse is probably more accurate, but we so appreciated their help with everything from babysitting, to feeding us, to running errands, to getting kids ready. Gary and Diana joined them Saturday in watching over kids and Jared so we could attend to wedding festivities and responsibilities. My MIL and Maren not only watched our kids but my nephew as well. I'm pretty sure I have the best in laws ever!

At the bluebird restaurant. Jocelyn photographer

Since we were all in town and happen to all be USU alumni, my family decided to meet up for the USU homecoming game. Jared had to bow out due to a kidney stone, but his Dad stepped in to use his ticket and we had a blast! Greg and Maren live right by the stadium and got free, close parking for all of us. Yet another way they saved the day that weekend... The kids and I left around half time due to hunger and impending rain but it was well worth it. Thankfully, Jared's mom kept Emma home so we could enjoy the game and not have to worry about keeping her warm and happy. Jonas was so excited to be at the game and spent most of the time trying to find Big Blue. But when the mascot came to our section he started crying and saying he liked the big blue on the field better! After the game my dad loaded up with some Aggie ice cream so the two older girls and I hung out at my Grammy's log cabin. Luckily we got to meet some of Kelsey's roomies and friends and catch up with everyone.

Tausha Em Cait and boys

Cait and kids at game

Dad picking us up for the game

The grandpas in line for tickets at the game

The wonderful crew that got us through the weekend

Jonas brought this all the way from CA for the game

After the wedding we drove the next morning to Idaho to visit my grandma Nell and to stay the night at Nate and Tausha's. Grandma Nell is always so good to make sure we are fed and cared for and she let the kids feed the cows. After that they fed the pigs at Tausha's parent's house and realized pigs aren't as clean and glamorous as they seem in the books. They bought a house this year and it was so fun to see their beautiful home, garden and family and visit with them for an evening. It was too cute to see Florin and Emma playing together! We also got to see the school where Nate teaches and Mr. Anderson's classroom. Now I can picture where they are and what they are doing when I talk with them-I always love that!

We drove home the next day and survived, luckily. We weren't sure how it would go since Jared was still uncomfortable after having his kidney stone and we came home to a broken water heater. Laundry had to be postponed and baths were delayed but Jared and a plumber from our church replaced it the next night so all is well now. We were just glad we were all home safe and (mostly) sound. Jonas brought home a cold and he and Emma have been suffering from that ever since but it could have been worse!