Surprise!

This last week, the kids and I were able to take a surprise visit up to Utah! A good friend of ours, Jessica, went up to surprise her sister-in-law by showing up to her graduation in Provo and asked me if I'd like to ride up with her so I could visit family! Of course I jumped at the opportunity and decided to keep it a secret! 

So Monday morning, Chris, Samantha and I loaded into her car early and we drove all day! 

We stopped in Flagstaff for lunch and it was there that I called my mom and asked her if she was busy that night.  I told her that a friend of mine was driving up to Provo and I needed her to come and pick something up from her for me...Of course my mom, being the wonderful mom that she is, said she would. I told her that she would meet her at the University Mall, then I asked her if she wanted to know what it was that she would be picking up... ME AND THE KIDS!!! She was so surprised and excited! It was fun to surprise her! 

We ended up not pulling in to University Mall until almost 11:00 that night (we forgot to take in to account the time change! oops!) My mom was super sneaky and was able to get my dad to go with her without telling him what she was getting!! Sneaky, Sneaky!! :) When we pulled up I jumped out and ran over to him! I think he was pretty surprised too!

When we got back to their house we went right to bed...the kids were excited but pretty tired from the long days trip!

The next morning we went over to BJ's parents house to surprise them...but no one was home! So, I called BJ and he called his dad's office to see if he was there.  He wasn't but his sweet secretary said that she would call him back to the office and make his stay without telling him why. So we headed over to his office. When we got there the kids and I walked in and the secretary met us at the door. She let us go right in. When BJ's dad saw us he was so surprised! It was fun for the kids to run up and give him great big hugs!  We stayed and visited him for a little while, but then he had to go to a meeting, so we headed off to BJ's grandma's house to surprise her! She was shocked to see us too! Then after a little visit with her we headed back to BJ's parents house to see if his mom was home yet...and she was! We pulled up and the kids jumped out and ran right in and upstairs to where she was! They didn't even wait for me!! :) Grandma was SO surprised! We had so much fun with all of our surprises that day!

We stayed the rest of the day there with BJ's family. The kids played chess and UNO with Uncle Jason and we played a lot outside on the beautiful green grass!!

During our quick visit to Utah we also made a surprise trip out to Sandy's house! When she came to answer the door and saw Chris and Sammy on her porch she grabbed them into her arms and hugged them!! The kids sure love Aunt Sandy! We let the kids play there with their cousins and Nana, Sandy, and I played with beads, making more watch bands! We had a good time! 

Leandra was so excited to see Christopher!!

Nana made Samantha a cute little bracelet and necklace! She felt SO pretty!

We also, of course, had to make a stop at Leatherby's! They have such good ice cream creations! I got Tracy's Peanut Butter Cup! Yummy! 

Friday, came way too fast and it was time to take the drive back to Tucson. We had such a good time and are so glad that Jessica thought of us and invited us to come along! It was a great little vacation, but it was hard to say goodbye. Luckily, we will be heading up to Utah again in a month to stay for 2 weeks! And this time, BJ and Chico will be coming with! Yea! We're excited to be able to see everyone again...and see those that we weren't able to see on this trip! 

Here are some more fun pics from our little trip!

Sleepy kids on the ride up to Utah!

Sammy reading a book with Grandma

Sammy LOVES to dig in the dirt in Grandma's garden!

Chris going in for the steal!

Uncle Brandon teaching Samantha how to juggle!

UNO with Grandpa

UNO only lasted a short time...Tackling Grandpa is much more fun!

Grandpa let the kids drive the lawn mower! They did such a good job! Notice the patterns in the lawn!! Too fun!