U.S.A. day 16 at Temple Square

Noah and Gage made a map of Temple Square in Salt Lake City. We read articles and learned about the buildings there and then drew them on the map with a checklist of what we wanted to do when we got there. Throw coins in the fountain, hear the Nauvoo bell ring, find the big dipper on the mural, touch the temple.

I hope they felt the spirit of this special place. I hope they soaked it all in. And I hope they'll remember it.

U.S.A. days 12, 13, 14, 15 in Brianhead

(taken on my phone)

Day 12 started on the Bunker Creek Trail with niece Ali and nephew Jake. Those two are great mountain bikers. Somehow Ali lands on her feet every time and all we could see of Jake was a lot of dust. The trail was great, single track, up and down, bumpy and fast. Perfect for a hot and sunny morning.

Day 12 finished with the whole Wagner family in one cabin.



ATVs could fast become one of my favorite things. Greg and Lisa brought theirs to the cabin and boy did they get some use over those 4 days. Don't you want to see what's down this trail? It's gorgeous, I promise. Strap on your huge helmet and hop on. There's nobody else out there - except the deer, the birds, a quick brown fox, and some guys in a red pick-up.



Here's the view at the top of the Brianhead ski lift and this smart little cookie, Claire. Best back seat driver you ever met. She taught me everything I know about driving a 4 wheeler from her class on the farm.


Or have a s'more with this handsome little man. He makes them good and gooey.

David and his brothers.

Gage and his cousins.

We loved: giggling with cousins, the tree house, late night conversations, geocaching, riding atvs, playing funny games, hiking in the wind, mountain biking, smacking the pinata, ladies' day out to Shakespere, men's golf morning, scrabbling, watching the kids' faces as they bravely tried some Singapore treats, hanging on the couch, jamming to the ukulele, viewing homemade music videos.

What a blast.

U.S.A. day 9 camping

Camping up Big Cottonwood Canyon with the Crandalls. Or is it Grandalls?

Some things we learned: when they say its a one tent camping site they mean it, sleeping on a picnic table is not comfortable, if you leave your tin foil dinners in the kitchen at home don't worry because your mommy will bring them to you, Glen and Rebecca cook an amazing breakfast on the camp stove.

Some things we already knew: Noah and Sarah have great imaginations, Spencer is the nicest card player you'll ever meet, kids love flashlights at night in the woods, hiking with cousins makes you go faster, the Donut Falls are gorgeous.

Happy Birthday to Gage!

Gage Christian turned 3 on July 14th. Happy Birthday to Gage!

About 10 times a day this cute little man will come up to me and say "Mom, I love you" in his quiet sweetie voice. He gives the best hugs and kisses and loves to cuddle. He loves to ride bikes, scooters, or anything with wheels and could be happy outside all day. He could also play Grandpa's old Nintendo all day if you let him and can take Mario all the way to level 2. He loves to swim and will run and jump into a swimming pool with a big smile on his face.

We celebrated his birthday at Grandma and Grandpa Wagner's house with heaps of cousins, cupcakes, and swimming at the pool. We also took a tour of the Sweet's Candy Factory and watched them make jelly beans and cinnamon bears from behind the yellow line. And since it was Gage's birthday, Sweet's let him pick any box of candy from the gift shop. His choice: a big box of Cowboy Mix. What a lucky kid.

Happy Birthday Giggs. We love you!

U.S.A. day 4 in Park City

We spent a day with Dave's sister, Liz, and her family. First to Park City to ride the Alpine Slide. I forgot how fast that thing can go!

Then to Heber for lunch.

And then to the cabin in Sundance. Noah and cousin Courtlyn ran a secret club upstairs. Gage and cousin Natalie threw rocks in the creek all night long. The rest of us played a good game of Snarf, freeze tag through the woods, kick the can, tackle basketball. We even climbed up the mountain and rappelled down an old rope. We ate pizza, roasted marshmallows and the boys fell alseep to a movie. Such a nice day.

U.S.A day 2

We spent 24 hours on planes and in airports to get to the The States. The boys did great. We spent another few days adjusting our days and nights. Goal: no sleeping while the sun is up. Again, the boys did great.

First thing we noticed: The U.S. is huge. Huge stores. Huge cars. Huge spaces. Huge people. Things we had missed: driving a car, MEXICAN FOOD, ice cream, basements, familiar etiquette, plush carpet on bare toes.

We spent the first part of our trip in Utah with David's family. This picture is from day 2 at cousin Parker's soccer game. It was nice to catch up with Rich and Megan's family. It's these small moments I love the most - duck-duck-goose with cousins, conversations on the side lines, ice cream while watching the news.

4th of July

I was 17 when I spent my first American Independence Day out of the country. I was deliriously happy to be where I was and too distracted to feel sentimental about being away from home. That is, until that night. I joined a big group of Americans at the Hard Rock Cafe Paris and somewhere between the crusty french fries and blasting ‘Paradise City’ I felt it. I missed home. I missed feeling understood. I missed my Grandma’s broccoli bacon salad. I missed watching the fireworks over the Columbia River. And I missed my country. It didn’t stop me. The next day I was still insanely happy to be there but the dull ache stayed with me until the landing gear hit the tarmac on the right side of the Atlantic.

This year was another Independence Day out of the country. Again we joined a big group of Americans. We rode the MRT out to a friend’s for a BBQ. The boys made their own American flags along the way. When they were finished they both started waving their flags yelling “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” They had lots of practice cheering after watching the U.S. play in the World Cup. But since we were on a train full of Singaporeans we tried to get them to save the excitement for the party.

After the BBQ we headed to the American Naval Base where the American Association of Singapore was throwing an real American celebration. Live bands, balloons for the kids, fried chicken, hot dogs, burgers, even yummy burritos (which are hard to come by around here). We didn’t stay long because of the rain. Broken flip flops sloshing through mud doesn’t help either.

But we did see the fireworks. Big, loud and beautiful. And I felt it again. I missed home. I missed my family. I missed feeling understood. I missed Costco. And I missed my country. But the ache was different this time.

This time it was expected. Even a little required. And can I say refined?

We boarded a plane for the U.S. a couple days later. Geared up and excited to see our family and to just. be. there. And just like everyone says, it did feel really good when the customs guy at the airport handed me back my passport and said “Welcome home.”