BYU trip!

ROAD TRIP!!! After reading about a friend's adventures to the BYU game in Texas, we (erin) had this great idea to go on our own road trip. Requires much effort when wanting to go anywhere with 3 children. We decided to take a road trip to the BYU vs Utah State game. It just so happened to coincide with General Conference. We were able to round up tickets for Conference and headed to Utah with the Beckers.

DAY 1:
We left at 3:30 am.....Friday October 2nd - had to be there for game time at 7 pm. Before the sun was up, we headed out.
Stop 1: Flagstaff for fillerup - 28 degrees and freezing!
Stop 2: The Gap (45 minutes before Page, AZ) - interesting, still cold and we parked next to Beckers, one care on their side and other a foot from our van - stuck in the middle of a domestic distubrbance, several "F"-words later - in a matter of seconds, we hurriedly backed out of the gas station and left!
Stop 3: - unscheduled visit with Kanab Police Officer - Lea took a picture of the police car, but the picture was accidentally deleted from her camera. Two tickets (both my Jeff and Geoff Becker) and $180 later, we continue to Kanab for brunch around 10 am at Wendy's in our fav gas station there.
Stop 4: By now - for us, we're 2 stops too many for our trip to Utah.
Stop 5: trade drivers for our vehicle, my turn - just before entering the I-15 from the 20. Right before Beaver.
Stop 6: Some construction, but whew, we made it to Springville Walmart for diapers and a long-sleeved shirt for me. It's cold! It's about 3 pm now and we're headed to BYU Bookstore - I love this place! Beckers are on their way to see family - we'll re-convene at the game.
Stop 7: BYU BOOKSTORE! On our way into the Wilkinson Student Center, I hear "Jeff! Jeffrey!" At this I turn around to see someone I should know holding the door open for me. I did a double take because he was in the group calling Jeff. It was Jeff's cousins (dave's girls) and their mom Jane. They were on their way to the bookstore too. Warm hats and new BYU shirts, we're back out the door to my aunt's house (my mom's sister, Marietta).
Stop 8: We're finally somewhere to unload and relax. The kids are free to run around. My cousins were there and their kids. My Aunt and cousins were kind enough to watch our kids while we went to the game. When I was younger, my family spent countless hours at Mare's house when we'd take our trips to Utah from Washington. Brings back a lot of fond memories being there and hanging out with family. Lea and my fav cousin Jenny... :) has a daughter Lea's age. They had a great time together and were sad to part ways the next day as we headed to Salt Lake to stay with Jeff's brother Nathan and family. We gave our Sunday morning tickets for Conference to Jenny and her husband.

Lea, Elise, Lucas

Stop 9: Off to the game! Grab dinner at Burger Supreme - now it's 6 pm and closing in on kick-off. If anyone knows Jeff, we don't miss kickoff - it's frustrating for him, me I don't care, but Jeff loves every second of the game experience....notice I didn't say the game....it's the game experience..... subtle difference.
Met up with the Beckers again, Jeff's brother Steven and Elise (not the same as the little one mentioned above) and still more Risenmays we found - Amy, Paul and their son. Quickly downing as much Burger Supreme as we can, we take the rest with us and head to our seats - 3RD ROW!!!! (from the top of the stadium...) After much heckling from Jeff and other disgruntled BYU fans, several rounds of the wave and the BYU fight song, BYU wins something to something... :). I was just happy to be there - feeling 20 again and carefree!

Walked to Steven's apartment and played Beatles Rockband for a couple songs while traffic dispersed, then headed to my aunt's house for the night.

 End of day one: it was a long day, but so happy to arrive safely and had a great time with family and friends. 

DAY 2:

Spent the morning with Marietta, then headed to Salt Lake. Jeff was going to the Priesthood Session of General Conference and we wanted to spend some time with Nathan and his family during the day so the kids could play. 
Stop 10: Nathan's and then to the park. Back for dinner and men to Priesthood (also had tickets for my nephew Brendan and his friends who were down from BYU-I) while Mandy and I watched a movie and the kids watched a movie downstairs. Worked out great and we enjoyed being with them. I saw them this summer for the Risenmay reunion at the Oregon Coast, but Jeff was unable to take work off and join us. It's been a while since they'd seen each other - April at Eric's (youngest brother) wedding.

Lucas, Anna, Lea and Abbey

Everyone had a good time at the park.....Jeff showing off his rodeo skills.

"Should I eat it?! Mom said 'No rocks, no dirt, don't lick the sidewalk, but she never said wood chips....'"

Nah! I'll just pick it up and throw it down - who needs toys?!

DAY 3: On the road again.....

Day 3 was much like day one. Back on the road again. Alot of stops: Panguitch, Cameron, us in Flagstaff, etc, but we made it home and it was a memorable trip. More photos from the Cameron stop:

Babies "driving", the kids running crazy between the vans to bust out some energy and on to the final stretch of the drive. Good times!