As we were leaving Carlsbad, Glen took a little bit of a detour to drive up our street and turn down Chestnut so he could see a view of the ocean one last time before heading north to Las Vegas.
There he is--the professional mover--driving, driving, driving...
We stopped in Barstow to eat lunch.
Then more driving, driving, driving until we reached Las Vegas, Nevada.
We spotted the Stratosphere Tower--a definite sign we were driving past the Las Vegas Strip.
We found our hotel and invited Sarah's family over for a swim. This is how they greeted us.
Time for a swim!!
We took the family to a Japanese steak house where we were entertained while our food was being prepared.
We went to Sarah and Jeff's home and got a tour. Sarah was very proud of the checkered wall she had painted in Eli and Carson's room.
Lincoln was showing us the toy room/loft area while Jonah was playing with the toys.
Lincoln and Jonah's room.
Jeff and Sarah's room.
It always warms my heart to see children enjoying reading books.
Next day the Excell family was ready and waiting for us to go to church with them. But first--family doorstep photos!!
I was feeling very pampered when Sarah fixed me a beautiful sugar-coated-nut-covered salad for lunch. I felt like I was dining at a fine restaurant.
Glen was exhausted and stretched out on the couch for a nap. Jeff also took advantage of nap time.
Lincoln wasn't feeling like a nap.
Sarah, Carson, Eli and I were feeling like it was game time.
We ate a delicious Sunday dinner.
Then it was time to gather together for Come Follow Me--or Night Light as they call it.
Glen was teaching the lesson and had the children acting out the Bible story he was telling. Money was part of the story--he wasn't bribing the children with money.
We always had a family cheer at the end of Family Home Evening and the Excells have a family cheer that ends with their hands all piled together at the end.
Then popcorn and family movie time.
Glen did a little house cleaning while Eli was working on a paper he got from Primary.
The next morning we stopped at Sarah's house to pick up some freezer and refrigerator foods we had left with her before we left town and kept on our homeward trek to Utah.
Eli did a great job taking this photo--complete with his finger in the photo.
Sarah had fixed the boys a crepe breakfast
But no time for dawdling--Glen was in work mode and was anxious for us to be on our way. He was checking the mileage and there were a lot of miles to cover until we arrived home.
I had so much enjoyed the ocean and palm trees while in California, but I was definitely admiring the mountains and rock formations as we got closer to home.
We stopped in Beaver for gas and I was enjoying the Beaver bench at the gas station.
There's the Payson Temple.
And more mountains.
Glen's heart swelled with happiness as we were driving past the BYU exit.
And then he spotted it--Y mountain--when he pronounced he now feels like he's home again.
There's still snow on the mountains.
We had to make a stop in Orem to deliver some stuff to our mission nurse's son. It's the least we could do after all the service she rendered to us.
There's Salt Lake City!!
There's our exit sign, but we were in the HOV lane and couldn't get out...
...so on we drove to the next exit.
The extra few minutes were making the grandchildren crazy with excitement to see us.
Dallas and Rebecca's family were there to welcome us home.
Grant and Diane Stewart came from across the street to greet us.
Todd and Kim Brimley had brought over a little treat and some beautiful flowers.
Caroline and Madison were happy Ben and Haley joined us so they could play with baby Kade.
Everyone got busy carrying in boxes and unpacking them. Brooke was a little worker bee!!
Rebecca made a delicious dinner for us and Haley had brought dessert.
It was nice to have the helping hands. We appreciated all the love everyone had shown to us upon our arrival home.
Home, sweet home!!!
Dallas and Rebecca's family were there to welcome us home.
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