California Solo

At the beginning of August, I took a trip to CA to visit my family. Yes, just me. Ben had to work. (bummer, right?) Anyway, I spent a week just chillin with my mom and helping around the house. We were able to dye my hair, finish Emmas quilt, fold laundry, do dishes, cook delicious food and hang out with the family. It might be weird, but I really love just coming home and 'taking care' of my parents. they probably don't see it that way, but I like to help around the house more now than I ever did as a kid. Maybe because I know what a relief it is to not have to worry about the house being a mess and what is planned for dinner...

We did a dinner with the Eitel cousins and it was great to see them! I got to meet baby Noah and just hold him all night long. He's going to be so big next time I see him and probably not want to be held. :(

One of the days I was there we were able to go to my cousin Jazz's sealing.
Just the girl cousins with Gpa... cute!

Jazz and David after the sealing and my mom and her siblings/dad. 

Me and mom. We had dyed my hair just two days before and hadn't had a chance to trim it yet. That's why it looks kinda gross (in my opinion). Oh yeah, and it was like 105 that day (or felt like it).

On my last day in town we tied Emma's quilt. She has been working on this for a few years now and it's finally [almost] done! (Just the binding left) Aunt Ellen, Jill and cousin Meredith came to town to help and we had a great time all together!

Me and my chunky little friend for the day, Noah.

Mom and Emma with the quilt at the end of tying! It looks awesome, right?!

All in all, a great week in CA. I missed Ben tremendously, but only cried once. The Olympics kept me pretty good company along with the great family I have. Just as a little side-note, I left Ben a note/surprise for each day I was gone. Some were mailed, some were hidden around the house. Between the notes and the meals I prepared in advance to help him during his busy week of work/school, I think he was well taken care of. It was really hard to go on a vacation without Ben (especially by choice) but hopefully we wont have to do any more of those. Although, seeing his face after a whole week was a great feeling! Kinda made the missing him worth it.
Does that even make sense? oh well... 

That's all for the trip, can't wait to go back at Christmas time. Especially since Halie and Kendall will be there! We haven't seen them in over a year!