- HEADING HOME

This morning I headed back to California. I always hate to leave.

Abbey and Kelsey, in their princess nightgowns, waiving goodbye from the front porch.

Gas price in Layton, Utah this morning.

I drove home on the new Legacy Parkway Freeway. It was very impressive and SO uncrowded. This is my new favorite road. It took me from Kaysville to I-80 near the Salt Lake Airport in no time at all.

I have always wondered about this sculpture on I-80 just east of Wendover. I always think I'll stop and check it out. Today I noticed a sign that said "Emergency Parking Only - no parking or pull-off". I clicked a picture and did some research when I got home. It is called "Metaphor: The Tree of Utah" The Tree was created in the early 1980s by European artist Karl Momen. It was dedicated in 1986 as "A hymn to our universe whose glory and dimension is beyond all myth and imagination." The sculpture is 87 feet tall, is constructed of 225 tons of cement, nearly 2,000 ceramic tiles and tons of minerals and rocks native to Utah. The sculpture is located on the westbound side of Interstate 80, (also known as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway) about 95 miles west of Salt Lake City. The inscription on the trunk of the tree is from Schiller's "Ode to Joy" from the choral climax of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Near the base of the tree are several spherical elements reminiscent of fallen leaves. Pretty interesting sculpture - and the only thing worth photographing for miles and miles ;)

I stopped for gas in Fernley, Nevada (my gas light was on). I was surprised that gas was only 6 cents more than in Utah. I waved to Dan and Shauna and wondered where they lived.

I arrived home at about 8:30 p.m. I drove the speed limit the entire time. Yes, it takes about 90 minutes longer to get home when you drive the speed limit ;) I was REALLY surprised that the price of gas in Placerville was as low as it was. Only 12 cents per gallon more than Utah. That's a first!

- JACK'S BLESSING DAY

Today Jack Gregory Carlson was blessed by his father. It was such a wonderful day. We had a houseful of family after church. We ate and visited and took turns holding sweet little Jack. I'm so glad we could be here!!

Jack, dressed in the little white outfit we bought yesterday. It was hard to find something small enough for him! He's using the blanket I made when Kelsey was blessed. Abbey was wrapped in it on her blessing day too. (It was much cooler when they were blessed).

Jack is such a sweet little baby! This may be the only time all weekend that he wasn't held by someone! It's hard to put him down, he's such a cuddly baby!

We had a feast! I'm so glad Angie married someone whose family loves food as much as we do!!

Greg and Angie Carlson with THREE kids! Oh my!

My mom and Vicki drove up for the blessing. It was so nice to see them. Scott was here too, but he moved in the photo and it's blurry! (You did that on purpose, didn't you Scott?)
L to R - Alyssa Casper, Angie Carlson, Tami Casper, Sheila Richens, Vicki Jeppsen

Kurt and his youngest brother Bruce. They look more and more alike every year.

Bruce and his boys - J.M., Peter and Michael.

Greg's family - from Green River, Heber City, Logan, Layton and Provo.

Angie's family. We missed having Tyler with us. Next time for sure!!!!!

Kelsey and Abbey waving goodbye when we left Utah.
This is our tradition.
It always makes me cry.

- UTAH SATURDAY

Today we spent the day playing with grandkids. We played Zingo, Princess Memory, puzzles, hide and seek, and we even got to watch Abbey "bathtize" her princess figurines in the bathtub! They showed us their latest gymnastic moves, sang Disney songs, and recited scriptures. I brought Kelsey a Dick and Jane reader, thinking she could use it learn to read. She picked it up and read it! I was speechless!

Alyssa gave me and Angie pedicures. We even have cute flowers on our toes!

While we were busy with the kids, Angie and Greg stole a quiet moment to themselves. I'm sure they don't get many of those these days!

At one point Abbey disappeared. We went in and found her asleep on Angie and Greg's bed. I guess we wore her out.

About a month ago, Kurt and I saw an episode of Diners, Drive-In's and Dives on the Food Network Channel featuring this restaurant in Roy, Utah -THE BURGER BAR. They were supposed to have amazing hamburgers. We took everyone there for lunch to find out if it was true. I've got to say, I ate the best hamburger of my life today! The milkshakes were delicious too! A new Utah tradition for us!

MY GIRLS
wearing the cute sweatshirts Alyssa bought last week in North Carolina.

Aunt Alyssa and Kelsey.

I always have to stop at Taipan Trading when I'm in Utah. Alyssa managed to find the one firefighter-related item in the entire store (and it's a big store). I'm pretty sure this photo was for Alax.

Abbey eating her favorite food - ick icks (fish sticks) with dippa dippa (ketchup or ranch).
She is so much fun!

- UTAH

We left California at 5:00 this morning. Alyssa was the first to doze off.

Kurt did most of the driving, as usual.

Looks like Utah has it's share of fires too. We were feeling right at home we drove into the valley and saw the smoke near Tooele.

Grandpa Casper meets Jack for the first time.
It's love at first sight!
Alyssa takes a turn. Jack's growing so fast and has changed so much since we saw him last month!

Grandpa telling stories and dispensing Smarties.

Dinner at San Francisco Sourdough Pizza in Layton. Yum!
Angie and Jack going for a walk in the yard.

Grandma looks a little tired?

Bingo time!


Abbey loves it when I blow bubbles with my gum. She waits patiently to pop each one.

Grandpa looks tired too?

Burping Jack. This kid can burp!