My wonderful husband allowed me to take a trip back to visit my family. I know it has been very lonesome for him without me (I have missed him as well), but I appreciate him letting me return to finish projects at work that I started last spring and wasn't able to finish.
It was quite an accomplishment on my part to even arrive in Las Vegas as planned. First I had to get to the train station. Mr. Chen (and Donn) picked me up. With Donn's help I knew the words for purchasing a train ticket to Shanghai. I'm not sure if the teller understood what I said, but I did get the ticket I asked for and off I went to wait for my train. Getting on the train with a couple of large suitcases was a little difficult, but with the help of some Chinese Nationals, I was on and ready for the 23 minute train ride. We had traveled to Shanghai by train at least three other times, so I was pretty sure I would be okay. Unfortunately, my train made an extra stop in Shanghai. I was so confused because not enough time had past, but I knew we were stopping and the announcer did say "Shanghai". Luckily the passenger sitting next to me was able to understand what I was asking and he told me to wait one more stop. I was so happy I hadn't made the mistake of getting off.
My instructions upon arriving at the train station was to go to the South Exit. Two weeks ago we had spent over an half and hour trying to get to the South Exit, so in my mind it was going to be very difficult. Luckily I headed left and within two minutes I had found the Shanghai driver, Carlos. Off we headed to the Pudong Airport. I made it through Customs and got on the airplane with plenty of time to spare. My trip to Los Angeles was uneventful (thankfully). The only hard part was that the couple in front of me had a baby that cried for three hours straight. I was so happy when she fell asleep even though it only lasted for half of the night. It was a very long flight and I mostly watched TV. United Airlines had several movies that I hadn't seen so that was a bonus.
I arrived on Tuesday night. Brittany picked me up from the airport. We
had planned a road trip to visit Wyoming Grandma and Grandpa and were
leaving the next morning as soon as we had fed the babies. Our trip to
Provo (our stopping point for the night) was not the normal 5 1/2 trip
from Vegas to Provo, but rather an 8-hour trip. We were exhausted by
the time we got there. We also visited Lori and Dean. Once we arrived
at Grandpa Nimmer's house we visited with Lynn and Steve, Summer, Josh and their family, as well as Jessica Rivers. The next morning as we got ready to leave Brittany couldn't find her car keys. Two years ago on this same road trip she lost her keys as well. We tried calling everyone because the last place either she or I had seen them was in the cup holder on Steve's camp chair. It was, of course, Lynn's first day at work so she wasn't answering her cell phone and Steve was inside and his wasn't ringing through. Needless to say he went home and they were still sitting in the camp chair. He brought them over and after a quick trip to Kneaders for breakfast, we headed off to Etna, Wyoming. The four-hour trip was another long one, but we finally arrived. Grandma G (g = great) was so excited to see her twin great-grandsons. (She has her own twin daughters.) It was so funny, though, because she couldn't remember the twin's names. I guess that is what happens as we get older.
While home in Henderson, I also got to spend a Sunday afternoon with Adam, Shannara, and Miles. They had cooked a delicious dinner of Mexican corn, tenderloin with vegetables, and for deseret ~ peanut butter cookie topped with ice cream and Milky Way chocolate.
Miles is so adorable. He is such a happy baby, but he is getting so wiggly I am afraid that he is going to pop right out of my arms.
Once back in Nevada, we had to go try out the new Rita's Italian Ice. I had Swedish fish. It was so delicious. Today date (Sept. 10) I have visited three times. So much for losing that ten pounds I've gained since moving to China.
I have had a great visit with my children. They are totally spoiling me. I spend the weekdays with Eric and Eliza and then I spend the weekends with Brittany. I even babysat all five kids while they went out for their anniversary. It is quite a task to feed and burp both babies at the same time. I am not quite sure how Brittany and/or Tom manage this on a regular basis.
 |
| Carter and Crew |
This is the latest picture of the twins. As you can see, they totally look different if their eyes are opened. If they are sleeping, it is a little harder.
