Resting

Part II:  When we arrived in Santa Barbara Ryan still had two weeks until he started orientation, so we decided to head home to Reno for some time with the families.

We drove from Santa Barbara to Reno.  California is a big state and there is not much out there.  As we were driving up the 5 (the interstate the runs up the middle of California) we came to this area that smelled really really bad.  At the moment that we were both wondering where that smell was coming from we came up over a little hill to see mile and miles of cow ranch.  It was pretty funny,  "Oh that's were the smell is coming from."  It was really bad for several miles on the road.

The first weekend home we went to lake with Rod, Soda, Grandma, Aunt Rhonda, and Jackson.  It was a great day.  We all skied and enjoyed the sun.  

The entire next week we spent shopping for a new car.  We test drove a bunch and went back an forth but be finally decided on a white Honda CRV.  So far we love it and we have put almost 3000 miles on it already.

After we bought our car we broke it in by driving it to California to see my Grandparents.  On Saturday we all drove into San Francisco so see a Chihuly exhibit but it was so crowded we were going to have to wait for 3 hours so we didn't stick around.

That evening we went to dinner at Patrick Davids and had a lovely time out on the patio.

The next weekend was all about Kippy.  Ryan's little brother is leaving on his mission and he had his farewell while we were home.  All the brothers came home for the weekend and we had a really fun time.  Saturday morning Kipp went thought the Reno temple and then everyone came over for lunch.  Saturday afternoon we took family pictures and then had dinner together as a family.  Saturday night we all watched Alex conquer the Earthquake at Swensen's and then we went swimming out at my house.  Sunday we had a family breakfast and then church was a 1.  Alex, Rusty, Ryan and Kipp spoke.  They all did an awesome job.  After church everyone hit the road to get back to Utah so it was a very quick weekend together but it was fun.  As I am writing this Kipp is spending his first full day at the MTC (mission training center).  He went in yesterday and I have been thinking about him like crazy.  It brings back all the feelings I had entering the MTC.  He is going to be a great missionary, but we are going to miss him. 

The rest of our time in Reno was filled with hanging out, swimming, sewing, watching TV, golfing, playing tennis, cooking, organizing my closet, playing video games, eating, talking, and resting.  We celebrated Nicole's birthday while we were home and found out some very good news.  I am going to have a niece.  Nicole and Chris found out they are having a little girl.  Congratulations to them and me Aunty Whitney.

Ryan and Chris playing lots of video games.

It was really nice to spend time with the family and rest.  

Stay tuned for Part III