Our Trip Down I-15

It has been another wonderful weekend as we were blessed with the opportunity to travel down south to another missionary companion's wedding. When I was transfered to Laredo, TX, I was transfered into a threesome with Hermana Akoi and Hermana Henstrom. It was a companionship that created friendships that have lasted since then. And we have been blessed enough to have been able to attend both of their weddings, one month from each other.

We left our home on Thursday, April 26 at lunch time and traveled as far as Rexburg, Idaho (8 hours with stops). The girls traveled quite well, especially since they had Aunt KK to keep them entertained in the back . We drove 5 hours before stopping to let the girls run around and stretch their legs a bit. Skai and Esther loved running in the grass and collecting giant pine cones that had fallen from the Ponderosa Pines. We also got to see some horses and dogs, which helped tie them over until we got to Emily's house in Rexburg. We stopped 1 more time in Butte, Montana for gas and a delicious dinner at Quiznos (our first time eating at that restaurant). We had some coupons left from our Hawaii trip that we were able to use, which we were grateful for. We arrived at Emily's new house in Rexburg by 8:30pm, and had no troubles finding it. After the grand tour and visiting, we all went to bed for the night.

Friday, April 27th: The girls got up by 7am, so we did not need to use the alarm clock we had forgotten to bring. We had planned to get gone earlier than we did, but it was nice to visit with Emily and the girls loved playing with their cousins. Skaidrite and Sara enjoyed running and dancing around the yard, while Esther and Hannah watched. After our good-byes we drove into Rexburg to BYU-Idaho to drop off KK, as she had some things to finalize there and at her apartment. While she did that, we did some shopping at the Melaleuca Store and the Distribution Center. We also got to see the Rexburg Temple, which looks just beautiful. After we picked up KK, we headed to Idaho Falls tro stop in and see Camilla and Alan and the kids. We made it there in time for lunch and was able to see Rexford and Alan. The girls, once again, played with their cousins and ran around the yard. We got to see Rexfords pet rabbit in the back yard. Before heading down the highway again, we stopped in at Alan's office and got a tour. It is very exciting to see this new adventure they are pursuing. Back down I-15 we went as we continued our journey further south to West Jordan, Utah. It was getting warmer out the further we went, and the traffic was getting busier as well. We stopped in at Centerville and got to see Kip's little baby boy, and pick up some EMP. By the time we left there it was rush hour and our 15 min ute drive turned into close to an hour. Did it ever make me grateful that we live in Raymond, where rush hour is a 10 minute wait at the post office corner during school drop offs and pick-ups. After some detours we made it to Cher and Arren's. It was so fun to see all of them, and the girls especially loved to see more cousin's to play with. We were able to watch the children, while Arren took Cher out for a Birthday dinner. We had lots of fun playing and watching one of our Hawaii videos. Bedtime came once again and we all slept soundly.

Saturday, April 28th: Esther was our alarm clock (a very effective one at that). Landon and I were able to be up and completely ready to leave by 8:30am, and had the girls dressed too. Skai and Esther stayed at Cher's house and played with KK and their cousins, while Landon and I went on to Provo for Robyn's wedding. We got there before the groom and anyone else got there, so we were able to see Robyn before the wedding. At first we were the on;y ones in the waiting area, but that did not last forever. It soon filled up with family and friends for 2 weddings. It was so comforting to see President Christensen and Sister Christensen come in, and it was wonderful to be able to visit with them. The temple sealing was so special. The sealer was Sister Christensen's father, and he gave some very inspiring advice to Robyn and Chris, but it was something Landon and I needed to hear as well. He told them to go to the temple regularly, and often, and as they do so that the questions that they have will be answered when they are prepared and ready for the answer. He counseled them in other things but that was what stuck out in my mind. After the sealing was over we took pictures and later headed to BYU to the Skyroom Restaurant for the luncheon. We were blessed to have been able to sit with the Christensen's and also with the Lewis' (They were the Mission President after the Christensen's) It was fun to talk about the mission and life now after the mission. The food was delicious and Mexican, and the program was wonderful. A friend of Robyn's family wrote a poem for Robyn and Chris, which had become a tradition in the Henstrom family. Normally Robyn's mom would read it, but since she has passed on, her friend read it. It was touching and funny. When the program was over, we drove back to West Jordan to pick up the girls for the reception. The reception was enjoyable, but we did not stay too long because Skai was not feeling well. Needless to say, we had some laundry to do when we got back to Cher's, but Skai's stomach was feeling much better. That night Landon got what ever Skai had and was up most of the night, but was feeling a bit better by morning.

Sunday, April 29: The left for home and said our good-byes by 10am. We stopped and Cam and Alan's in Idaho Falls for a bathroom break, but then headed on home. We gassed up in Dillon, Montana, and I drove until Hardy Creek, so Landon could have a rest. I don't know if it was my lack of driving experience for the past 3 years, or the poor brakes that we had on the car, but it was interesting going around those corners and down those hills in that area. With a lot of prayers we made it to Hardy Creek all in one piece with no speeding tickets! We stopped at a rest stop for some dinner and a stretch, and Landon continued on home. We made it home by 10pm. It was such a wonderful trip, short but wonderful. What made it so special was the time we got to visit with family and friends. We love you all and look forward to seeing all of you again!