Epic BYU Adventure

My little sisters Chery and Celsea went back up to Provo to start fall semester last week.  Each time I would think about them going up there I would get so sad and I just kept thinking how badly I wanted to go with them.  Then my brain started churning and I thought up a crazy idea that I would tag along on their road trip.  After convincing Scott he wouldn’t miss me for four days and somehow tricking my fabulous in-laws into helping with the kids I was all ready to join them.  I kept it a surprise from my sisters – telling only my parents.  We went over to say goodnight on Sunday night since the plan was to leave the next morning.  I actually cried even though I knew I would see them for the next four days!  Here is Celsea sitting with my boys the night we said goodbye – they miss her so much already!

(I know it isn’t the greatest picture – I took it with my phone in the dark…)

 

My mom is so clever and conjured up a story about needing to stop by my house on their way out of town so that Scott could help my Dad check the trailer they were pulling.  As they sat out in front of my house early in the morning, Scott and my Dad put on a great show of checking the trailer.  I grabbed my suitcase and ran out the door, shouting like a maniac, “wait for me!! I’m coming with you!”  They were so surprised (I wasn’t sure if they would be or not).  I love surprising people like that – I get such a kick out of it.  Then we were off on our 12 hour road trip!

We had a great time talking and laughing and listening to music.  Sigh!

The first evening we were there I got to see my friend Tina (one of my former roommates) while I was there and reminisce about the good old days.  Over the next few days we moved Celsea into her dorm in Heritage Halls and Chery into her (3rd floor!) apartment off campus.  Whew enough stairs to last me a life time.  I needed all those stairs after eating at Brick Oven twice, chowing cinnamon bears from the bookstore, guzzling BYU Creamery chocolate milk, and gorging myself on BYU Creamery ice cream (Earnestly Chocolate in a waffle cone, thank you very much!)  Soooo tasty!

 

Here is Celsea getting to eat “real” food (non-blended) for the first time in the six weeks since her jaw surgery!  Did you know you could forget how to chew?

 

Chery, Celsea, and I in front of Celsea’s dorm building.  Yes, I am a shrimp next to my elegant long legged sisters.

 

The girls with my Mom.  We have all lived in Heritage Halls as freshmen at BYU!

 

Proud Mom and Dad…isn’t my sister adorable??

 

Celsea, striking her “foxy” pose in front of Fox hall.

It was truly a wonderful trip!  We also got to spend time with some extended family while we were there.  I had so much fun living vicariously through my sisters.  I look back on my BYU experience (especially freshman year) as one of the very best parts of my life!  I learned so much and had soooo much fun!  There is such a great feeling walking around on BYU campus.  I can’t really describe it but I crave being there.  The gorgeous mountains, sky, and cooler weather were a (literal) breath of fresh air!

 

I am so excited for Celsea to start her BYU adventure and have the time of her life.  (Chery and I spent half of our time together regaling Celsea with all of our fun freshman year experiences…I can’t believe Chery is already a senior!)  I also got to meet several of Chery and Celsea’s roommates, which is nice because I like to know who they are living with. 

 

Here we are in Celsea’s room in front of her cute bed and shelf.

I am still going through BYU withdrawals even after being home for several days.  I am already planning my next trip up there…maybe for Homecoming?  This time I will bring Scott and the boys with me – why should they miss out on the fun?  It was wonderful to come home to my sweet little family and be the queen of my home again – no sharing a kitchen with other women, and not answering to anyone else for messes I leave for later is nice.  I also definitely like my current roommate much better than any of the others! 

I miss Chery and Celsea so much already!  Celsea is the baby in our family and it is the strangest thing to go to my parents’ house and have her missing.  Tonight Boston asked where she was and while we tried to explain it to him you should have seen the look on his sweet little face.  He was so sad and kind of angry and as my older brother was teasing him by saying that a cougar named Cosmo had her locked up in a cage he looked shocked and upset!  Poor little guy!  He loves his Aunt Celsea and can’t imagine her being anywhere but home.  (Chery was up at BYU when he was born so he doesn’t know any different with her, though he loves when “Chery-choke” comes to visit).