everybody loves a good surprise

Mike and I decided on Wednesday to fly out to SLC on Friday to surprise his Mother for her 65th birthday! Cause everybody loves a good surprise, right??

It was so fun to get on an airplane WITH Mike instead of leaving him behind in California. We planned on waking up at 3:30 AM to make it to the airport by 5 to make it on our flight by 6:15. But my alarm didn't go off and we ended up waking up at 4:45! We rushed out of the house in record timing and sped to the airport in less than 20 minutes. It was unbelievable that we got there so quickly. I love how Mike is so great at being speedy!! We make a great team. We made our flight on Standby (THANK GOODNESS) and got to SLC at 10 in the morning.

On our way to his home Mike bought flowers for his mom and walked into the front room while she was there. Her face was COMPLETELY shocked and couldn't believe he was there! He had told her earlier that he had lots to do at work and would be very busy this weekend but hoped she had a great birthday. Little did she know he was on a flight to see her!

We had lots of fun doing birthday stuff and eating out--oh and watching tons of March Madness. I made my first bracket this year and it has made the games so much more fun! We get so invested in each game and want our bracket to win it all! I'm ultimately rooting for Duke to go all the way so we will see what really goes down.

Tonight I'm off to see Sarah Kay and Derek and can't wait to be with them! It's only been two full weeks but I already miss my sis. It'll be so good to be reunited again.

first trek back to UT

I have really missed my family. California is wonderful but ever since Sarah was diagnosed it is harder for us to be apart for so long. A trip to Utah was much needed. 

My amazing mom and little sister flew out all the way from Virginia just to visit Sarah Kay and I for a week! It was a week packed to the brim of fun, food and reconnecting. We didn't get much sleep but you can sleep when you're dead right???

The weekend began with me surprising my best friend Steph and going to a Bleachers concert together. It was like something out of a movie. The concert was spectacular and being there with people who appreciate his music was even more fun. 

The next day our family cheered on a couple hundred people who ran in the Rex Lee Run, a charity run to raise money for cancer research. It was amazing and inspirational to see so many people running in support of all the people they know suffering from cancer. 

Sarah Kay got tired walking back to the bleachers so I carried her as any good sister would. 

We spent the rest of the weekend painting, cooking, watching movies, visiting family, cuddling and just soaking up every second together. We visited the Temple and did baptisms for the dead (our monthly tradition) and added lots of happy art to Sarah Kay's wall of art in her and Derek's apartment.

I'm so excited for the next reunion we get to have sometime in May (hopefully) except this time we want Dad to come!