Vacation

Yes the day has finally come!!! 2 1/2 months ago we knew we wanted to go on vacation, and knowing around about when we wanted to go. We shot around several different ideas of where we wanted to go but it ultimatly came down to a Spaeth Family visit to Salt Lake City, UT. My Grandma has been in and out of the hospital/rehab many times the past year, at one time not even knowing if she would pull thru. The time when she went downhill quickly we decided no more putting off, we really need to go see her. I seen my cousins, aunts, and grandma about 4 years ago when my brother Ben go married but that was a brief visit during the reception for maybe an hour and a half or so. Before that it was when I moved from Utah to come up to Seattle. At Ben's wedding Ariana was only 6 months old so she doesnt remember the trip or anyone else. We havent really told her a whole lot about the family so she has learned that she has more cousins, and uncles, and aunts, and another great-grandma! We arnt explaining about greats (besides great grandma) or 2nd cousins and aunts and whatnot, so simply put for Ariana's sake she has more aunts and uncles and cousins.
What I am probably most excited about is my Grandma has NO idea we are coming out! Yup, we kept it a secret. When she was in the hospital my aunt told her Brooke is going to come out sometime this year, the other day she asked my aunt when I was coming out and Meshelle said "they are thinking about 4th of July". Surprise, how about Easter?!?! Today while talking to my cousin she informed me that my grandma's surprise breakfast there will be my my 2 aunts, uncle (maybe 1 more if possible), 3 cousins (maybe 4) and thier kids, grandma, and us. If I counted right it will be between 14-16 people. CRAZY! I feel so loved, we have been embrased so much on the welcoming of our trip. Spending time with family and spending some time with several friends. My Best Friend is making the 4 hour drive (per way) and spending the day with me! Im super excited to see her, we try and see each other once a year, even if its just going to be a day trip, its better than nothing. She is my sister- from another mother :)
When there we are going to try and look around at the cost of living, and see what jobs are available. We want to get away from here. We need sunshine, a most cost efficiant place to live, and to get away from some stress that happens here. We also need to move to a place where the education system is better, and this area is a little too liberal for our pretty conservative family. Also, a place where there is less crime. Our lease goes up in August, so who knows we might be moving back to Utah. Im still unsure about moving back there, but I do like the idea. Even if its not down the street from my family, but just being in a place where we feel like there are more people like us.
Excited about the next 8 days ahead!!!