Stephanie's Funeral Trip *October 23rd - 26th*

On Wednesday the 23rd we were going to leave at 1:00 but the car wouldn't start. We figured it was teh battery so Steven went to buy us a new one. That battery didn't fit correctly an we couldn't hook it up. So Steven went to 3 different auto shops (one of them 3 times) and finally got it to work. This was obviously not how we wanted to start our trip. The kids were a bit confused because we never checked them out of school. We finally left around 3:45. I had pumped and Liv took a bottle for the first (and last - little stinker) time ever and Max was thrilled to be the one to give it to her.

Max's teacher sent us with some dry erase boards so they kids could stay entertained. Her markers had warm fuzzies on the tops to use as erasers. Pretty cool idea!

Everyone (but me) ate at McDonald's so they could play while while I fed Liv. Then we ran to Wendy's so I could eat in the car. I had a super yummy pretzel burger that took forever to get ready. We stopped to feed crying Liv because she wasn't going to touch that bottle again. I sat by her because she was still upset. I tried to feed her another bottle (she did ok this time), tickled her face and did all I could to calm her.  Once she fell asleep I was able to move back up front by Steven.

We arrived at the hotel 1:00am CA time. They didn't have a room with two beds like they had told us so they gave us two rooms. E and I took the Queen room with Liv and boys took the king. Elese loved that we were having a girl sleepover at a hotel.

Had a grab and go breakfast. Family viewing.  Liv was crying I kept having to go in and out of the viewing an ended up missing the family prayer that Steven ended up saying because David didn't feel up to it. They didn't have the family all walk in together and there were some debates about wether the casket would me in the chaple which they did end up doing and I was glad. I was kind of bummed about that. during the funeral Liv was crying so I stood in back until the song (eulogy, song, Tim spoke) and then I went back to sit then I had to take Sam out. Afterward everyone visited and then left for cemetery. We followed steven's dad and his GPS led us in the wrong direction. David called as I was looking up the address because we seemed to be driving in the wrong direction. We got turned around and my GPS was leading us the correct way. We arrived a half hour after that to find out Susan, Steve, Laurie, and Heidi were all late too. Mom and dad never made it so all of us except Tim and Lithia (who I think followed David) missed the dedication of the grave. Things weren't really running as smoothly as we had hoped. Then we had the luncheon. Everyone loved holdin Liv and playing with Sam. Max played with Jack and Jordan. Elese played with Michaela and Erinn so I was able to sit and enjoy for the most part. Then we went to hotel and tried to rest but Liv would not sleep.  We decided to borrow an air mattress for the kids so we moved all our stuff into the big room. and gave the extra room to Heidi.  Then we went back to David's and Liv fell asleep right away. Sat around visiting. Uncle Steve asked Sam if he could have a cookie. Sam looked at him, took a bite of the cookie and gave it to Uncle Steve.  Then uncle Tim asked if he could have a cookie and Sam just gave it to him and we all laughed. Then Steve asked "who do you like better, me or uncle Tim". He looked back and forth at them. Pulled out a cookie and handed it to Tim. Everyone laughed very loudly and Sam didn't understand and started crying really hard and hitting the cookies.  Poor boy. Steven comforted him and Tyler let him play with superman so all was now right with his world. Steven went with David to the bank. We all met Stephanie's family at a casino for dinner. No one was really thrilled about the venue or the company we wanted it to just be our family. Steven Liv and I drove with David and the kids stayed home with their cousins and had pizza. Once we were seated we sat as a family and the food was good and ended up having a really good time. I was so happy I brought Liv because I would have been worried about her and she slept until we left. Then she woke up and cried the entire way back to David's.  When we got back to the hotel the toilet got plugged. I wasn't feeling very happy. This trip was becoming the trip of unfortunate events. I was yelling a bit and then Max said , "mom I just prayed the toilet would flush" within two seconds Steven said, "I got it. It's fixed". He's such a great example to me! Sam wouldn't stay on the floor because he was afraid of the matteress.  Finally he slept.

Woke up and went to David's for breakfast. Looked at some of Stephanie's stamps and punches. She wanted Lithia to have them but Lithia offered to let everyone take some because there were a lot and some of them were duplicates.  Laurie kept telling Elese she needed more. Elese really loves them. She loves creating things and on the way Steven and I were talking bout having her do more crafts. Then we went to Jelly Belly factory. It was fun to go as a big family group. Max bought Bertie Botts and I kept hearing him say things like "Ear Wax isn't that bad."

Susan and Steven were very helpful with Olivia - Man do they love her! I really can't blame them.

We got lost going to eat lunch and Steven was very frustrated. We had not had much luck following people on this trip. We ate at in and out where Steven spilled water and dropped his hamburger bun upside down.  and I lost Liv's shoe. Then we drove back to David's.

We hung out at David's. Laurie fried chicken.  Just relaxed and visited.  Steven, David, Tyler, max, and jack went to comic book stores.  Tim and dad watched the BYU game. Susan and Steve took our extra hotel room because Heidi was at the airport to head home. Steven and all got back. We all ate. There were some sibling issues with Steven's family so Laurie and her kids left. Steven and david went for a drive.  I took Tyler to a school dance and we had a good chat - he's a good kid just trying to figure out how to be a kid who just lost his mom. Tim and Lithia went to the hotel at half time. The hotel didn'take note that we had two rooms so some guy walked in on Susan and Steve. I got it all worked out eventually.  Susan and Steve went to dinner at Guy from food network restaurant.  They got to David's just as we were leaving.  Then they stopped by our room after to hear both sides of the drama. Steven and I chatted. We were sad we weren't able to end the weekend on a positive note.  Slept. Woke up. Stopped by David's to say goodbye. Ate granola bars. Had liner in Winnaamuca at Mexican place.  Steven and I discussed and made a basic plan for the RS Christmas music program. And according to this photo Elese fell asleep holding her precious stamps from Aunt Stephanie.

We stopped at a rest stop by the Salt Flats so I could feed Olivia. The big kids loved it and got all muddy. Max thought that he saw a turtle and he was currently obsessed with turtles/ninja turtles so he had to take a picture. Steven checked it out and it was a rock.