Stanford Friends in SLC Most years when we head home for Christmas, we take enough time off to do the full loop to both Oregon and Idaho and see everyone in between.   Since the Hardings moved to Provo, Utah nearly two years ago, we've added them to our circuit.  This year they were our first stop!  We arrived into Salt Lake City the afternoon of Saturday, December 19 and enjoyed a spontaneous couple of hours with the Gottfredson girls.  Merrilee was one of my first roommates when I moved out to California and became a lifelong friend.  It was wonderful to see her for a short time.  

Lee, Abby and Ruth

We then had a mini Palo Alto reunion and met Kim and Andreas, Caisa and Adrian, Hillary and Laura for dinner in Sugar House.  The meal left a little to be desired, but the company was great.  If they all didn't have to get home to babysitters and children, we easily could have spent hours catching up.  How lucky we are to have such good friends who are always so easy and comfortable to be around, even after months and months go by between seeing each other.

Saturday night we stayed with one of my closest friends from home and her family.  Whenever we stay with them they always whip up a big breakfast and then their kids challenge us to some sort of game.   The mornings always disappear all too quickly.  We are excited to learn that this summer they may make it out to our neck of the woods!  We can't wait for the opportunity to finally host them.

Cookie baking with the new oven

The majority of our short 60 hours in Utah were spent in Provo with the Hardings.  Baby Ruth joined the family in late October and we were anxious to meet her.  But let's be honest, it's really all about Abby and Ivy.  Both girls are getting so big and yet they still seem to be the same girls that left here two years ago.  Abby is still my permanent sidekick and Ivy can't get enough of Lee.    Ruth spent several of her naps in Lee's arms and it was cute that as soon as Ruth left Lee, Ivy climbed right into them.  She wasn't so sure about sharing her Lee -Lee.  

Air Hockey While we were with the Hardings we did a lot of baking!  The girls wanted to make cut-out cookies and they also wanted to try out the functional, kid oven that Lee and I bought them for Christmas.  They were in love with that thing!  We nailed it!  Monday we took the girls on a date to Provo Beach.  This place had indoor bowling, croquet (which they called miniature golf), air hockey, arcade games, a carousel - we easily spent over two hours there.  Brilliant business concept when you live in a winter climate!    We weren't with the Hardings nearly long enough and when we had to leave, they asked if next time we came we could sleep for three nights at their house.  Two was too short!  We completely agreed but we needed to beat the winter storm and get up to Twin Falls to see the Merricks.  Pictures from our short visit to Utah are here.