Conference Getaways

We decided about six weeks ago to send Jarod home to his parents in Visalia, California for General Conference weekend. It's always a big celebration there; a weekend filled with sugar filled goodies, and artery clogging food. It really is great fun. If any of you really know me, you know I have the hardest time keeping a secret. Most of you know it, and use it to your own advantage, turning me into the gossip, so that you won't look bad. ;) I was so proud of myself. I kept Jarod's trip a secret the whole time, from the time we bought the tickets until the morning he arrived at his parents' house. He flew into LAX, and then rented a car and drove three hours to Visalia, arriving at his parents house around 2 am. I had one of their house keys from several years ago, and it came in quite handy for his visit. He was able to sneak in without anyone noticing him until people starting coming into the kitchen for breakfast in the morning. It was a sweet reunion. So, while he was there, our niece Ava celebrated her second birthday. She shares her birthday with our own Carly Ann. Jarod came home telling me how cute his sister's kids are. It was fun to hear him talk about someone else's kids like that. Here are some pictures from his mini-vacation.

This is Jarod's Grandpa Val. His grandparents were up for the weekend; it was the perfect time for him to be there. His grandpa hasn't been doing very well, health wise. It was a great opportunity for Jarod to spend some time with his grandparents.

Jarod, his Dad, and his Grandpa and Grandma Val

Jarod's Dad, our brother-in-law Damon, Grandpa and Grandma Val, our nieces Ava and Kaela, Jarod's Aunt Lydia, and his sister Clarissa. This was during the birthday celebration. Both of Clarissa's kids are close to our first two in age. Kaela is four months younger than Carly, and Ava is four months younger than Josh.

Jarod and his Grandparents

Jarod was able to go for a ride on his dad's chopper while he was there. He came home telling me how beautiful it was.