Westward Trek!

So, I think the first thing that I should say is that Natalie and I have not become inactive . . . . We just haven't been around the past couple of weekends due to various trips, the most important of which was two weeks ago when we got to go out to see my sister (Tami), her husband (Greg), and their brand new baby girl (Gabriella or "Gabby") in Salt Lake City, Utah. We had such a great time!!! The best part was getting acquainted with our niece, Gabriella. She is so (so, so, so) adorable!!! I understand that some of you reading this blogpost may not take my word for it, so I have dispersed numerous photos of my incredibly cute niece throughout (proof of my assertion, if you will).

Exhibit 1 . . . here is Gabriella! Isn't she just adorable? I thought that I should start out with a picture of her because she is the reason that we made our "westward trek"!!! In this picture Gabby is playing (and by that I mean "batting" away at four stuffed animals that are suspended above her by some sort of tent-like contraption). I must say that she has quite an arm, which I hope will someday be put to use on the tennis court. The Williams sisters better watch out!!!

All right . . . on to our trip!

Shortly after arriving, Tami and Greg took us to the Hogle Zoo, which is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was great to be a part of Gabriella's first trip to the zoo. Pictured here are Tami, Gabriella, and me at the entrance to the zoo.

After the zoo, we headed back to Tami and Greg's apartment to spend some more QT with Gabby. We had to rest up for a big day touring Temple Square. Doesn't Gabby look excited?

Our first stop in Temple Square was the Conference Center (you know, the big building where all the General Conferences are held). Anyway, on our way in, I noticed this little creek running by the side of the building. I think this is the "river" that you always see clips of at the start of the conference broadcasts. It definitely looks much bigger on television (very tricky)!

After taking a quick picture of the "river," we went on a tour of the Conference Center. The tour may have been the funniest part of the day. First, the tour guide told us that the standard tour would take about 45 minutes. So, I'm pretty sure we offended her by asking for an "abbreviated" tour (the "just take us to the roof to get a view of the temple" tour). Then, I'm convinced that the already dismayed tour guide rolled her eyes when my sister and her husband opted out of even the "abbreviated" tour to feed Baby Gabby. Finally, when we got to the roof of the Conference Center, the tour guide decided to make small talk with us and this guy from Uzbekistan who joined our tour a little late (also opting for the "abbreviated" tour, much to the dismay of our tour guide). Our poor guide could not pronounce Uzbekistan to save her life (despite multiple, and I mean multiple, attempts). Despite this slight set-back, our tour guide was not to be discouraged, and proceeded to assure the young Uzbekistanian that "we really do like muslims, it's just the ones on the fringes that we have a problem with." He appeared relieved!

Here is the view of the Salt Lake Temple from atop the Conference Center. Definitely worth the undergoing the "abbreviated" tour, hugh?

And this is a view of the temple from the street below. I wasn't able to get as good of a perspective as from atop the Conference Center, but still impressive.

And so after a long day of touring Temple Square, we took this last picture in front of the temple and went back to Tami and Greg's apartment to rest up. We would need to get up early the next day (Sunday) to go to the Tabernacle in time to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing!

The next morning we got the Tabernacle in plenty of time to hear the Tabernacle Choir sing. It was truly an inspirational performance, including renditions of the Battle Hymn of the Republic and Taps. Natalie and I have been practicing both pieces in our spare time in hopes of catching the ear of whoever selects the singers for the Choir.

After listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, it was time to see the famous Utah mountains up close. On our way to one of Tami and Greg's favorite spots, we saw this amazing rainbow.

Did I mention how incredibly cute my little niece Gabby is?

All right, back to the mountains. Here is Greg, Natalie, and me at one of the most picturesque spots atop the mountains.

And here's another picture of the impressive Utah landscape. Now those are mountains!!!

After touring the mountains and enjoying a scrumptious picnic prepared by Tami and Greg, we returned to Tami and Greg's place to relax (and hold Gabby some more!) before heading back to North Carolina. Does Gabby make me look like some sort of giant-headed monster?

Natalie and I really had a wonderful time in Utah. If Tami, Greg, and Gabby are out there reading this--thank you guys so much for a wonderful visit! We had a great time! Now you have to come to North Cackalacky to see some of our impressive sites . . . . Thank you again!!!