Feels like forever ago...

I should've blogged about this a long time ago!!  Better late then never  ;o)

 

I was blessed with the opportunity to fly up to Illinois and surprise Tamara a couple of days after she returned home from her mission.  We were all able to keep the secret and she was surprised.  So fun!

 

We stayed super, super busy for the 4-5 days I was there.  Here are a few of the things we did:

 

We (Dad, Mom, Tamara, Jennifer, and I) went to Nauvoo and did a temple session with my dad's brother and his wife.  It was so neat to be in the temple with so much family.  :o)  We missed Bryan, though...

 

 

We went to Chicago to get Garrett's Popcorn.  Yum!!!  We even stood in a long line in the hot sun, but the cheddar caramel mix was AMAZING and so way worth it!!!!  Sounds like a weird combo, but it's addicting.  Also fun was deciding the cheddar to caramel ratio that best suited everyone.  I'm 50/50  :o)

 

Dad took us all to the Rascal Flatts concert in Chicago!  My first Rascal Flatts concert (Jennifer's 4th or 5th...  ;o) and it was so awesome!  Little Big Town opened for them and they put on a wonderful concert as well.  The first 2 or 3 opening acts could have been done without, but Rascal Flatts was worth the wait!  Kinda freaked fresh-off-the-mission-Tamara, however...  Thought she was going to be sick when we first walked into the amphitheater, but by the end she was slightly more comfortable and even able to sing along to a few of the songs.  Lesson learned:  Let newly returned missionaries have about a month or so before you take them to a non-religious concert.  :o)

 

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to fly to Illinois and be with Dad, Mom, Jennifer, and Tamara for a few days!  I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!  Hopefully, next time Bryan will be able to join us!