Wrapping Up Our Utah Trip

July 6-8, 2025

On Sunday morning, we decided to go on a hike before church. We chose to go to the Bear Canyon suspension bridge. I really love being in a place where we can enjoy the outdoors a little more.

We got home about 15 minutes before one of the wards close by started, and my crazy girls were like, "We can make it!" Well, some of us are more than half a century old and take a little more work to look presentable, but I tried. Brian and the girls went in one car, and I followed shortly.

I was expecting church to feel uplifting, but I wasn't expecting church to feel so relaxing. It was Fast and Testimony meeting. I didn't feel any angst about who was giving their testimony for the fifth time in a row or if someone might be attending for the first time and feel uncomfortable. I wasn't worried about teaching a lesson or passing around a sign up sheet during the second hour. I just got to sit there and soak in all the testimonies, lessons and comments. It was an unexpected experience, and soothing for my soul. 

I had a great surprise after waking from my Sunday afternoon nap: a FaceTime call from President and Sister Vore! They were grinning from ear to ear as they shared some about their first couple of weeks. Their schedules are packed. They are extremely busy doing good things, and their joy was contagious.

A week or two before we were coming, Denise sent out an invite to the extended Gwilliam family for a picnic in the park gathering. She was able to get a sitter for Tyson, so we switched it to their beautiful backyard instead. Bruce and Denise took care of the burgers, and everyone else brought sides. We feasted! (chips, dips, Cowboy Caviar, fruit w/ fruit dip, salad, candy bar cake, etc...)

Bryn, Aub, Derek, Sarah, Grace & Kyle

Kyle and Sarah spent the weekend with her family. We were glad when they were able to join in the barbeque. 

Denise, Kyle, Sarah

I feel like I haven't seen Blake in years! He is Keith's youngest son and the same age as Brinley. It was fun to catch up.

Keith, Kristen, Brinley & Blake

Brinley and Derek were the cutest with the girls. They played all sorts of outdoor games with them. I'm pretty sure Grace (5?) thought Derek was her best friend and just there for her.

La drove up from Provo and met everyone/joined in the visiting. Then she and Aub headed back to Provo to have a sleepover...just like the good ole days.

Denise is the sweetest Nannie to her grandchildren.

On Monday, Brian was able to fish a little more. I was so happy for him because he doesn't get that opportunity very often. There is no place remotely close to the Big O to fly fish, and when we go to Utah, our schedules are usually packed. 

Brinley took the day off work and that morning we met at BYU to participate in research for her thesis. We had to be in a soundproof room and listen to recordings of individuals answering questions. We then had a scale to rate how we perceived their intelligence based on what we heard. I'm not sure how much I can share here, but that was the gist of how we participated. Aubrey and Brian met up with us and had a turn as well. 

Then we had a quick lunch at Zupas Cafe, and Aub & Bryn headed to the Splash Summit Waterpark for the afternoon. I can't remember what Brian and I did but later, we met up with the girls and Derek for dinner at the Purple Turtle and a play at the new Hale Theatre in Pleasant Grove.

I had high hopes for this play because you pretty much can't go wrong at the Hale. The actors/actresses did great, but the slapstick sense of humor isn't really my sense of humor.  However, two preteen boys behind us were totally cracking up, and that made me happy! 

On Tuesday, we didn't have to be at the airport until 2:00, so Denise and I were able to fit in a Costco run and a mid-morning walk. SO FUN! I love that girl and wish I could go walking with her every day. We talked kids, grandkids, gospel podcasts, books...we fit a lot into our morning time together.

Unfortunately, on our trip home, our flight was diverted from Dallas to Lubbock due to thunderstorms. We were so close to home (two hours!), but we couldn't get a rental car. Also, the couple of food places available in their small airport were already closed for the night, so for dinner, the vending machine was our only option. I almost always pack some healthy snacks and peanut butter crackers, but this time I did not. My dinner was two packages of chips, a Hershey bar with almonds, and some fruit snacks.

Sadly, by the time we arrived in Dallas, we missed our connecting flight. It was after midnight before we made it to the hotel, but it was so easy traveling with just the three of us. We had a nutritious (ha!) hotel breakfast and made it home Wednesday afternoon.

Overall, we had a wonderful little vacation in Utah celebrating Independence Day and spending time with family.