Where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came...

Isabelle and I enjoyed the easy-going life of Salem, UT over the last week. Our trip started with an early morning plane ride where Jelly enjoyed watching some cartoons on Direct TV. She has always been a good traveler and this trip was no different.

We were able to attend my cousin Casey's wedding and after the bride and groom left the reception by carriage, some of the young cousins were able to take a ride. Isabelle felt just like Cinderella!


Salem was celebrating it's annual "Salem Days" and we were eager to get in on some of the festivities. My mom, Alex and I all ran in the Salem 5K Fun Run and we even convinced my Grandma Joan who turned 77 over the weekend to participate in the 1 Mile race. My mom took home the silver medal and none other than my Grandma Joan was awarded the gold! (In her age category.) Alee and I came in around 9Th place...apparently there are many more 20-30 year old running these days than folks in their 70's.

We then enjoyed the Salem Pancake Breakfast where we shook the Mayor's hand and waited in line for a delicious warm pancake and orange juice. Belle was delighted to see the giant skillet filled with pancakes, just like in one of her favorite Curious George books. It was soon time for the town parade and we laughed until we cried at all of the local floats, queens, and special guests who marched along. This was Belle's first parade and she was so excited and loved every moment of it. She was especially surprised at all of the candy that was thrown her direction and that we actually let her eat it! Grandma Joan was even in the parade proudly wearing her hard earned gold medal.

We were able to get better acquainted with Alee's fiance and the soon to be Uncle Nick. Isabelle was quite smitten and she loved playing with Nickolas and even said "now I am marrying Nick" when she was given a candy ring sucker to wear. We also were able to host a bridal shower for the couple and had fun visiting with friends and dipping everything in the chocolate fountain.

This was like a dream vacation for little Isabelle as she would wake up early and go to bed late. She could play in Grandpa's backyard barefoot and pick tomatoes out of the garden as she pleased. She loved having not only Grammie with us, who flew in from Houston, but also Grammie Gloria and Grandpa Kent who came up from Arizona and the 85 degree weather outside everyday. She loved the horses next door and visiting with all of her distant relatives. Unfortunately, the night before we returned home she and I both came down with some sort of summer-head cold and felt pretty icky on the flights home. We missed Daddy and are happy to be home again...although when we arrived back in San Antonio and were greeted by the warm moist heat and the heavy afternoon traffic, we missed the simple life back in Salem. There is something so American about small town pride.