Summer home leave visit to the United States...Las Vegas edition

We drove from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas. However, on our way there we stopped in St. George to visit our friend Lana and her kids. Lana is a friend from when we lived in Sweden. Her family moved the day before to Utah! I definitely had to stop and say hello.

 Melynn, Maggie, Darby, Jaxon and Jonah

Lana and I

We arrived in Las Vegas on a Monday afternoon and was so happy to just relax and visit with my mom. We had only been on vacation a week and yet already felt exhausted.

The next day however, we had browse the shops.
Las Vegas is my favorite place for shopping because there are malls everywhere!

After browsing around it was time to see the Cirque Du Soleil, Michael Jackson ONE at the Mandalay Bay hotel. It was a fantastic show!!!

getting ready to see ONE!

On Wednesday the kids and I went to a local pool and then later that evening I took Jaxon to an outdoor gran prix place so he could ride the race cars.

Thursday we saw an afternoon show of Mac King. He was a funny magician and the kids really enjoyed it. Afterwards, Jaxon got his new magic kit signed by him.

After the magic show we went to Serendipity's to enjoy their famous Frozen Hot Chocolate!

We also walked around the Strip and enjoyed the water show in front of the Bellagio hotel.

I loved spending time with my mom and wished I could have had more time with her.

Summer home leave visit to the United States...Utah edition

On June 16th we flew to the United States. It had been a year since we touched american soil. It is always a wonderful feeling to land on our hometown turf! Our first destination was Salt Lake City. We started our summer by visiting Aaron's family, Ashtyn and Wil there. Interesting to note here that Ashtyn and Wil flew in about 2 hours after us from Europe. They had just finished a study abroad program and also spent time with the in-laws in Italy. They had been gone from Provo for about 2 months.

My first picture of the summer...

Yes, that's right. A package of deli sliced turkey! The kids and I were so excited to eat turkey! Thank you grandma Terry for feeding us so late at night and making us feel welcome in your home:)

 While in Utah we helped Ashtyn and Wil move into their new apartment. Here are a couple of pictures of the girls acting silly while Ashtyn and Wil rented a truck. Even though moving is never fun, I was so happy to be able to help A&W out. It is not very often when I am around to do such things. Darby and Melynn were happy to help out too.

 

Jaxon and Wrenn were having fun boy cousin time while the girls and I were helping A&W.

After moving all of A&W's stuff into their apartment, it was time to 

do some shopping at IKEA! I love all the little reminders of Sweden. 

 Spotted these bottles at Target in South Jordan while running errands with the kiddos! 

Sorry Geri for not buying them. I totally should have!

Always need to make a quick stop at Cabela's.

How I love Cafe Zupa's!

I made a point to take the kids to see this move, "The Cokeville Miracle".

A movie that will make you think more about what is beyond this earth life. 

Truly inspirational!

A&W kept the kids for a day so that I could go and visit an old friend 

I had not seen in several years.

The kids were treated to Ice Cream at Sub Zero.

Visiting Michelle, a friend from High School. How nice to have time to chat and catch up!

One evening the kids and I went to visit Tiffany and her family. SueAnn and her kids were also there! So fun to catch up with these two.

A visit to Grandpa's is never complete without brushing his hair!

 On our last full day in Utah, John and Geri hosted a dinner for Father's Day. It is not very often we get to be included in these kind of events. So happy to see most of the family!

 Jaxon loves to ride in Uncle Jay's Porsche.

 Ben, Robin and kids just got back from their time living in Belgium.

 Karen was practicing her lines as a new flight attendant for SkyWest airlines.

Sad to say goodbye to everyone but also looking forward 

to the next leg of the trip...Mom's house!