Emma's Second Getaway

Emma's next week away from our family was not part of the crazy summer plan at all. Once she returned from a week at BYU FSY, she enjoyed a week at home, taking an afternoon sewing class and in the mornings, getting a little summertime relaxing in. During that same week, Peter was in town for a cello institute, and spent a couple of evenings at our house. When I realized that he'd be heading home just in time for Emma to have a totally empty week ahead, I asked her if she'd be at all interested in spending the week in St. George with her best friend cousins. She freaked out. That meant yes. Peter, Sheri, and their kids were also totally great with it, so at the last minute, I zoomed some laundry through, we packed up a bag, and Emma took off for a week in St. George. Here's what is cute. Peter and Emma have driven to St. George twice now and they have developed a tradition of listening to a few entire musicals together as they drive. Highlights have been Hamilton and Oklahoma. Cats did not go over quite as well.

 

Basically what she did there was get time in the sun. So much time, in fact, that she totally fried her shoulders and back and I made an emergency online order of a long sleeved swim shirt for Sheri to pick up and for Emma to wear 100% of the rest of the time she left their house, which she faithfully did, thank heavens. Oh pale one, you must learn the ways of sun protection. You are a woman of the north, like unto your mother. 

Observe your pale skin:

 

I think the kids actually had quite a bit of down time while Sheri worked and Peter was gone at another cello thing in California, but every free minute Sheri had, she took the kids out for fun. They spent a FULL day at Cowabunga Bay in Vegas, plus time in local rivers and pools. 

 

 

I arranged to drive down to pick Emma up the next weekend. We all actually met up in Cedar City on Saturday evening to enjoy some diner food and then hit the green show at the Utah Shakespearean Festival.

Here I am in my basement hideaway - wishing you all a very Merry Christmas:

And here are Emma and Cara wishing each other a loving farewell before we departed. I think they had a great time together - although I know an entire week can get kind of long, and even best friend-cousins can bump into some aggravations. Good for them for working through a couple of tough moments. What a blessing our friendship is!