Park City Paradise - Sisters Weekend (Mom Included!)

It's interesting how fast a very fun couple of days can go! I felt so privileged to be included in a sister's get-away weekend in Park City. I'm sure our daughters would have had a perfectly wonderful time--just the three of them--but thankfully they insisted I be a part of it (or maybe I insisted!) and I was so grateful! I cannot say how much I love these three daughters of mine who are now beautiful women and mothers! I learned so much from and about them. They look significantly different from each other and possess totally different personalities and gifts of the spirit. What they do have in common is an appreciation for the Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a profound love of their husbands and children. They exhibit that love and commitment in unique ways, but each reminds me of the following said by Elder M. Russell  Ballard:"Father, if You need a woman to rear children in righteousness, here am I, send me.
If You need  a woman who will shun vulgarity and dress modestly and speak with dignity 
and show the world how joyous it is to keep the commandments, here am I, send me.
If You need a woman who can resist the alluring temptations of the world by keeping her eyes fixed on eternity, here am I, send me.
If You need a woman of faithful steadiness, here am I, send me.
Between now and the day the Lord comes again,
He needs women in every family, in every ward, in every community, in every nation
who will step forward in righteousness and say by their words and their actions,
Here am I, send me."

Thursday morning, Cindy met me here at the house. We then drove to Pocatello where we met Lori and piled into her van! She volunteered to drive because she knew we would need a van for luggage and all the shopping bags we would be coming home with and, I might add, she was right! She was also the designated driver because she knows Park City! Julie met us at TaiPan Trading in Centerville...now we were complete!  We picked up a few things there...and no, we didn't buy the hats as seen above. Cute pic, however!  That place is a little overwhelming to me...I didn't know where to start or end! We then made our way to Pei Wei in Bountiful for fabulous Tai food! Oh, those lettuce wraps--I'm definitely hitting that place again!

On the road again, next stop being Burlington Coat Factory where we had very little luck but a great time looking...then on to Park City where Nancy had arranged for a lovely condo for us at Skier's Lodge which she manages. Thanks so much, Nancy. It was perfect and we had the best time! That night we settled in and  watched Jane Austin's "Emma"!  Love that movie! About midnight we settled into bed but ended up talking until about 1:00 p.m. I couldn't believe the girls were up ready to exercise at 5:00! What were they thinking?  Well, they exercised along to a Jillian Michaels DVD and holy cow--I did what I could but it was way beyond my abilities! I think I lost a few pounds just observing (I know, wishful thinking!) Lori and Cindy went running for awhile and Nancy came to visit shortly thereafter. It was so fun to catch up on her life and find out more of what she is responsible for in Park City! We all agree that woman is amazing! Love you, Nancy, and thanks again! 

An important  side note:  Nancy was on her way to the Ogden hospital where Mom Rose was undergoing an angiogram. We were so relieved to hear later in the day that she had no blockages and is probably a great candidate for a different pacemaker...one with a defibrillator that would shock her heart back into rhythm when it goes "haywire" (if I am understanding that correctly.) 

When we were all dressed and ready, we headed to the Tanger Outlets and spent about 8 hours shopping for kids clothing, gifts, husbands clothing, and clothes for ourselves thanks to the generosity of our good husbands! WE HAD SO MUCH FUN and found some great deals! The girls had their lists and proceeded to shop and check off the items! Personally, after enjoying shopping for the kids, I loved the DRESS BARN and had way too much fun in there! We stopped for lunch at a great sandwich and bagel shop...another great deal, thanks to Lori's coupons.  It was a perfect break and gave us our needed "second wind".

After returning to the condo, we went through all our sacks and surveyed the "booty" to see what we had and what we had forgotten!  We then watched "Emma Smith - My Story". Yes, it was the weekend of the Emma movies! We went to bed a little earlier and didn't get up until 7:45! I loved seeing the girls sleep in for awhile as I know with children that never happens.

One thing I really enjoyed was listening to my daughters talk to their kids from time to time! The kids were missed and so were the moms! I didn't get to see Lori and Cindy's reunions with their kids, but was there for Julie's, of course, and it was a joy for this Mom to witness! Usually I get big hugs and kisses from all of them, but I definitely was second fiddle this time...and very understandably! Oh, these precious little people that depend on their mom's for everything! What a responsibility we have been given! 

Saturday morning we just took our time getting ready, packed, and out of the condo. We then hit the Outlets one more time for a couple of hours to finish up what was still needed (or wanted!).

The weekend wouldn't have been complete without lunch at our favorite-- "Cafe Rio"! Yummy food and more fun conversation! It had been raining on and off that morning and we still had a long drive ahead of us. Again, we talked and laughed all the way to Julie's. We took her home as Stanton had dropped her off on Thursday on the way to the airport for a dental conference.  After a few minutes at the Allens, Lori, Cindy and I headed for home! Parting was sweet sorrow, but we all agreed this was just the right amount of time and one time a year is plenty! We think we will make it an annual event for this same weekend. We thank our good husbands/children for parting with us we we could have this wonderful time together!

I love you, my sweet daughters! Thanks again for a wonderful time "makin' memories!"