Road Trippin'

Last week, Reagan and I had the pleasure of crossing the boring Nevada desert to spend some time with family. We went sans Matt, due to tax season. A few weeks ago, Laura asked me if I didn't mind accompanying her and Adelaide on a trip out there so she could be on the YW Broadcast trip. Did I mind?? I thought it sounded like a great idea. We went and it was really fun. Neither of us knew what to expect with two toddlers strapped in carseats for almost 12 hours, but it was not bad at all!! I think it helped that they both had each other as entertainment.

We left early, early on a Tuesday morning. Like, we drove out of Concord around 3:45 AM. Laura was such a trooper. 7 months pregnant and she looked wide awake. And drove halfway there. We stopped and ate breakfast in Reno, before we proceeded to cross the Nevada desert and the thriving metropolis' along the way. Our lunch break was in Wells, which pretty much only had a Burger King, but since we both had to urinate like crazy, there was no other option. We arrived in Utah in the afternoon and my sister was kind enough to pick me up in Salt Lake. We drove stright to Layton, where my parents were having lunch at Jason's Deli. I should pause here and point out that my mom had NO IDEA I was driving out there. My dad did and Lindsey obviously did, but most of the other family members had no clue. So we walked into Jason's Deli and I went up behind my mom and put my hands around her eyes and said. "guess who?" She said "Lindsey!" and then Lindsey walked around and sat next to her. When my mom turned around, she shrieked and was all confused. It was great. I snuck in some of their good soft-serve and we left soon after. I don't know if I will be allowed back at Jason's. Between Reagan dropping an entire glass of ice water, my sneaking to the salad bar and also the fact that I looked homeless from riding in a car for 12 hours, no make-up and all oily, they might just post my pic on the front door with a warning sign. I got to see my bro that night, before he left for Florida on business. I freaked out upon finding out that he has actually met the American Idol judges along with Ryan Seacrest. HELLO???!!! If I ever met Simon, I would totally have to give him one of his own famous winks. If you don't know what I am referring to, watch the next episode, watch him closely and you will see that he winks...often...and rather discreetly.

On Wednesday, we hung out. We, of course, had to eat Cafe Rio's pork salad. Reagan road the motorcycle at the mall (below). Then she took a four hour nap. SOOO nice! I guess she was a little tired from the drive.
On Thursday, we headed over to G-ma and G-pa Rasmussen's where upon opening the front door, Reagan ran STRAIGHT for the kitchen. Not the big people's kitchen, but the one found in the picture below. Reagan loved being with them and playing and they were so kind to watch her while I went and got my hair done. It costs me half as much to get it done in Utah than in California. Reagan got to eat her favorite things: meatballs and chicken nuggets, and also mom's favorite things for Reagan: vegetables.
On Friday, I got to go see my grandma (Reagan's great-grandma) who now lives out in Hooper. Reagan played with a pretty ancient-looking stuffed dog and begged for jelly beans from my grandma. She updated us on family and we talked American Idol. That is when I really perked up...my grandma watches American Idol!!! Awesome.
Saturday was a fun day. We headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen's again for a relaxing day. I got the low-down on Boston and New York and spent 3 hours online planning the trip. I was so excited about it that for the first time in 3 days, I did not take an afternoon nap! We ate at Rumbi grill, which was delicious. I got the chicken teriyaki and rice bowl. My sister was right. It was so good.

On Sunday, we went to my parents ward where we spent two hours in nursery. That was hard stuff. Some kids are so sweet and others are so mean. I really hope that Reagan doesn't turn out to be a mean kid. At the same time, I don't want her to be all sissy that cries if I look at her wrong. A nice medium would be great. I got to chat with Loni for a bit on Sunday, since during the week she is either miss social butterfly or working hard at the cleaners. I learned how to text as I pretended I was her and "chatted" with her boyfriend(s). The entire family came over so we could celebrate Caitlin, Lance's and Autumn's b-days. It was loud, crazy fun. Autumn requested that we have burnt hot dogs and Reagan ate one for the first time. We made the Food Networks Ultimate Recipe Challenge winning cake: Chocolate Layer Cake. It was so-so. I guess when you are used to the Betty Crocker mixes, the made-from-scratch ones taste a little odd. It looked really pretty, though! The family modeled my flower bows and Loren (not pictured) made goofy faces. I did not post that photo of him, as he didn't look very "abercrombie-ish" in it. As a vain side note, I look large in this photo and it is an unflattering angle. I swear I still work out.We drove home early early on Monday morning. Another 3:30 AM drive out. Thanks so much to Mom Ras for picking me up at 3 AM and driving me into Salt Lake during a snow blizzard. And Laura was the trooper who pulled through again. Her expertise driving got us out of Salt Lake unscathed and we made it home in 11 hours. We arrived home to 70 degree weather and this beautiful message from hubby below: