If you want some good eats, head to Pat's Barbeque.  

Yes, when you pull up you will wonder where the restaurant is because

it looks ghetto! 

You will also be curious as to why someone recommended to go there,

or why it has received awards.

Just park and walk inside, well, then walk through the still sketchy halls and sit down at your table.

Then lick your lips and try not to drool as you indulge in the tastiest ribs in Utah!

Our Pat's BBQ visit was a reunion with the rest of the cousins.  Since Justin (Corinne's husband) and the other 3 boys couldn't make it to California, this was the first place Caroline saw her other sweet cousins.  Also, the boys were so excited to meet Olive!

We all ate here the night before Clark and Kate's Salt Lake reception.

Our trip for the wedding took us to California.  Ironically enough, Concord, California to be exact.  We just can't get enough of Concord.  We were greeted Friday morning in the lobby of the hotel by this precious love.....oh how we have missed Liam!

                                                                            

We ate breakfast in the lobby and reunited with everyone there! We were SO so excited to see them!  Caroline gave everyone huge hugs and wouldn't let go, it was the best scene to watch.  Unfortunately there was a Creepy McCreepface (who my family had met the day before) there with a notebook and she was super interested in all the kids. She was writing everything down: names, birthdays, who belonged to who...freaky. Adam confronted her and she said that she didn't have to take his harassment and told him she was a trained psychiatrist. Whatever...I think she received her training from all the times she had been seen. Come to find out she is a resident in a program there that houses stable mentally challenged patients. After that we just brought food to the kids in our rooms.

The wedding was at the Oakland Temple.  I have never seen such vibrant and abundant flowers!  They were a perfect backdrop for the beautiful couple.  The ceremony was incredible and I of course began crying right when Clark and Kate entered the room.  They were radiant and I was so excited for them.

The handsome groom with his sisters who just adore him!

The wedding dinner was quaint and so memorable.  It was in the backyard of the home Kate grew up in.  White tent, twinkle lights, cobble stone path, fragrant flowers, and loved ones.  Kate's family was so enjoyable to be with and Adam and I wish we could hang out with them more!

Caroline loved hanging out with all of her aunts and uncles.

ALL of the sisters!  Welcome to the family Mrs. Winegar!

And...when we weren't celebrating with wedding festivities, we kicked up our heels and went out on the town!  We had two minutes to spare to catch our ferry to Alcatraz.  There was actually an old inmate there on the island who was signing his new book.  He had been there in prison for bank robbery.  I was a bit creeped out being right there with a former inmate, but I thought it was cool all at the same time.  We did so many things and a trip to San Fran wouldn't be complete without a trip to Ghiradelli Square for a sinful ice cream treat, a ride over the Golden Gate Bridge, or some warm chowda in a sourdough bread bowl on the wharf.

Well we made it safe and sound to our old stomping ground...Salt Lake! It has been non-stop busy since we left Concord. Traveling went really smoothly and the girls did great. The only flaw in the travel time was that Adam lost his wedding ring in security at the airport. He called, they don't have it, but I love him more so than ever before so who needs the ring, right? Well, I guess we can be a little sad.
We traveled first to San Francisco (I heart that place!) to go to my little brother's wedding to his beautiful bride, Kate. What a great place to reunite with the family! The weekend was absolutely perfect, pics to come soon. This week has been full of seeing family and friends and getting ready for the Utah reception. It has meant A LOT of organizing at my parents house, which I LOVE.
Other things I love about being in Utah, and then things I have not loved so much are...
Loving- Being with family and letting them love and cuddle sweet Olive and hear Caroline's cute little nasaly voice. I want them to know all of our amazing family members.

Not loving- The constant blood shot allergy eyes that weep, my nose that is running non-stop, and the sneezing that won't cease! Blast the cute cat, who I have to say is named "Kitty". No other named fit 13 years ago.

Loving- Having a dishwasher, washer and dryer IN the house, garbage disposal, recycling and garbage cans, cement sidewalks, a yard for Caroline to run and dance in, a bathtub!

Not loving- Feeling like I am pre 16 again and having to schedule when I can use the car or get a ride. I really can't complain though cause my mom has been the greatest Taxi driver who likes to buy her riders lunch!

Loving- Living with my grandmother (who lives at my parents). She is incredible and I hope to go on a walk down the block with her everyday. And being close Adam's sweet, couragous mother who is fighting breast cancer.

Not loving- How much we miss our dear friends in the Shire. We have grown so close to them and love all they have done for us the past year. We hope all is well back at our home!

Loving- Everyday being around my knitting, crocheting, sewing, singing, piano playing teacher....my dear mother! I am excited to take advantage of all her sweet skills.

and most of all...Loving- I see Adam sooo much more and get to have a lot more stress free time each day. These days of summer are going to be most cherished.

The sweetest sound

It's nice to have a fan club. Apparently she thinks mama and daddy are hilarious.

Young Love?

Caroline and Thomas

I don't know if it's love, but whatever it is

it's the most innocent and winsome interaction

I have ever seen.

This picture depicts Caroline's dressing style perfectly.  

When Caroline gets dressed, she likes to try on everything as well.

She usually goes through at least 5 full outfits a day.

From a swimsuit, to "ballets", to "beautiful gowns", to daddy's cap and a backpack.

Oh yes, and don't forget the shoes.

"How does this look?" she asks excitedly. "Do I look stylin'?"

She will also tap her chubby little pointer finger on her lip and say thoughtfully,

"Hmm...what should I wear?"

Adam says it's my dream come true to play dress-up all day

with our little girl and he is oh so right!

Today's thrills

Hooray to Adam for attending his last classes of his first year of law school today!

Finals are still to come, but we are so proud of the dedication, day in and day out

that we have seen.  

He has taught me a lot about not complaining.  I have not heard him

complain once.  

No comment about continual lack of sleep, endless studying, stressful exams

and papers.  I love his example!

He comes home to us with a smile, even if his head is aching from working so hard all day.   

The trip to the grocery store went well with both girls today.
I know, you're thinking, the grocery store a thrill!?
But when it goes smooth, it's bliss.

Caroline was raving about everything on the list:

"Hamburger, oh I LOVE hamburger!"

"Mommy, BANANAS!  Oo, yum."

"Oh, orange juice, that's a GREAT idea mom!"

I never want to forget her cute little animated voice.

Caroline's little friend Thomas was over today and they crack me up.

Most of the time they are so polite to each other and

sound so mature.
The girl/boy dynamic is so great.
"Thomas, would you like a princess sticker?"
"No thanks, do you have any boy stickers?"

They usually end up laughing hysterically during lunch 

over what?  I never can quite tell.

My mom's email that said in a humungo font "20 DAYS"!
Yes the countdown is on 'till we arrive in SLC.
I can't wait for family to squeeze, snuggle, hug, and love our girls.

Showering sweet baby Olive and having her smell like baby lotion after.
I heart that smell.