the Graham Cracker House

I know this is out of chronological order- but I have to mention how much we enjoyed spending Conference weekend with Kacy and Maren.   (recently remembered  because I just uploaded my pictures).

I would have LOVED an older sisters house to hang out at (even if she was married) when I was a freshmen at BYU, and I hope Kacy and Maren (my adopted sister) enjoy coming up here as much as I would have.

It was great to have girl time, someone to make peanut butter treats with, just people visting us in our little apartment (which doesn't happen too often).   The college girls bravely rode the bus and trax up to SLC all by themselves, I was proud.  We then carried on the Murray tradition of eating crepes for breakfast, and the newly established Graham tradition of attending at least one session one temple square.  Someone must have been living righteously, because although we were planning on doing the standby line, someone from the stake gave us 4 tickets to the exact session we were planning on attending.  It was a wonderful and fulfilling experience; sharing it with family made it that much better.  I especially love hearing the testimonies of the apostles and hearing their JOY in living the gospel.

We stayed up "late" with games and desserts... making me feel as if I were in college myself again.  Sunday afternoon we all went down to Wendy's to watch the last session of conference on a real TV (we had watched the ASL version on our internet for the other sessions).  Along with some real good food compliments of Chef Wendy and the Sunday Dinner Club.

Okay Bjorn AND myself... but nobody has ever spent 4 1/2 days in Salt Lake City just to visit us.  Apparently, his parents (and sister) love us.   They flew down from WA Friday afternoon and started thier touristy tradition (his mom loves to do EVERYTHING there is a to do in any town she visits).  It had been over 10 years since they'd been to Utah, so there were plenty of attractions to hit: temple square (including museum, conference center, JS movie, etc.),  Bingham Copper Mine, BYU football game, introducing them to our favorite ice cream (SubZero), walking around BYU campus, welfare square, DI, air force museum... and of course the boys went shooting and the girls went shopping.

For me the most memorable moment was the BYU Homecoming game.  I hadn't been to a football game since 2008, and even then I wasn't too thrilling of an event.  Granted, that could have something to do with the fact that I was on the phone with Bjorn half the time as we were "long distance dating" during that semester.  At that time of life  I didn't go to the games with any friends as they all seemed to be glued to "significant others".  Overall, the last few games I went to were not much fun at all..  So I was understandably a bit nervous to bring my in-laws to a sporting event I hadn't enjoyed lately.  Not to mention BYU's losing streak.  What was I thinking?!?  However- entering Lavell Edwards Stadium brought a grin to my face.  The GOOD games, the GOOD times, the GOOD memories all came back.  What a lively environment!  And the game turned out to be amazing!  Besides the fact that BYU won, we made some good plays, and the whole thing was enjoyable to watch.  Great weather, no sun in our eyes, the cougar marching band (with my sister in it), the traditions, the students, the cheering, the hilarious opening prayer...... Maybe BYU is trying to lure me back? Regardless, I am and always will be a supportive alumni.



Most importantly, we enjoyed some Graham family favorites such  as cooking breakfast together (well, 2 of the crew),  playing board games, and birthday traditions.  Thanks family!