Meg and Mom go to Utah

Last time I flew out to visit my mom, I sat by a man that also made trips frequently to visit his parents. We quickly got into heavy conversation about the effects of dementia and ways to protect the mental health of a caretaking child or spouse.  He mentioned that he uses those trips not just to help his mom and dad, but also as an opportunity to take one of his children with him. Having time with just `kid is so hard to get! 

So I took Megan with me! 

She was introduced the the only scenario in which I am happy to wear a mask...no one can see my mouth hanging open when I fall asleep mid-flight. 

Our main objective for this trip is to visit with my mom and have yummy things to eat. Second is to turn this gorgeous abundance of blossoms....

Into this:

For that, we need ALL the people!

Mom is supervising, of course. Without her, I don't think I could've made the decision to "rip them out!"

She knows that making the sacrifice now while we are all in town to help will make it so she doesn't have to do all this prep in the spring. 

She's a wise woman. 

Feels like old times with mom and all her worker bees out in the yard. 

Jay came by at the end of the day and we loaded it all up to take to the dump. 

While we were in town, there just happened to be a Johnson reunion! I haven't seen most of these aunts, uncles and cousins in a couple decades. It was fun to catch up and fun to introduce Megan!

And if that wasn't enough, we snuck out of there with Mom's pico de gallo recipe!