Tonight, Ray and I returned from a short trip to Salt Lake City to celebrate our great-nephew’s graduation from college. We left at 10 am Mountain Time this morning and arrived home at 9 pm Pacific Time. A long driving trip but with some pretty views and lots of good music and radio shows on Sirius XM.

Yesterday, we had the treat of an unexpected snowstorm in Salt Lake City. A rainy day turned into a snowy one as the temperature dropped, and we enjoyed seeing fat snowflakes fill the air and blanket the yard, trees, and foliage. The streets remained clear, which was great. It was still snowing this morning, but the roads were not icy for our drive. This made for some beautiful views of snow-capped mountains as we drove out of SLC.

We had a lovely time with our Utah family. We are all very good friends, so it’s fun and relaxing to spend time together. Lots of conversation and laughter.

I feel very lucky to have such a strong connection to my extended family. Of course, I cried when we left, but that’s okay. It just means I love these folks and will miss them until we see one another again. I feel happy that I have such sweet feelings towards them. A true blessing.

Here are a few photos:

My nephew Jim’s and his wife Karri’s backyard yesterday

Daughter Sarah and granddaughter Lyla

Grandson Ethan with Granddaughter Lyla, plus Jim and Karri’s dog

My niece Kevin and her husband Scott

Karri with her son, Eli, my great-nephew

My great-niece, Sophie, Karri (Sophie and Eli’s Mom), Me, Eli, and Kevin, my niece (Sophie and Eli’s aunt)

Chuckarama Dinner with everyone who came for the graduation except for Sophie and her boyfriend, Wyatt.