Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The Great Escape!


The weekend before last I got the greatest Mother’s day present ever---a 5 day vacation! Jayson had a free plane ticket that was about to expire, and his company was requiring everyone to take a week of vacation this quarter anyway, so he let me use his ticket and he stayed home with all the kids. What a great guy! Don’t worry, he did have help---my friend Virgina, who can pretty much run things at my house blindfolded with both arms tied behind her back, practically moved in to help out while I was gone. There were also several other friends who, when they found out I was gone, brought over meals or picked up one or two of the babies for an afternoon playdate.

I spent my five, kid-free days in Utah. Both of my parents are from Orem, Utah, so I have lots of family members there, including my grandparents whom I don’t get to see very often anymore. I also timed my trip so that I could attend Women’s Conference, an annual event put on by Brigham Young University (my Alma mater). My mom flew in from Phoenix to attend Women’s Conference with me.

The Women’s Conference was Thursday and Friday. The theme for the conference was “In the Strength of the Lord”. We enjoyed hearing from several speakers. My favorites were Jon Bytheway, Brad Wilcox, and L. Tom Perry. Thursday night there was a concert featuring several LDS musicians. After spending two days listening to uplifting and motivational talks and listening to beautiful music, I really feel like my spirit and my psyche got a much-needed boost!




My mom (Betty Ann), myself and my Grandma Rappleye at the BYU Women's Conference




Me and my mom in front of the Ernest L. Wilkinson Center. (no relation to me, but cool last name all the same!) "Y" mountain in the background.




At the conference, we ran into my friend Christina Brian. Christina and I lived a few streets apart when we were growing up. We went to high school together (though she was a grade younger) and attended the same church. She has a set of twin girls and a set of triplet boys. Coincidentally, she was pregnant with her triplets at the same time I was pregnant with the quints, and we both had the same doctor--Dr. Elliott.


Both my sister Tiare and my brother, Shane attend BYU and are living in Provo for the summer. They both have full-time jobs, but we were able to meet up with them for dinner every night while we were there.




Shane and Mom




Rachelle and Tiare



Saturday morning we got up bright and early (and I mean EARLY!) so that we could go to the temple. My Grandma Rappleye plays the organ at the Mount Timpanogos Temple on Saturday mornings. It was cold and rainy outside, but inside the temple was peaceful and beautiful. For more information on LDS Temples, click HERE.


Mount Timpanogos Temple



Saturday afternoon I met up with my good friend Meagan, who used to live around the corner from us here in Texas. Meagan was babysitting my kids while I was at the doctor’s office on that monumental day when we found out we were having quintuplets. She was the first person I told and the first shoulder I cried on. She moved to Utah about halfway through my pregnancy, and I was really sad to see her go!


Rachelle and Meagan



Sunday was filled with family activities. We went to my cousin’s baby blessing in Springville, my aunt’s Relief Society lesson in Eagle Mountain, a family gathering (for my dad’s side of the family) at my grandparents home in Orem, and an extended family home evening (for my mom’s side of the family) in South Jordan. Did I mention that I have A LOT of family members in Utah???


In between family gatherings, we managed to have dinner with my Uncle Alan and Aunt Kathy Sue



Making dinner with my cousin, Heather






The great gathering of Curtis' (my dad's side of the family)



Me with my Aunt Debbie (my dad's sister). My siblings all think I look just like her.




Grandma Rappleye with my cousin Noelle's baby who was only one day old!



Monday I squeezed in a quick visit with Megan (Jayson’s sister) and Alex (her husband) before doing some last minute shopping and one last lunch with my mom, sister and grandma. Then it was time to fly home and go back to “real life”.


Alex, Megan and Rachelle



When I returned home, everything was in perfect order. Jayson said he actually did less work with me gone than he does when I am here. I gave Virginia specific instructions that she was not to make things too easy for him---so that he would appreciate me when I got back! Clearly she didn’t listen to me on that one, but it is probably better that way---since it wasn’t too painful, Jayson might be willing to let me go again sometime!!

It was a much needed break and I am so grateful to Jayson and Virginia for making it possible!


My Trip, By the numbers:


0 = The number of poopy diapers I changed
15 = The number of meals I ate without cutting up someone else’s food
16 = The number of speakers I listened to at Women’s Conference
2 = The number of BYU Mint Brownies I ate—YUM!
2 = The number of favorite restaurants from my BYU days that I revisited (Café Rio and Hogi Yogi)
1 = The number new restaurants I tried that I am adding to my favorites list (Zupa’s—great salads and sandwiches and every meal comes with a chocolate covered strawberry!)
1 = The number of “chick flicks” I went to (17 Again)
2 = The number of pounds of chocolate covered cinnamon bears I brought back for Jayson and the kids
20 = The number of pounds of Miller’s creamy honey I brought back (it is the best!)
77 = The number of family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, etc) that I was able to see in Utah




Of course, no post could be complete without at least a few pictures of the kids!


The week before my trip, Riley competed in the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby race. His car won first prize in both speed and design. He was so excited! So was Jayson----my dad made some pretty great pinewood derby cars with my brothers growing up, so I think he really felt the pressure :-)


Riley with his car and two trophies!




Riley's "Batmobile" Pinewood Derby car




Kaiya at her Kindergarten student-led conference. Kaiya has really done well in school this year. She has made amazing progress in her reading skills.




Fun with bubbles!! Ryder, Rustin, Kyndall, Kassidy, Kaydence




Early morning bottle: Kaydence, Kaiya, Rustin, Kyndall, Ryder, and Kassidy



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22 comments:

The Queen Vee said...
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The Queen Vee said...
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The Queen Vee said...

A well deserved escape, glad you had such a great time. I'm with you on the honey, yum. Love the bubble quint pic, what joy. I bet you had a great welcome home.

Virginia, as my family would say "YOU"RE THE BOMB".

Stephanie said...

WOW..what a great (and deserving!!) trip you got to go on!!!
I'm sure it was so nice to see all your family!
The pictures are all so beautiful!!
That bubble pic and coach pic are so stinking cute!!

ShEiLa said...

You sure titled this post in a most awesome way... literally.

What an awesome time you had visiting and eating and learning and having time to yourself mostly. 0 diaper changes... wow!

You sure packed a bunch into your 'great escape'... good for you.

ToOdLeS.

Mother of the Wild Boys said...

How fun! Now that my kiddos are a little older, I enjoy taking the occasional trip alone. It's nice to get that relax time, and then come home to a house full of love. :)

Stephanie said...

Super fun post! I was wondering how your trip went. We haven't been back to Utah since we left 5 years ago. I definitely miss the mint brownies and chocolate covered cinnamon bears. I've never tried the honey. How fun! Virgina and Jayson are so cool!

MDtripmom said...

What a wonderful trip for you! I bet it was heavenly! It also seems like you made the very most of your 5 days in UT. We're heading out ourselves next Sunday but we're taking the triplets with us, wish us luck! It's going to be crazy but will be nice to go back and visit with my husband's family.

P.S. - That bubbles picture of the quints is priceless!

Tiare said...

Rachelle! That picture of the little ones in the bubbles is super cute! That could work as a calender pic!

Anyway, I am glad I got to see you on your great escape!

Rebecca said...

If you're doing a calendar this year, I think the bubbles picture (or one more staged) would be a great idea! Glad you got to have fun at Womens Conference.

Schauers Hours said...

You squeezed in quite a lot in those 5 days! It was fun to see you again. Thanks for choosing the Rockies as your vacation spot! :)

Julianne said...

I love this post because I just did the same thing! It was so heavenly! I did take one child with me, though, but she was an angel baby the entire weekend. Glad you had such a wonderful time. We have great hubbies willing to let us go for days at a time. :) My neighbor was shocked when I told her he stayed home with 4 kids all by himself.

Julie said...

You do look a lot like your aunt! Glad you had a great time!

The Lane Family said...

What a great trip. IT made me homesick. I grew up in Idaho but had lots of family and friends in the Utah area. We live in Virginia now so I miss the mountains and that area!! I am glad you got a vacation. My husband has offered to do the same thing for me..but I worry. Obviously if your husband can take care of 7 my husband can take care of 3.

Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke said...

wow, a trip alone?! Good for you!!! I lvoe the bubble picture and Riley's car is very cool. I do think that Rappleye is one of the coolest last names.

Hannah said...

your trip looked so fun, and what a great way to spend it. and your kids are like thee cutest kids ever!! they are so adorable!! hope your week back to reality goes smoothly!!
-hannah

Meagan said...

Glad you had such a great time in good ol' Utar!! I loved seeing you. It's like we never skipped a beat. Maybe the next reunion will be me coming back to Austin! Thanks for making time to see me...oh and thanks for cropping by butt out of the pic of us! You are tall! Hee! Hee!

Kelly said...

What a wonderful trip for you. I am so glad you got to do this and it sounds like Jayson and Virginia and all your friends who helped out did well. You look really pretty in all the pictures too. It was fun to hear about your friend who was babysitting the day you found out you were having quintuplets.

savannah said...

It looks like you had a blast up in Utah. It's always fun to be without kids for a couple of days.

Pink Posts said...

I love reading your blog and as soon as I saw the tulip/"Y" Mountain pic I suspected you were at WC. I go to WC every year and I always associate it with tulips and take tons of tulip pics. I enjoyed this post alot! I didn't get down to the Smith Field House but enjoyed all the sessions I went to and everything else!

Anonymous said...

I just have to say that I always hoped that I would one day run into your family at BYU (I'm currently a student there) and I wish I could have run into you! But I'm glad you enjoyed the mint brownies...I work in the pastry kitchen that makes them and we slaved over those brownies (literally) and I love hearing how much people enjoy them. It makes all the hard work more worth it!

Sue Anne said...

So, I'm sitting here scanning ABCNEWS.com and what do I see ... a big picture of the Wilkinson family. You have one of my favorite blogs. I actually came across your blog via a friend, but I can't remember who. :)