Making Memories: Fun Fall Things to Do with My Sister Before Her Mission
My youngest sister just got called to serve an LDS mission to our homeland the Philippines, and asked me to come to the temple with her before she leaves. I was like, “GIRL, you know it!” Lucky for me, she was all for flying out here for a visit (her first time in an airplane!). We spent 10 days together filled with food, temple, shopping, and family. She drew the above cartoon in a thank you note before she left, and it’s pretty much my new favorite family portrait!
Meet my “baby sister” Lee Ann! There’s about 10 years between us. She was about 8 when I left home, and we haven’t had a chance to have one-on-one sister bonding time until now (like 10 years later). It’s been so fun getting to know her as an adult! I learned that we have a LOT in common, and that she is even more amazing than I already thought she was.
Spiritual Highlights
My sister went to the temple to receive special blessings and make important promises with God. She was able to visit several temples during her trip, and how grateful I am to be able to share those experiences with her! We went to the Provo temple for her first time, and she did a session at the Provo City Center temple later. We visited the Manti temple where I was married many years ago, and how wonderful to return with my sister! On her last day, we walked through Temple Square in Salt Lake City, checked out the visitor’s center with the small scale replica of the iconic temple, then toured the tabernacle and the General Conference Center before heading to the airport.
Food Highlights
Apparently my sister and I share a love of fancy food! We celebrated by eating out as often as we could, and tried a bunch of places I had never been to as well as restaurants that I wouldn’t take Jeremy to.
Right after baby and I grabbed my sis from the airport, we had a small window to eat so instead of hanging around Salt Lake City we headed to Pleasant Grove for gourmet grilled cheese (and their special Vampire Float) at Cravings Bistro, then topped off down the street with gourmet cupcakes from Cravings Alisha’s Cupcakes. We got the pumpkin version of their “Better than What”, the Blueberry Lemon, and Caramel Apple. Oh. My. Writing about it is making me crave them right now. I got zero pictures of them because they were enjoyed and inhaled. I’m pretty sure I got Mommy points for stopping myself and saving half for my daughter after school. Those cupcakes were perfection and worth every penny for a non-baker like me!
There are so many great places to eat in Provo, but on her First Day at the Temple we were all dressed up, on a spiritual high after coming from the temple, and had zero babies to worry about. We went to a sit down (fancy) place called Black Sheep where I would never attempt to take my kids, and ordered exactly what we wanted! They’ve changed a lot since I last ate there—many of the Native American touches, flavors, and vibes are gone and replaced with what I’d deem trendy/contemporary stuff? Normally I’d order a Navajo taco, but my sister had a great appetite and wanted a juicy burger and our server told us about the best item on the menu. It was AMAZE-BALLS. Next time you go there, try the Blue Burger (even for those who hate blue cheese, like me!)—they switched out the blue cheese for goat cheese for me! I think Sis got the Goat Burger.
I’ll probably never be able to do Zupa’s Lobster or seafood anything again, because on the way home Sis got sick and puked out the window so it kind of “left an impression”. I had nowhere to pull over on the freeway, we were about 9 minutes from home, and she was a trooper and thought she could make it!
At home I made my version of pancit (she seemed to approve!). We had some yummy gyros from Costco, wings and twice-baked potatoes and Jer’s famous baked beans at a family gathering, and Jeremy’s chili for Halloween. We also stopped at Ginger’s Cafe in Springville, and ate at the Lion House in Salt Lake City (delicious bread rolls!).
Family Bonding
I didn’t realize how much Sis loves babies until she came and stayed with us! Baby didn’t want me anymore when he could have Auntie! I didn’t think she’d want to go to a bunch of “kid things” on her trip, but she was all for going to the library for Story Time, doing anything Baby wanted to do, meeting my toddler at the bus, watching L perform a thriller dance at school during the Halloween Parade, and reading bedtime stories so that I could wash dishes.
It was wonderful carving pumpkins together for Family Home Evening, lighting them all, and trick or treating with the kids. I made only half of our costumes this year, and wondered why I do this to myself every year when buying them is so much easier!
We were able to have some wonderful deep discussions and I loved getting to know the things she’s been doing while I’ve been away. She’s so adorable and talented and smart—it warmed my heart that at dances she was the matchmaker rather than a participant. One of my favorite one-on-one times together was spending a whole rainy day on the couch eating junk food, watching Chick Flicks, and enjoying the Netflix series The Dragon Prince. She also taught me how to braid my own hair for heatless curls… And! She arranged for Jer and I to go on a date while she watched the kids.
She’ll make one of the finest missionaries! We did lots of shopping since we were in “missionary mecca”, and went everywhere from Sister Missionary Mall and Deseret Book to local boutiques, thrift stores, and retail shops in the mall. I hope she was able to get a few essentials while she was here. Somehow she was able to fit everything in her backpack and didn’t have to check luggage at the airport! I was super impressed because I don’t think I could have done that. I’m glad we ran into a few missionaries that she was able to get advice from since I was t very helpful in that department. I miss her so much, I hope she comes back soon before she leaves to the MTC. We already promised cookies to be delivered when she gets there!
Love, Kat
