Vacation Ups and Downs

We just returned from an 8-day trip to Utah to take part in the wedding of my one and only sister, Melanie. As always, there were ups and downs, and here they are in a nutshell:'

UPS:
*The wedding (Bountiful Temple).
*Gorgeous weather on the wedding day.
*Seeing many relatives and friends.
*Reuniting with Annica and Josh!
*Meeting Rachelle's boyfriend Chris.
*Listening to Sara and Nikki sing (separately) at the wedding luncheon.
*Going to Ben Franklin (NOT here).
*Getting great deals on fabric.
*Buying gas for $1.59 a gallon.
*Pheasant hunting with Blake and boys (for Lance and Zachary).
*Finding a yummy gluten-free pizza place (Pier 49 Pizza in SLC).
*Visiting Temple Square and the Conference Center.
*Attending the Draper Temple open house.
*Sleeping in late (or later than usual)!
*Watching the snow fall.
*Seeing Melanie's and Greg's new house.
*Eating good food.
*Visiting Kris and knowing she's doing well after the sudden death of her husband 2 months ago.
*Finding an acceptable dress to wear for the reception.
*Getting Mark's hair cut!
*Spending time with my parents and family.
*Having all of my kids together!

DOWNS:
*Being confined to the house Tuesday because it snowed all day! (15 inches at my parents' house)
*Losing out on pheasant hunting (for Mark).
*A few tense moments preparing for the wedding luncheon and reception.
*Knowing that the decorator's brother-in-law burned to death the day before the wedding.
*Experiencing fog and icy roads on the last leg of the trip down.
*Sibling squabbles in the car (just a few minor ones, though, and what would a trip be like without them?).
*Waiting and waiting and waiting in a church gym to be transported to the Draper Temple.
*Not being able to walk out on the Conference Center roof (Mark).
*Missing some relatives who weren't able to attend the wedding or reception.
*Knowing my mom was suffering from an abcessed tooth.
*Sore feet from standing all night at the reception in uncomfortable shoes.
*The line of people waiting to greet the bride and groom at the reception. It was endless (at least it seemed that way).