August 14-17, 2025: Utah trip with Jess and the girls

Nate Hatch was getting married on Saturday, August 16th in the Draper Utah Temple, so we took a road trip to see him and all the Hatch family! It was a reunion of sorts, because many Hobbs' would be attending from Idaho. Mike and I and Jessica did not want to miss out on such a rare opportunity to see everyone.

We left Albuquerque on a Thursday so we'd have at least one whole day (Friday) with Jared's family before the busy wedding festivities on Saturday. We stopped in Farmington NM on the way so we could check out the newest local temple and its lovely temple grounds. It was good to get out and stretch our legs!

The gorgeous flower beds lifted our spirits!

We loved these beautiful front doors and the entrance into the temple

A brand new LDS Chapel across the street from the new temple

My sweet Dunlap girls

A late lunch/early dinner at Chic-A-Filet

We enjoyed our time with Jared, Mario, and Milo Thursday evening and Friday. Jenny was away at their cabin working with contractors who were updating their buildings. We visited, played with Bear (the newest addition to their family), played card games, ate some tasty food, and set up our rooms. Jess and the girls camped out on the basement sectional while Mike and I slept in the basement guest room. 

On Friday, the Albuquerque gang enjoyed the backyard swimming pool! After we got ready for the day, Jared took us to Salt Lake's Chinatown where we spent a few hours walking around and tasting yummy Asian food. That was a really fun outing for all of us. 

I love my sweet boy!

We tasted Korean hot dogs and Korean BBQ wings at another place, and checked out the Asian Market--all under one roof. We need to go back and try the Tonkatsu and the ramens that Jared told us about!

Friday night, we went to a fun restaurant together and had a late dinner with Jared and the boys.

On Saturday, August 16th, we surprised the girls with a Harry Potter Exhibit in Sandy Utah. Jared had given them his boys' pricey Harry Potter hooded coats so they were dressed for the occasion! Jess and Sofia enjoyed the experience the most.

     

Following the exhibit fun, we headed to Draper Utah for Nate Hatch and Sabrina Ferrell's temple sealing! It was beautiful, and we were able to see ALL of Brad Hatch's family plus Steve and Linda Hobbs. The single Hatch kids watched over Hannah and Sofia. It was so nice to visit with our Idaho family! We hung around after the wedding and talked to Brad's family and to Steve and Linda. It was a while before our family photos were taken, and it was hot outside. I enjoyed holding handsome little Hobbs Hatch, Kendall and Hannah's middle child. He was overly tired and whiny, but he was calm on my lap and on my shoulder. I fell in love with that sweet boy and wanted to take him home with us!

The single Hatch boys, Noah and Christopher. Christopher is a student at West Point Military Academy in New York and is deferring his education to serve a full-time mission in Lima Peru. The Hatch boys are so faithful!

Eugene Hatch, Jonathan and Emily's eldest son

Hatch cousins

Billie Hatch, Jonathan and Emily's third child

Kendall holding his youngest son 

Jess with her girls and Heidi Hatch. It was so windy out!

Heidi and her boyfriend Michael with Jess and her girls

Here come the bride and groom (exiting through the temple doors)!

The beautiful Draper Utah Temple

After the photo shoots, we drove around and looked at the amazing brick and stone homes in Draper near the temple and went to an Open House. You get a lot more house for the money in Utah.

There was a simple luncheon held at Sabrina's parents' home in Highland Utah that afternoon. She has the nicest parents and siblings. When everyone was done eating, Nate and Sabrina sang a love song to each other while she played the piano. It was really sweet. And her parents and Brad shared their feelings about the couple. Nate and Sabrina are such a perfect, happy pair! And they are so blessed to have parents and family on both sides that love and support them.

Seeing Steve and Linda Hobbs was a highlight of our trip. We sat with them during the luncheon at Sabrina's aunt's home in Highland Utah.

Brad gave an emotional congratulations to the newlyweds

Nate and Sabrina sang a love song to each other

We took the girls to Walmart after we left the luncheon and let them look around and pass the time before the evening reception. They were tired and wanted to return to Jared's house, but we didn't want to drive back to SLC and then have to turn around and go back for the reception. The reception was held in the awesome backyard of Sabrina's aunt in Highland. There was a long table of fresh fruits and veggies, lots of drinks, and an ice cream truck that served ice cream and homemade cookies. To our surprise, Ted and Jenni Finch showed up from Springville UT. It was so good to see them (wish I had a photo)!

Cool ice cream (and cookies) truck at the reception

Michael with Eugene Hatch and his uncle Noah Hatch

Kendall taking his kids to the ice cream truck

Heidi with her boyfriend Michael

It was wonderful to see Brad Hatch!

Cutting the cake! But sadly the guests never got to taste any

Time for dancing

Dance party!

Making their escape for their honeymoon

By the time we left the reception, it was pretty late, and we didn't get back to SLC till around 9:30pm. Jenny was home, and they had food for us. We had a nice visit with her and the rest of the family (minus Mario who goes to bed early). We even played more card games. 

On Sunday morning, Jenny had bought doughnuts and made some hot microwave breakfast for us before we left. She is so thoughtful. It was a wonderful trip, and I'm so glad we went! But I never get enough time with Jared and his family. I love them so much.