A few months back I heard a rumor that my grandparents were going to be having a 60th Wedding Anniversary party the end of June. We really had no intentions of going to Utah for the 4th like we usually have, due to girls camp being so close. In every way it just wasn't practical for us to go at this time. As hard as I was trying to be ok with not going it was killing me to miss out on an opportunity for not only my immediate family to be back together in Utah but also all of our extended family, some I haven't seen in waaay to long!! The closer the date got the harder it was becoming to dismiss. I was really determined to have as many of my camp responsibilities under control on the off chance we could make it happen, and I'm not going to lie I was REALLY due for a distraction. The party/reunion was going to be Saturday June 27th so realistically we needed to leave Friday. I think we finally made a decision on TUESDAY that we were going (just the kids and I). Because Eric had just taken off work to go on our Stakes Pioneer Trek and he was taking off again to come to camp. There was just no way he was going to be able to come, BUUMMER! Needless to say it was a little crazy getting ready to go!!
With that many family members in town I was anxious about where we were going to stay and how that would all work out, and of course when that many of my family-siblings, spouses and kids are together it can be a bit much (UNDERSTATEMENT!!) and making plans and following through with them and everyone getting along, and so on and so forth!! So it was excitement mixed with , stress, anxiety and fear that this was a bad idea but I'm always up for a challenge!
Our kids have always been excellent travelers. Usually my biggest issue is Braydon, and Kiley fighting over the front seat (really guys??? I mean seriously) Luckily this time it was minimal. Malerie and Keaton barely made a peep. I had to keep asking are they awake? We were fortunate to get there quickly and safely. It's hard for me to express the actual physical and emotional changes I feel as I drive into the Utah Valley. It's like my spirit says "YES were home!!" What is even funnnier is the kids have never lived there but they almost experience the same thing.
When we got to town we stopped at Mike and Kelliann's to drop Braydon off and say hi. the boys (my brothers, brother in laws and Braydon were going to some crazy air soft gun course and Braydon was so excited he could hardly stand it. He loves hanging with his older "not always wiser uncles"!!! We gave hugs and kisses to their cute little cousins that we don't see often enough and the rest of us headed up the canyon to Great Grandma's cabin in Midway!!
Saturday I was so giddy in anticiaption of being with all my family again!! I miss the good ol days when we would all gather for Sunday dinners and holidays at grandmas and play games and just have a good time together. The receptin was nice and we got to see a lot of old friends from when we lived here. It was amazing to see how much people have changed and not changed!! The best part was following the reception when it was cousins, aunts, and uncles up the wazoo! Playing games, eating and just catching up!! There is NOTHING better or more important in this world then family!!!
After the party all of my siblings and nieces and nephews went over to the Zermot Resort to watch the play Sound of Music that our dad was playing in. It was so fun sitting on the hillside on blankets with all of our family, under the star in the gorgeous mountains (except it got cold real fast!!) It was a GOOD day!!
