Cousin Time Continued!

We were sad to take Michael to the airport Sunday, but after loading up that van and getting those kids to Utah, it just feels too quick to turn right around and go home after a week. So we spent 4 more days with family and kicked the week off with Lagoon!

This was one of my favorite spots growing up. It took me a long time in life to conquer my roller coaster fear... didn't happen until a school trip to Lagoon in 8th grade when I just had to ride all the rides thanks to good old peer pressure. And I absolutely loved them from there on out. I didn't expect Westin to ride much based on his super cautious way of life, but he was up for anything he was tall enough for and he LOVED it all! I was shocked! And I was equally shocked that rides didn't make me nauseous, since I haven't been on one since before I had Westin. But I went straight onto the Samurai with Ali while Matthias was so kind to be with all the babies, and I was just laughing and in heaven that whole ride. A little later Logan's family met up with us and we had so much fun getting the kids to all the fun spots in the park, and we spent 10 hours there that day. Such a blast and way more fun than I even expected it to be.

The next day we slowed things down, did laundry, hung out with Ali and Logan's families some more, and ate delicious Utah food. Why do they have such yummy chains there? Cubby's sweet potato fries forever. On Wednesday the boys spent a good chunk of time in Lehi with cousins, I helped Jenny do a little bit of pantry reorganization and she totally overhauled her space that day -- new shelves and baskets and painted shelves on one wall, so fun! 

Then Thursday we made our drive home. I stopped at Swig on my way out of town and listened to The Woman They Could Not Silence and we had a great drive day. Asher didn't even cry, that angel. Though our second stop in Laramie was a total bust when we were suddenly violently attacked by mosquitos. I found myself running from a picnic table back to my car while still nursing, they came on so fast and strong! We had the bites to prove it and it was very violating. Mosquitos are the worst.

We made it home about 6 and Pam's family came over about then with some pizza and grapes and the cousin fun continued! Michael took Lily's wisdom teeth out earlier in the week while Gary was working a few days in Fort Collins. We went to a splash pad together on Friday and to the Greeley Stampede with them on Saturday. They came to church with us on Sunday and left straight from there to Yellowstone.

Back to back cousin time is what summer is made of! The boys loved our trip. I don't think they'll ever know the work behind a solo road trip with them and packing up a super full van and managing tiny children bathroom stops and keeping everyone happy on skipped naps and full days. But I do know they'll remember these highlights and they'll love their cousins forever and those things make me really happy. Trips are work and trips are the best. 

Heading into the park as soon as it opened!

These babies were troopers.

Camden took some convincing to ride rides but he was a fan of these boats

One of us had much more waterfall exposure than the others on this ride.... :)

Dippin' Dots. Ice Cream of the Forever Future

These two are just so much. So much loving and fighting and laughing and arguing and playing and chasing and it's hilarious.

Baby buddies.

Asher stealing Dallin's binky was a crack up. 
He has never taken one. He just stole it just to steal it.

Goodbyes aren't fun.

It's getting to be pretty wild with all of us around.

Ali has a bed in her unfinished basement and I was just loving sleeping down there with Asher.
It was just fun to be able to see him when I woke up, cute little guy.

Found another cool park between Ali's house and my house.
We're learning all the stops.

This was after our mosquito attack. Straight back into the car and an awkward feed and diaper change trying to keep all doors closed.

Headed into the Greeley Stampede.

The boys loved being able to get into the different cars and trucks they had on display.

Camden lives for school buses.

Try to spot Westin.

Yes, he did get that t-shirt and those shades for free from the booths.

Sending cousins off to Yellowstone!

Eden Reunion & Father's Day

 A week with the Miner fam!

These weeks of being all together are such treasures. We rented a house together in Eden, UT and spent the week playing games, making yummy food, doing crosswords, playing pickleball, a lake day at Pine View Reservoir, the Paper Airplane trail hike, ping pong and blink tournaments, taking family pictures, lots of hanging out and just feeling so happy to be all together!

Michael was sick during this week and it made me so sad. He started feeling sick on Sunday, took a negative Covid test so we went forward with plans Monday, but he basically had to stay in bed for three days. I'm still sad about it, I felt so bad for him. Time with family is just the best thing and he got ripped off of the week. But he started to feel a little better later in the week in time for our lake day.

Our day at Pineview Reservoir on Thursday was so fun. We rented some jet skis and paddleboards and everyone was just having a blast all day. I will always crack up thinking about riding on the back of the jet ski with Ali and feeling like she was so out of control, then switching places and hearing her laugh and scream exactly the same way I had been because she was feeling like I was so out of control.

Thursday night we went to Ali's house and she and I went out to see Singin' in the Rain at the Hale Theater. I hadn't been to their new theater and it was so nice! They did such a great job on the show. My friend from Imagine Learning was playing the main role and it was so fun to see her. People are so talented!

Friday we visited Bro. Whipple from our Jerusalem Center time and Bro. and Sis. Farnsworth, Michael's mission presidents. We ate lunch at the Creamery and then headed to Woodland Hills to stay a night with Michael's sweet grandma. She had fun showing the boys her heart rock collection and they love finding bugs all around her house. We saw some deer from her window and they were super excited about that.

Saturday we drove down to Deseret where we had a reunion with my mom's family. I haven't been there in a long time, and those people are just so wonderful. I really loved my trips to my grandma's house growing up. So many mission farewells for cousins and fun trips out to the farm, nights sitting on the front porch with my grandma and learning to drive on those empty streets. And all those walks down to the river with cousins. I really love that place and I wish my kids could know it like I knew it.

We went to church with Ali and Matthias on Sunday where they handed out chocolate Dunford Donuts for Father's Day, just another reason I know the church is true. Logan's family came over for taco salads that night and it was fun to celebrate Father's Day together. Michael had to fly home that night but we were happy we got to spend most of Father's Day with him and that he was feeling mostly better.

I asked Westin recently what his favorite day of his life has been, and he said any family reunion/trip days. I agree!

Logan is always so helpful with babies. They miss his beard, though!

Stripes!

We were not prepared for how cold it was on our hike!
We wrapped up in all the towels and blankets in our cars :)

Found the paper airplane!

This was such a fun metal sculpture to climb on for the kids, with such a pretty view around it.

All the cute grandkids!

Grandma watching family pictures happen :)

These two feel verrrrry differently about food.

So fun to get out with Ali and see Singin' in the Rain at the Hale.

My friend Deb was Kathy Seldon and she did such a great job.

Don't Eat Pete is an entertaining game with little people.

We visited our sweet friend from Jerusalem, Bro. Whipple,
and he's so talented at making toys and other wooden creations. Even violins!

Michael sure loves this sweet couple from his time in Spain.

The boys loved finding cool bugs at Great Grandma Malin's.

Travel is the best. Travel is so hard. Sleep and babies and toddlers and driving...
It's a lot! Asher really did great.

All smiles for his Great Grandma.

She was so fun to visit.
The boys loved being there.

Super into swinging, but...

...behind on naps :)

So fun to be back in Deseret for the first time in a while for my mom's family reunion.

I forgot my Wild Bird wrap and was so sad, because I knew Asher was going to need tons of naps in it.
Kindal saved the day and let me borrow hers for the trip, and it was so appreciated!

My grandma's house. My cousin lives there now with his cute family.
It will forever be one of my favorite places in this world.
Especially that front porch.

Westin loves a good new game.

Happy Father's Day to these awesome guys!