Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Last But Not Least in our Utah Roundup

We took it really easy the day after the 4th what with all the late night festivities.  I guess I only even took one post-worthy photo.  Funny.  And it was even Ben's official 7 months old day.

But, here it is, in all it's glory.  The three kiddos born in 2010 playing operation together.  But I missed the really cute moments of them actually all sitting around the board playing.  I know, it's a winner of a photo.



I spent some time in the morning getting together with some of my friends from high school.  I didn't however, get in on the picture taking action.  Nicole has some posted on her blog for those that might care.  It was, however, really good to see those amazing girls.  I love seeing all their children too (well, minus Asher, missed seeing him).  Julie and Brent and family, Nicole and Brandon, Trine and Milo, and Amanda and her three cuties were all there.  It was brief, but fun catching up.  We should do an official reunion of our own sometime and really catch up!  Who's in (especially Nance and Kim since we didn't see you!  It's been forever Nancy.  Not even sure she still read this blog or not :)).

I also spent some time Friday doing some shopping (no luck finding some cute new clothes, bummed) and just relaxing.  We also played some games with Diana and Sam that night (I think) and that was a lot of fun.  Thanks again to Mom and Dad for watching Isaac and Ben sleep.  Glad they didn't give them any trouble.

The next day we tried to wake up and go see the hot air balloons.  We made it there a little late and just in time to see everyone walking away from the field as we were walking to it.  It was cancelled due to weather.  I'm pretty sure the balloons only actually went up one of the days.  Bummer.

It was also the big Lawrence reunion that day.  And I again, didn't take any pictures.  But I know Heidi has some good ones on her blog.  It was fun to see all the cousins and their children.  Everyone is getting so old (I meant the kids when I typed that but I guess we cousins are getting old too, and maybe are parents).  I especially liked seeing my mom sit for a photo with all her siblings.  Willingly.  No smiling from her (apparently Lawrences don't smile) but willing just the same.  Check out Heidi's blog.  It's a good photo.

On the way home Jacob and I stopped by the Oquirrh Mountain temple.  Neither of us had seen it before and Isaac rarely sees temples since the nearest is in Denver.  It's a beautiful, TALL temple.

 
 
 
 

I love these photos.

We have a picture of Isaac just about this age touching a temple for the very first time (Salt Lake temple in his case) and I framed it along side a photo of the Salt Lake temple.  I intend to do the same with his photo of Ben.  There is a President Monson quote that says something about if you touch the temple the temple will touch you.  I'll find it...just a second...here.

Even our young children have been encouraged to visit the temple grounds and touch the temple.  President Thomas S. Monson once counseled, “As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us.” 
And here's the reference

A quote of a quote, but there you go.

Anyway, love that quote, love the pictures.  I think Isaac really liked seeing the temple that close.  We need to make it down to Denver more often.  It's so hard with little kids.  Ah, we just need the temple down the street to be built.  Good news, the groundbreaking is scheduled for middle of August!

And then, later that night, many of us went out to dinner.  It was a big group with lots of little kids.  Bless those servers.
 

The pictures with the flash make it hard to see those in the distance and the pictures without the flash are just blurry.  sorry.  The food was good though!

And then it was our last day in Utah.  Sunday.  I was tyring to get Jacob to take a picture of just me and my new niece, but all these little blondies weren't having it.  It was awesome!
 
 
 

I love Emily in this last one.  I think she was imitating what Jacob was doing to try and get every one's attention.  Funny.

And one last attempt at a cousin photo.  Pretty well the same results as before.  And we were missing Logan anyway.  Cute cousins!
 

Just look at that adorable Maelie.  Coming home I was really sad to be leaving my siblings and their kids and my parents.  It was weird.  I always wonder when I'll see them again and how much they will all have changed.  Josh and Matt are so grown up.  Total teenage boys.  I have to stop thinking of them as the little kids they were.  And Megan was changed too.  She is a lot more mature and so helpful with all the little ones.  It was just fun seeing everyone!

And I miss being close to my parents.  Dad is retiring soon and that is just plain weird.
 

Cute grumpy faced Maelie.  She'll be so big next time I see her I'm sure.

Thanks to you all for such a fun visit. Thanks to mom for putting up with us and feeding us and cleaning up after us.  We love you all!

3 comments:

Amanda, Curtis, Ellis, Hugh, Rhys, Graham, Sylvia said...

Sandy, it sounds like you had a really worthwhile time. I'm glad I got to be a part of it, even if just a small part. Your nieces and nephews are darling and all of those pictures will be even more precious as time goes on.

I'm glad you got to take a little trip to the temple grounds and I wish for you that you had been able to find some cute clothes. Shopping can be such a pain, but finding cute clothes is always nice. I wish you luck in that search!

MaryAnn said...

You need to come out for Thanksgiving - that will be the next big gathering and it is just a few months away! It was good to see you!

Mary Ann said...

Lots of great pictures! I too hope you'll come out for Thanksgiving. The cousins are all so cute together!