Family Reunion - Day 1

We left home at about 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, headed for the airport and Las Vegas for our annual trip west. We usually leave as soon as school gets out, but this year my parents aren't in  Utah so we waited to fly out until it was time for the family reunion. We only got bumped once - in Chicago - which isn't too bad and we made it to Las Vegas in the early afternoon. 

Jalen actually had a great time getting bumped.

We spent Tuesday night at my sisters. There is nothing Baylie likes better than spending time with her twin cousins - Lauryn and Clara.

Lauryn is quite the little chef and made us breakfast.

Then the girls decided to do cupcake wars, but we had a bit of a disaster. Baylie put a pan on the gas stove and it EXPLODED. I wish I had taken a picture before my sister got most of the glass swept up because there was glass everywhere.

This is after we wiped up the chocolate.

This is chocolate sucked up by the wet vac (floor, stove and counter).

This is Baylie covered with chocolate. The photo doesn't do it justice.

#nailed it

That afternoon we headed for the reunion in Hurricane, Utah, just outside of Zion's. We are staying in an amazing house that fits our whole family, has three master suites, a pool, an indoor basketball court, a separate wing for the teenagers, a children's room with enough beds for at least 9 kids, plus some additional bedrooms. It is an amazing place.

Simon (grand nephew) and Uncle Riley (nephew)

Ashley, Clark and Scotty (niece and brothers)

The pool has this fantastic waterfall and slide. That's where the kids have spent almost all of their time.

Will and Tyler (grand nephew and nephew-in-law)

Jonny (nephew)

Nixon, Clara, Baylie and Ava (nephew & nieces) 

(Rowan - the youngest of the second generation) 

Lily, Baylie, Nixon, Ava, Lauryn, Jonny 

Cool Dudes 

Rowan & Lauryn 

Jonny, Clara, Baylie, Nixon, Lily, Ava 

Toe Touches (there was a major toe touching and other jumping moves competition)

Can  you tell she's a dancer? 

I got my sister this awesome giraffe outfit for Christmas. Isn't she awesome?! (BTW - she's almost 6 feet tall.) 

16th Anniversary and Father's Day

This week was a double whammy for our family. Friday was mine and David's 16th wedding anniversary and today was Father's Day.

For our anniversary, we decided to celebrate with the kids and go to "The Big Mo", a drive inn about 45 minutes away in Monetta, South Carolina. Monetta is a tiny town - very country - with less than 300 inhabitants. But their drive in is one of only four in South Carolina. 

We went to see Incredibles 2, which I slept through, and Avengers: Infinity War. By the time we got home it was 2:00 a.m!

I had planned to wake up early and make David breakfast, but that didn't happen because I slept in. Whoops! The kids couldn't wait to give him their presents and cards.

Jalen gave him a helicopter drone.

 Jalen has an ear infection, hence the cotton balls.

Baylie gave him a USC basketball hoop.

And we had decided to get each other a new office chair as an anniversary/Father's Day present. Ours has been backless for several months.

I am grateful that David is such a good dad. He spends such amazing quality time with our kids and he is always conscientious about doing better to honor their feelings and help them reach their potential. I'm glad we're partners in parenthood.

Acting Camp

Baylie has always been dramatic. She has wanted to take drama for quite a while. So this year when I saw a local high school was doing an acting camp this summer, I knew I had to sign her up. Plus it was a total bargain - $50 for four full days (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.); free breakfast, lunch and a snack; plus a free t-shirt. At the end, they put on a performance. I don't know what they did all day, but they came home exhausted and had a great time. Jalen wasn't as excited about it, but he enjoyed himself.

Baylie was in a Seussical number.

 

Jalen's group did a recitation of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

Then Baylie's group did an improv where they tried to convince someone to get off a bus. 

Jalen's group did a Wizard of Oz number.

They both came out for the grand finale and took a bow.

It was kind of strange for me to be home alone. It reminded me of what it was like to be a stay at home mom. It was a great week for all of us!