Family Reunion Time

I could/should really make a book with all that we did for our two weeks in Utah and Idaho, but I really will try to just take the highlights for the purposes of this post. :) (And things are kind of out of order and crazy, but I decided 4 months later that I just needed to finish it. :) )

We had a direct flight to Utah. The kids did pretty well on the plane and my sister picked us up from the airport. We stayed there for lunch and let our children play. We're grateful Kristilyn helped us with transportation and my parents were kind enough to let us borrow their car while we stayed in Utah.

Grandpa Rogers and Lydia

Having fun building with Grandma's little Legos

 I found my old harmonica from when I was in 3rd grade and learned to play it with Mrs. Smith. After more than 20 years, I could still play Old Suzanna like it was yesterday. It's funny how we never forget certain things.

Keith carefully teaching Ethan how to play Uno. He is a great teacher!

Playing at a playground with Melody and Victoria

We visited Silver Lake with Melody's family and my parents. We all loved it! I love to be in the mountains and it was just gorgeous up there!

Jason and I were able to get out on a couple dates. One night we went to dinner at Cupbop in West Jordan and then to the play Newsies. It was really well done. They had some technical difficulties right at the beginning in their new Sandy building with the new stage. It wasn't going up and down properly so after the first 5 minutes they had to stop the show for about 20 minutes until they could call someone to help them fix the problem. Fortunately they were able to continue and didn't have to cancel the show!

Another night we went out to dinner with some of our Orem friends and saw the Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Concert in Salt Lake. The concert was good, but definitley not the best I've seen there. It was still fun to be there though and to catch up with friends.

Sunday afternoon walk around the neighborhood

I took the kids with Keith's family to hike Donut Falls one morning. We were surprised to run into the Eliasons as we headed to Donut Falls one morning. They had camped in the Spruces that weekend and we just happened to pass each other at the right time on the trail. So random and so fun!

Playing "Gotcha" with Grandpa

Lydia at Silver Lake

Ethan at Silver Lake

I love this picture of these cute cousins enjoying popsicles outside.

Grandpa gave everyone something to open for Ethan's birthday. :)

We visited a Lego exhibit at some beautiful gardens in the foothills of Salt Lake

Hanging out with Kira after we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Keith's home

My high-school friend Marilee treated us to a visit at the Dinosaur museum complete with ice cream afterwards. We had a fun time catching up.

An awesome get-together with the Burningham sister-in-laws

A fun afternoon with the younger Burningham cousins at Sally's house. They have an amazing view from their pool!

One of Lydia's funny faces as she picks out the marshmellows from her Lucky Charms

We got together in Draper at a water playground with my friend Erica and her kids, too bad this is the only picture I took.

A picture of Jason and I in my parents backyard

July in Kentucky

We spent the first half of July in Kentucky. We haven't been here for the 4th of July for a couple of years so it was fun to go back to Coney Island with our friends, listen to the Cincinati Orchestra perform some of my favorite music and see a fantastic fireworks show. This was Ethan's first big fireworks show since he can remember and he LOVED it. He was dancing all over the place to the music and never took his eyes off the sky. On our way home he said, "Mom, can we do this again next year?" I hope so!! Unfortunately Lydia picked up a stomach bug on the plane home from Utah and was too sick to go with us. Jason stayed home with her while Ethan and I celebrated. It was so, so, so hot at Coney Island, but it felt a lot better after the sun went down. It's a good thing Lydia didn't know what she was missing out on!

Ethan and Gavin on the bumper cars

Ethan, Gavin, and Calvin on the swinging ship

Watching the concert and fireworks with the Huxels

 We also found time for biking, birthday parties, swimming, and hair cuts before we got back on another plane headed to Utah.

Getting ready to ride on the sidewalks in front of our house

Ethan sporting his BYU hat

Olivia's dinosaur birthday. They poured salt on frozen eggs that contained little plastic dinosaurs. They tried to "hatch" their eggs. They also found dinosaur bones in the sandbox, played a bean bag toss, ate hot dogs and cake, and broke a pinata.

Obviously they didn't know Ethan's strength and ability. He was third in line and just broke that pinata right open with his mighty swings before a lot of the kids had a chance to try. Fortunately the other kids saw the candy on the ground and didn't care anymore. :)

Doing a little sun bathing

Lydia did great for her hair cut. Her hair is growing so fast! We just trimmed it up for pictures.  Before picture

After picture

June Catch-up

In June we played outside as much as we could. And since it almost seems like ancient history a few months later, here are a few pictures that were supposedly taken during that month. :)

Ethan and Lydia like to ride whatever they can up and down the sidewalk in front of our house.

Family trip to the tree swing near our house

Trip to the Mall Playplace

Running through and drinking from the sprinklers. :)

This is a Mom's Club play date at someone's house. I go to activities with these ladies almost weekly, but for some reason I never take pictures.

Popsicles on the porch, a favorite activity of Ethan and Lydia

Father's Day 2018

Happy Father's Day kiss :)

Soon after Father's Day we lost a very dedicated grandfather. Jason's grandpa passed away from pancreatic cancer. He only lived about a month after he was diagnosed. He lived a long, healthy, good life and we were blessed to be able to fly to Utah for the weekend to attend the funeral and other family events. We enjoyed time spent with my parents and Jason's family, almost all of whom were in Utah for the funeral.

Lydia and Grandpa Rogers

Ethan 4 1/2 years old

Lydia 2 years old

Lydia loves watching videos of Ethan and herself even more than watching TV shows.

Reading with Grandma Rogers

We squeezed in a visit to Temple Square with our kids. We were married in the temple here 10 years ago!

Visit to Temple Square in Salt Lake City

Grandma took Ethan and Lydia to the Family History Museum to play.

Ethan got to spend the afternoon at Grandma's and Grandpa's with his cousins. I'm pretty sure Lydia was napping.

John, Lillian, and Ethan

Friday night we attended the viewing. Our family arrived a few minutes early and were surprised when we entered the main room to be able to briefly meet and shake hands with President Russell M. Nelson, our prophet, who was there to express his condolences to the family. It was a very special few minutes! Ethan marched right up and gave him a high five before he even realized who he was. Lydia was a little more shy in my arms. But such a neat experience, one that I won't forget!

Lydia on the night she met President Nelson!

The funeral was lovely and very well done. Many good memories were shared and we all had the chance to honor the life of a good and faithful father, grandfather, and servant of Jesus Christ.

Later in the day, we had an extended family get together at Jason's brother Jeff's beautiful home. I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that everyone had fun and no one wanted to leave!

Ethan trying out the indoor basketball court with his cousins

While in Utah, we were able to stay a couple nights with Jason's brother Steve as well. They were great hosts. We attended church with them, ate yummy food together, let the cousins play, and we had the evenings when the kids were in bed to just talk. We are so blessed with great family!!

Lydia making herself at home with Brook on their triple bunk bed.

Impressing Grandma with their tricks on the trampoline. :)

We're so grateful we got in this quick trip to Utah. Ethan and Lydia were kind of sick, and we had our challenges, but we loved spending time with family!!