Utah

We just got back from a family reunion in Utah.  Actually we had more going on than a family reunion.  We also had a birthday party for my father-in-law, two baby blessings and a fun trip to see friends.  Where to begin, this gets really overwhelming for me when I am so far behind on blogging.  First of all I do not really look forward to traveling with kids.  Especially my children. They do not travel well and that makes it hard for me to relax.  But nonetheless, we made it and we survived! 
We arrived about 2 am Saturday morning.  Lance had a baseball game that he was so determined to play in on Friday night that started at 7 pm.  So we stayed behind to cheer him on to a win.  The boys had a great time and it was nice to sit and chat with friends.  While we were getting the boys all cleaned up and in their pajamas, Andrew's fingers decided to get slammed in the door of the car, thus smashing all 4 of his fingers. We thought for sure we were going to have a take him to the hospital but in time they got better and he was back up playing around.
Saturday the boys all got up and went out for a fun afternoon planned full of activities for the boys to celebrate dad's birtday.  They had a great time, meanwhile, we (the wives, sisters, and daughters) had manicures and pedicures and ate cinnamon rolls like crazy.  It was nice to be with all of you by the way. I have some amazing sisters-in-law.  Not many can say that but I say it proudly.
Then on Sunday we blessed two of my neices and nephews who were recently born. Brantly Snyder , who lives with us was blessed and also my new niece Janea Elyse was blessed also.

Lance's younger brother John, their son Brantly and wife Carrie.

 I am so sad I don't have a picture of her in her amazing blessing gown.  This gown isn't just any gown either.  This gown was made when my sister-in-law Lesa was born.  Her mother made it and she wore it and then every one of their 4 girls have worn it on their blessing day.  It is absolutely the most beautiful blessing dress I have ever seen.  She looked just like a doll.
Sunday night Andrew got sick and had a high fever.  Not throwing up so that was good. Just really tired and lethargic.  So he slept a lot and then next morning he was ok and then on Tuesday he was sicker than sick.
Then on Mon. came the Ray Family Reunion-
This isn't just any family reunion either.  When the Ray family gets together it is so thoughtfully planned out it is scary.  Let me set a picture for you.  Lance's mother comes from a family of 11 kids.  Each one of those 10 that are still living have had 10+ kids and that makes for a large family.  So on his mom side there are over 100 first cousins and just so you can understand how large they are, Owen, our third child was the 150 great grand child.  Isn't that amazing? I think so,  and the most stunning thing about this family is the legacy that the grandparents have set for each one of them. Each one of us I should say.
We went to Hanna Springs Resort in Hanna, Utah.  We had a good time.  Lance's parents were so generous to let our family have the cabin to sleep in. Which, by the way no one slept. We were all awake trying to help children sleep.
Then Tuesday Great Grandpa Ray's 90th birthday party.  This isn't just some old feeble 90 year old man.  This man in unbelievable. He still drives multiple times a year back and forth between Idaho and Arizona, he works hard and is a fully active member of his ward.  He is an amazing man! I have learned so much from him and he just makes you feel good no matter what. I just love being around him. I have never seen or heard anything negative come from that man.  He is inspiring.
Andrew was still sick and I could tell that he was still out of it.  He kept throwing up and he couldn't keep anything down.  So we headed back down to our cabin and Lance and his father gave him a blessing. I was crossing my fingers that he would get better and it literally happened right before our eyes. He kept his breakfast down and he didn't throw up any more after that and his fever was gone. The Priesthood is real. I know that for a fact. What a blessing it is to have faithful and worthy priesthood holders around to bless my children.

The boys had fun playing games with all the little cousins. There were different booths for the kids to be entertained. I wish I had my camera but it was so hard to carry it all around with me.  Tuesday was full of paddle boat rides on the lake, slingshots that grandpa made, and skipping rocks in the river, bull frog catching and just plain old getting dirty and muddy.  Andrew and Keaton had the time of their lives.  They were off running around with cousins and 100 other different family members.  It was fun just to watch them have fun.

We decided to head home back to Provo on Tuesday night after dinner.  My boys inherited the gene of gettting car sick and pucked all over themselves, their blankets and the car.  We had to go back and do some laundry and clean out the car before the long trek back to Boise.  That is when Owen came down with the same thing Andrew had. It was no fun but I am happy to report now that we are back home and loving sleeping in our own beds. I love routine. I love that my kids love routine and that life is back to normal.
No more traveling for a long time for us.