Four

Dani threw a really cute dinosaur party for Tate tonight.  She made dinosaur hats and we played dino games.

We ate pizza and dino mud cups and veggies. Tatum opend presents and got some cute and fun things.

Love this little Gus.  He makes grumpy faces but is the sweetest guy.

After dinner the boys played football.  Val and I lay on the grass and watched them.

Timpanogos Temple

 This morning was a very special one. Jenna went to the temple for the first time. There is nothing that compares with going to the temple with one of your children. Truly parents have no greater joy than to hear that their children walk in truth.

I was really happy to have two of my sisters there. Two of my daughters. My sweet husband. And some of Jenna's new family as well.

After Jenna and Clayton, Scott and Kathy, and Rob and I went out to lunch. They are super nice and I'm excited that Jenna will  be part of such a wonderful family. Clayton is getting a pretty good family too :)

Monday

We have a list of things to do.  Clayton is very organized, he helped us make a schedule and today was marathon shopping day.

First off Rob and Greg went fishing.  They've been looking forward to going fly fishing together and got to spend the day on the river, caught some fish, had a good time.

In the morning I got Jo and Lu and we went to pick up Jen and headed to the mall.  Our first mission: wedding shoes.  The girls were so cute and tried on stuff everywhere we went.  We had success and were getting stuff knocked off our list in quick order.  At noon we were to meet Val at 7 Peaks.  She was taking all the kids swimming.  As we were walking out Jordyn realized that she put her ipod down.  We raced around to all the places we had been and finally one shop keeper said someone had taken it to customer service, sadly when we got there that was not the case and we had a very sad 11 year old on our hands.  I felt terrible.

We left the mall with heavy hearts, bought the two girls lunch and dropped them off for a fun day at the water park.
Jenna and I continued on our way.  We went to Zupas!, then got everything we needed for a wonderful temple day, continued with our list, went back and picked up Kenz from 7 Peaks and took her to dance so that Val could stay with the kids for more fun in the sun.
Shopped some more.
We got everything on our Monday list done.  It took all day and we had a great time talking and being together.

Important side note the kids had a blast and wish they could go to 7 peaks every day and at almost 9pm I got a call from the mall that someone had turned in Jo's iPod!!

Then it was Bridal Shower time!!!  Kathy and Whitney and Becky (Jenna's new MIL and SIL's) threw such a fun shower.  It was at Kathy's home and everything was just lovely.

Mostly it was family, cousins and aunts and sisters.  We gave Jenna advice, watched a cute video Q&A and Jenny (Clayton's other sister) put together, ate some very tasty food and watched Jenna open gifts.

We got home lateish and Anna and her boys were waiting!! Yay!! Deo is a doll and I am so happy to see her and everyone! So amazing!   We sat around talking for a long time.  This is the only picture I thought to take (LOL) Clayton, Ethan and Joneaux playing some game together.

It was a packed busy day filled with lots of fun, some to be expected wedding drama but whateveh and best of all familia!!

the best Sunday

Tonight we got together at Val's house for family dinner.  Something that should be a regular occurrence, but for us isn't so we have to appreciate it all the more.

Tatum and Tal are good friends.  These two had a great time dancing together and dressing up.  They were so adorable!!!

Uncle Michael and Hannah and Mackenzie.

The kids ate outside on the trampoline.  Val and I were bringing them drinks and she said "who thinks the U's should move to Utah?"  It was unanimously agreed upon.  Again we will just have to enjoy this time that we have.

Today is Tate's birthday.  We celebrated this morning with birthday breakfast and tonight with special cake.  Her party is on Tuesday.  She is a loved little lady!

Grace took a turn feeding the newest cousin Noah.  Everyone passed him around and could not get enough of that sweet little guy!

The men and kids played some games on the grass, and jumped on the trampoline.

The women sat around and talked!  Andrea and Dani, who have been friends their whole lives holding each others babies. (pictured below)

We had such a fun evening.  Michael and JaNee, Andrea and Yoho & Reggie and Noah, Jose & Emily and Tal and Jakob, Jenna & Clayton, Dani & Greg and Tate and Penny, Val & Ryan and Tanner, Mackenzie, Spencer and Jordyn and us were there.  We made extreme nachos and brownies and water melon and birthday cake.  We watched the kids play and we loved being together.

Tonight we brought Jo and Grace home and they have been laughing and playing games since we got home while Val kept the other kids.  There is nothing more special than a cousin sleep over.

Other fun things today, going to Sacrament meeting and the other meetings and sitting with all my children (minus Sierra) and going to RS and Sunday School with them.  So special and sweet.

Going to see Clayna's new apartment.  Tiny and cute! perfect for newly weds.  Driving by Dani and Greg's new home.  They will be moving in a few weeks.

This is what a Sunday should be like.  Church, games, dinner with family.  Perfect.

Games

Coming to Utah is a lot like visiting a foreign country.  It's always so strange to be around so many Mormons.  Good, but strange. The children had not been here in many years and they were amazed by the temples dotting the land and the many ward and stake building we drove by.  Going to church they could not believe that people lived close enough to walk to church and were insistent that we joined the happy throng and walk home.

After lunch we played games.  Greg and Ethan played Risk.

The girls played Phase 10

Tatum, who celebrated her 4th birthday today!, got some play-doh so they also spent a long time playing with that. It was a fun afternoon.

Jo and Grace played many games at their sleep over, it was fun to hear them laughing and talking.

Travel

Traveled today. We all survived...barely.

last day

Last day of Maryland fun for our little grands and D & S.  It's gone by too quickly, as always.  Luckily this time the fun will just fly across the country and start back up again in Utah.  We all leave tomorrow and will have another week together to enjoy each others company and also to get Jenna and Clayton hitched!

Grandpa took the girls fishing today.  Tate caught a blue gill.  She was the first fisherman to land one on this trip!

Sierra and Dani and Penny and I waited on the dock to greet the fishermen.  This was the only picture I could get of Sierra, silly girl.

This afternoon we ate crabs.  Yummy!