Aug 12-16
Park City Family Reunion
We loaded up our car with a whole lot of stuff, and headed off to UT for our family reunion. I love getting together with my whole family {minus Mar Mar... but missions are worth missing for}. These are my happiest times.
Cousin time is the best. It's so fun to observe the dynamics as they all reunite.
Each of the families were responsible for a dinner, and Bill and I did breakfasts and lunches. It worked out so great, and of course we had TONS of leftover food. At least no one could say they were hungry!
On Thursday we went to ride the chair lifts.
Bill and I watched Brielle, Emmett, and Nora while the rest of the fam rode the long, slow ride. **At the time we didn't realize that there were TWO lift rides. One took about an hour round trip (not counting time off the ride at the top to hike and look around), and was SHORTER, the other was quicker, higher, and faster - round trip of about 30 minutes.**
We had the littles for about 2 hours total. They were all troopers, and we managed pretty good despite the fact that it was a HOT day, and we basically just walked around following busy Emmett as he checked out every rock he could find.
After two diapers changes (unpleasant for Brielle, who did NOT want to be strapped to a changing table... and that girl is LOUD haha), Brielle finally fell asleep right before all the mamas and the papas returned.
Nobody had brought sunscreen = funny sunburns for our upcoming family pics
We got a little treat to cool off, then some of the family went back to the house (5 minutes away), and Bill, Scarlett and I, along with Shi and Kody (enjoying their last few weeks sans children), rode the quicker, faster, higher chairlift.
Since the lift passes were good all day, we sent the rest of the fam back to take the faster ride. While Bill, Tay and Evie, and the girls went back, the sons-in-law and I helped Jason get his dinner together. I had to snap a pic because it was a sweet moment (for me... not sure those boys thought much of it haha). I love that the whole family enjoys getting together.
Once the kids were tucked in bed, some of the grown ups hopped in the hot tub.
The next morning, it was the kids' turn. The hot tub wasn't very hot, so it was perfect for the kids to enjoy. A huge thank you to Little Billy for being willing to go "all in" with them!
The ladies did a little outlet shopping (the guys had done a shopping trip on Wednesday, so, you know, equal rights haha). We bought candles ;-)
That night the guys stayed up late playing games.
The next morning the girls were up bright and early to head down to Riverton for Shi's baby shower (more about that in the next post). Afterwards the Great Grands joined us for the evening. Grandma and Grandpa G showed us a new game called Canadian Salad. Google it. It's a bit crazy, and I was BY FAR the biggest loser, but it was fun.
That evening we had planned everyone's favorite activity... family pictures ;-)
It's a huge blessing to have an awesome photographer/photo editor in the family. We definitely take advantage of Austin's skills. It was a little bit harried, and most of the kids were fairly cooperative. For all the craziness, the pictures turned out amazing (I know we have Austin's editing skills to thank for that haha).
By the end, this is how things were turning out:
(Some of my favorite pictures, btw)
M is NOT a fan of family pics, but he IS a fan of hats, glow sticks, and croissants ;-)
A few kids got back in the hot tub that evening, and we enjoyed sitting around the firepit, making smores, and visiting.
Grandma and Grandpa Syddall were watching Easton and Addi, so brought them along to Park City. It was so cute to see Easton just make himself at home with everyone. Such sweet kids!
The next morning we packed up, sent Tay and Nae on their way back to CO, and headed back to the valley. These are days I live for. I am so grateful to have the privilege of being a mom and having this amazing family. I love them all so much. Trying to stay hopeful in these crazy times of a global pandemic and political unrest in my dear USA. There are more good days to come.
