Wyoming: Whitewater and a reunion.

I have so much to catch up on! In just over a month's time, we have been in 23 states and traveled well over 6000 miles. This {post} is just the beginning.

July 26-27
Call Family Reunion

I was excited to find out my sister Jill and her family were coming to the reunion, and thrilled when she asked if we wanted to meet them earlier in the day Friday to do some white-water rafting -- a bucket list item for me. We ended up making the drive to Jackson Hole on Thursday (25th), stayed the night in the lovely Ranch Inn (think double bed with Bill, Mar, AND myself cozied up together haha). Stan and Jill had given the hotel and rafting trip to my parents for their birthday gifts, so we bummed the extra bed in their room {cheesy smile}. The tight, cold night (I was on the itty bitty edge of the bed by the air conditioner) was totally worth it, and definitely a memory not soon to be forgotten.

We were in a boat with a couple from London, and a pair of doctors from Ethiopia.

We had a great guide (I can't remember his name), and initially I was in the rear left, second row from the back.

I was persuaded to take the position at the front of the boat -- the non-paddling prime view spot. I wish I could remember what our guide called it, but obviously my memory following a crazy month+ is lacking vigor. Whatever that lucky spot in the boat is called, I figured I may as well try it out.

Then we hit our first rapids haha. After a mouth and nose-full of the Snake River, I returned to my original position. Mauri nabbed the front.

It was a blast, and I will totally do it again.

And the Snake River and Grand Tetons are gorgeous.

We love going anywhere with the Feils because they always know the best places to eat. We went to a BBQ place for lunch, and it did NOT disappoint.

That's a loaded order of fries, btw.

So. Yummy.

After lunch we headed to Afton for the reunion. It was quite nice that mi mamita was not in charge this year... because we didn't have a boatload of assignments (until lunch duty on Saturday).

I was so happy that Britt, Scar-Scar (Ellis' nickname for Wonderful Sweet Scarlett), and Ellis AND Shi and Kody came. I love my peeps!

Since it was just an overnighter, and since hotel prices were through the roof in Afton for late-bookers {=us}, we chose to join the tent city in the yard. Mi mamita had a key to the house, so we had access to the bathrooms, which is always a blessing.

On Friday night, Mar performed in the talent show and did a great job.

After breakfast on Saturday, Bill & Mar took Scarlett and Ellis around to the activities,

...while the rest of us started to get our junk together for lunch. Mi mamita had really liked what we did for Mar's grad party (nacho bar + specialty sodas, to refresh your memory), so she had decided to do that for the reunion lunch. 250ish people. We have a whole lot o' relatives.

My niece Meredith's baby {Francis} is seriously the best baby I've ever seen. She is mellow and calm, and will go to anyone. Francis-the-perfect-baby SLEPT through the lunch service, allowing Meredith to help at the soda station.

It was a great time with great people and great food.

I snapped a quick pic of mi mamita with a few of her sisters (missing 2).

We drove back to Utah for a night to spend a little more time with our fam, then headed to CO the next morning. On our way home we took the scenic route because the Google gods told us it was quicker. If you have ever traveled on I-70 eastbound towards Denver on a Sunday afternoon, you know that you can easily add an extra hour+ to your drive. 

So. Much. Traffic.

We went over Loveland Pass... a first for us.

It was beautiful. In the end, we're not sure it saved us that much time, but it was a lovely drive.

To keep track, on this quick trip we were in WY, ID, and UT.

Fort Collins Temple Trip.

Friday, July 19

Mauri went through the temple for the first time.

We were so happy to find out that there have been some adjustments to the policy on when young adults can take this important step, and Mar was totally ready. Bill and I had gone through all the temple prep lessons with her, and she was anxious and excited to get to the temple ASAP. We talked about the possibility of going to UT, so grandparents and sisters could be there, but Mar had a desire to keep things simple. We invited Tay and Nae to come with us (Nae couldn't make it because they couldn't find anyone to watch V). The Denver Temple is closed for an extended period (Bill is taking the opportunity to grow a beard, per my request), so we made the lengthy drive (on a Friday during rush hour) to the Fort Collins Temple. We had attended the open house (reminder here) a few years back, so Mar thought it was the perfect choice.

The temple workers were so sweet, and it was a fantastic experience for all of us.

It was late, and we were hungry, so we located the nearest Red Robin for some dinner.

It was a lovely evening with our oldest, and our youngest.

We are excited for future opportunities to attend with grandparents and other sibs. We have been working diligently to get Mar's mission papers ready - she can submit them Sept 10. We have some REALLY FUN events upcoming that will keep us traveling for a few weeks, so we want to have everything in order before we take off. When we get back, Mar will meet with our Stake President, then {hopefully} her papers will be submitted on the 10th, and a call not far behind.

Up next: Jackson Hole & the Call Family Reunion