Family Reunion 2013

I always look forward to the end of June and the beginning of July as it's family reunion/town celebration time.  I'm not always able to be home for all of it, but this past year I was home for most of it.  The best part is being with family.  This particular year a lot of the extended family came into town, so we had even more fun, especially because of the little babies.  Bryan and Chelsey were kind enough to let me bring Hayden and Hannah over to Lovell early to enjoy some of Lovell's Days, particularly the parade.  They absolutely LOVE the parade.  This was also their first time staying at the house with Papa Ed there.  They are huge fans of Papa Ed.  They snuggled right up to him the moment he got home every night from work.  I didn't mind too much by that point in the day.  I was usually ready for the break.  We'd sit outside every night on the back porch and listen to the wind (it was weird weather for June/July).  It was a pretty nice break.

One day, Mike put on some music over the house speakers and Grandma decided to dance with the kiddos.  They loved it.  I'm pretty sure Grandma did, too.  What's even more impressive was she let us take pictures.  What's even more impressive than that was that this was on a Sunday and the music was NOT Sunday related.  Yes, her children are a bad influence on her.  ;)

Hayden, Hannah, Whitney, Bekah, and Grandma

Ashlie, Bryce, and their small family stayed with us, too.  Their son Henry was born just a few weeks before that.  The little girls loved taking turns holding him.  He was so good to let them.

Whitney and Henry

Hannah and Henry

Sariah, Ethan, Hayden, Bekah

As we do every 4th of July, we had a big family dinner.  We usually do it at Janet's house, but this year it rained.  And when I say it rained, it POURED!  It was a torrential downpour for hours.  The streets were flooding it was so bad.  Good thing we know someone (Ed) who has keys to the community center.  We quickly passed the word via phone and text that the party was moving there.  I felt so bad because Janet had spent so much time setting up games and getting things ready in her yard.  Frustrating for her!  We still had a good time, though.  We had half the room for eating and half for the kids to run around in.  We had the regular pinatas for the kiddos, which they truly enjoy every year.  I'm honestly surprised no one has gotten hurt over the years with how hard some of them swing the stick/bat.  This year someone broke it, but no one got hurt.

Me with Great Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Gilbert

Rylee and Karren

All of us

At one point, Mike took us out on his boat.  It's always a good time.  The kids love watching the adults (guys) do crazy things.  Mike and Bryan are always up for entertaining us.

Heidi Boo

Chelsey, Heidi, Hannah, Hayden

Tan Whitty-Bug

Weston

Whitney pretending to ski

Weston being a goof

Another wedding

In June I had the opportunity to attend my cousin Karren's wedding to Scotty.  A couple of days before they were married, Karren went through the temple to receive her own endowment and I was able to attend her session.  It was full of family.  They both come from very large families.  It was a neat experience to see such a special person make sacred covenants.  It was also great to spend time with family.  I was able to have some girl time with Karren, Linda, and Nina on the way up to the temple for her endowment.  On the way back, I rode with Uncle Richard, which was some great uncle time.  On the day of the wedding, Mom and Ed worked at the temple after the sealing, so I got to ride home with Auntie Juanita.  I love some quality one-on-one time with family.  Here are a few pictures to commemorate.

Me and my Sethy

Sorry this is sideways.  She was just too adorable!  I couldn't get her to smile for me, though.

The happy couple.

Mark and Riley Roo

Jay was so cute at the reception.  He got up and sang a song all by himself.  Such a courageous cutie!  It was absolutely adorable.  Not a dry eye in the room.

A wedding

My mom and Ed Allred got married March 29, 2013.  It was a quick courtship and took everyone, including them, by surprise.  It was fun to get calls from my twitterpated mom.  Her giggles were contagious.  Everyone kept asking how I felt about everything.  Honestly, I wasn't okay with it at first, but because Ed is such a great guy and I knew he would treat my mom well, I became okay with it.  Everything was weird, the wedding, and everything.  Not so much anymore.

The wedding was a wonderful occasion.  Lots of family came into town for it.  Most of that family stayed at the house.  My mom and Ed were MIA most of the time.  Their excuse was to go out to his house to 'feed the dogs' but would be gone for hours at a time.  I became the hostess at the house, feeding the masses.  And there were plenty to be fed.  Needless to say, it wasn't a relaxing weekend for me.  But it was great to see so much family for such a happy occasion.

Aunt Laretta and Uncle Richard

B-ry and Aunt Susan

Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Gilbert

The girlies

Ed and Mommy

Steve and Kate

Bryan, Chels, and the H's

With Sariah, Ethan, and Bekah

Erik, Sandy, Sariah, Ethan, and Bekah

Mike, Nicole, Wilson, Weston, & Whitney

With all the kiddos.  There were a couple who didn't want to be there.  It had been a long weekend.

All of us

Kirk and I

Kannon, Seth, kristin, Mom, Ed, Calli, Kaydree, & Kennadee

These are some bells that Grandma Mayes made when I was in high school.  I saw them and said how pretty they were and that they would look great on a wedding cake.  She gave them to me for my next birthday.  Since I haven't had the chance to use them, Mom used them on her cake.

Auntie Juanita made the cake.  The doll was one the Grandma Mayes made, too.

Susan and Erik helping make the relish trays.

Me with the kiddos.

Hate

to hate: to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward; detest (dictionary.com)

Hate has been on my mind a lot recently.  I think it's because it's been thrown around in the social world so much.  'Haters will hate.'  'Stop the hatred.'  There are few things that I truly hate: spiders, snakes, confrontation.

It's frustrating because my beliefs have been called hateful.  For example, I believe marriage should be between a man and woman.  For those who believe in gay marriage, they don't hate heterosexual married individuals (usually).  Why is it that because I believe in traditional marriage that makes me a hater?  Not true.  I am pro-life.  This doesn't mean that I hate individuals who choose to have abortions.  I also believe that we are entitled (yes, entitled) to our own beliefs and we should accept everyone, no matter their beliefs. That does not mean that I want to join in the behaviors that I don't believe in, but just because someone believes differently than me that doesn't give me a reason to hate them or degrade them because of those differences.  I feel I work hard to accept people and treat them with compassion, no matter who they are.  I wish everyone could feel the same.

Christmas 2012

I always enjoy being with my family.  Christmas was a great time.  Christmas Eve we always get together for dinner and then have a fish pond.  Mike and Nicole have graciously hosted the past few years.  The Parks have become regulars.  Here are a few highlights of the time I spent at home.

 Silly Wilson being Santa

 Santa came to visit us on Christmas eve and brought some stuffed animals for all the kiddos.

We got another visit from Santa (Uncle Lloyd) one night before Christmas.  

 I think he's one of my favorite Santas.

 Bekah helping to cook breakfast on Sariah's birthday, which is Christmas Eve.  We usually get together in the morning for her birthday so it's separate from our traditions that night.

 Sariah making breakfast on her 11th birthday.

Sariah wearing Kletey's hat on Christmas morning.

 Ethan enjoying his new truck.

 Kirk being happy watching the chaos.

Whit on her pogo stick.

Whit spent the night between Christmas and New Year's.  She decided to play dress up from Grandma's closet.  Such a cute girl.