Wilkerson Reunion

The biggest reason for the timing of our trip to Utah was to join in the festivities of a Wilkerson family reunion.  Jared comes from a big family-- 8 kids + spouses + children.  We met up in Moroni, Utah from July 3rd to the 6th to celebrate the Fourth and to reconnect as a family.  Jared's parents bought a home in Moroni shortly before leaving on their mission to Germany.  It backs up to Jared's sister's home.  Rachel and Paul and Mom and Dad opened their doors and let us crash where we could fit.

I didn't get pictures of everything, but here are some of the highlights:

Our boys LOVED watering Grandma and Grandpa's grass.

Lots of 4-wheeler rides

(mostly by other people-- Luke and Micah weren't too interested.)

Love this pic of Jessie and Joanna!

Lots of chatting!!!

Also love this picture of Edward and Ayden.

Bike riding...

Getting measured?

More watering.

What is this face?

Relaxing.

Jamming out with cousins.

Uncle Rod showing the boys what REAL men do.

Seeing family that we haven't seen in...

1 year

SIX YEARS!!!

On the morning of the Fourth we went to watch the parade.  Ashlyn performed with her dance team.

Luke liked watching the band.

During the parade our boys were sadly beaten out of a lot of candy.  Then one person walked by and dumped a big box of salt water taffy right at Luke's feet.  Theirs for the taking!  Micah took a LOT.  I'm not sure how much, but it was enough to put him into a 4 hour sugar induced coma later that afternoon.

Late that afternoon several members of Dad's family came to join in the celebrations and have dinner with us.  We were able to see Grandma Mary, Aunt Sally and Uncle Steve, Susan and Aaron (We rented their basement apt. right after we were married,) and a few other of Sally and Steve's children.  Fun to touch base with the crew again.

Late night volleyball.

A few fireworks.

The big show!

The fireworks really were amazing.  They were set off from the field directly across from Mom and Dad's house.  We had a clear view of a spectacular show.

I didn't get any pictures of Friday, but it was a special day.  One of our nephews was baptized and we got to attend.  We also had a family game night with all kinds of contests.

We had to get a picture with Grandma and Grandpa before we left on Saturday morning.  I'm not an expert on photo editing, so you get the real deal.  Dad had a bicycling accident a few days before the union, so he had some battle wounds.  Other than being tired and stiff he says that he is doing fine.

We can't wait for the next one!

Boating on Utah Lake (Oh! and a surprise)

Last week we were so happy to visit family in Utah.  Jared only has 1 week vacation, so we piled all our days into this one trip.  We rented a car, since ours aren't in the best of shape and we needed something that would make it there without problems, and drove up on the last weekend in June.  On Monday and most of Tuesday we stayed with my parents in Salem (between Spanish Fork and Payson.)

On Monday afternoon my brother-in-law James and my sister Megan took us out boating on Utah Lake.  We had so much fun!  

Micah didn't like his life vest, but he forgot all about it once the boat was moving.  He liked looking at the "crazy water" with Mima.

I was nervous about how Luke would do, but he laughed and yelled and had a ball.

James let Micah drive the boat!

Before putting the tube in the water, we had a swim break.  James drove out to the calmest water he could find and then we jumped overboard and swam around.  Luke figured out very quickly that his life vest kept his face out of the water.  Once he was confident in that he paddled all around and was very clear that he didn't want any help.  When it was time to get back on the boat, he was disappointed and kept asking when we were going to have a swim break again.

But it was time to try out the new giant tube!

Left: me; back: Jared; front: Ethan and Blake; right: Dad

Micah had a turn too.

Luke did go on a short ride, but he didn't want to stay out long.  He preferred watching the waves and swimming to getting water splashed on his face in the tube.

On Tuesday we went to a splash pad in Springville and then hung out at Megan's for a bit.  I had to nab a picture with my sister while I had the chance!  

My parents were so nice to meet up with us in Nephi at the end of the week so that we could see them one more time and say a proper good-bye before heading back to Amarillo.  I wish we could see my sister and parents more often!

Although, to be honest, we won't have to wait too long to see my parents.  We will see them again next month when they come down to help us with our move to-- 

Surprise! 

HOUSTON!!!

We had an unexpected change of plans when Jared got an opportunity to interview with a firm in Houston.  He received a great offer, and we decided to take it since this is, for me, an opportunity to move back to where I grew up.  We are super excited to move into the same neighborhood where my brother AND my cousin live and to be near family again (Jenn, Victor, Debbi, and Terry: that includes you!)

Jump and Jive

On the last week while Amber was here with us, we packed in the fun and took the boys to several places that I won't take them by myself (at least until they stop running in opposite directions!)  One of the fun places we went was to Jump and Jive-- a.k.a. "the bounce house."

The boys had so much fun jumping, climbing, and playing.  I think we were there for almost 4 hours!  And they only stopped to peak at the fans once or twice!

I had to blow this one up!

I couldn't believe that Micah made it up this rock wall!

But he did it over and over and over again!  So strong!

This one was very steep, and it must have been pretty old because the foot steps were so bent and weak that they were useless.  You had to pull yourself up by arm strength alone.  I wasn't strong enough to lug either of the boys up, but Luke managed to get himself up several times.  I was impressed!