Carvers Visit UT/Reeve & Carver Family Reunions - September 2011

We had a great big double family reunion (Carvers and Reeves) in UT on Sept. 3-10, so we had another week packed full of fun.

My whole family drove up from CA, my Uncle Mike flew in from Hawaii, my grandparents drove down from Rexburg, ID, and my Aunt Chris and her family are already in UT in American Fork. We all got together for a Carver Family dinner on Sept. 3 at our house and I didn't get many pictures so I'm glad my Aunt Chris did (thanks Aunt Chris!). A couple days later, we met at Pioneer Park in Salt Lake for a picnic and playtime for the little boys.

I love this picture of my dad with his 2 grandsons.

The 3 great grand kids on the Carver side. That's my cousin Alex in the middle with his son Craig.

Uncle Mike, Aunt Chris, Dad, Grandpa & Grandma in the front.

It may appear I only take pictures of Jaxson and Connor when they are together, but it is more difficult to get pictures of them apart! These boys are ALWAYS together when they get the chance. They really love playing together. (I have dozens more just like these.)






Play time with Uncle Brad.


Later that week my family and my grandparents drove back up to Rexburg for a couple days. We went to Bear World and the splash pad that Brad, Connor and I went to a few weeks before (so I didn't take many pictures this time around), and it was just as much fun the second time.



Down time at my grandparents' house.


TV in our hotel the first night.

Stories the second night.

On one of the last days my family was here, we did a huge Reeve reunion (my mom's side). It was (almost) all the posterity of Arthur Henry Reeve and Mary Amelia Cropper, who are my great grandparents. It was so awesome and a very spiritual experience to have all their children (my Papa Tom and his siblings), their children's children (my mom, my aunts and uncles, and extended cousins), their children's children's children (me, my sisters, my cousins, and extended 3rd generation), and their children's children's children's children (Connor and Jaxson, and extended 4th generation) all together in one room. I know that's a little confusing, but I wanted to paint the picture. Many of them I had never met or hadn't seen in a very long time. We are all the result of one couple, and it was fun to hear all our different stories and where we are in life. It's really astounding the impact 2 people can have on the world. My mom's cousin, Rex Reeve, did a presentation on the Reeve Family history - so cool - and then we ate a big potluck lunch.






I think my family left the next day for CA. What a great trip! Can't wait until they visit again!

Birthday/Anniversary Trip to Park City - September 2011

Because we were in Scofield for the Jeppson Extended Family vacation during our 6 year anniversary and my birthday was Sept. 1, we decided to go on a combined birthday/anniversary overnight trip to Park City on Sept. 1-2. Brenda and Brian were so nice to watch Connor for us overnight so we could have some time alone.

Thursday night after Brad got off work, we dropped Connor off at the Jeppsons, went to dinner at Red Lobster in Salt Lake, and then drove to Park City. The next morning our eyes popped open at 7 a.m. (we laughed at ourselves that we woke up this early with no child around to force us out of bed) and got ready for the day. We took a tour of the resort we stayed at (it was a time share presentation, which made our previous night stay FREE!) and then went to ride the Alpine slide and Alpine coaster (so fun!) before driving home. We had a great time with just the 2 of us and for very little money, which is always nice. Happy 6 years Braddy!

Jeppson GNO to Tuacahn - August 2011

August 15-16 was our annual Jeppson summer Girls Night Out overnight. As always, we headed south to Cedar City/St. George for a play. This year we decided on Tuacahn (near St. George) to see The Little Mermaid. We almost didn't get in because the tickets were sold out (we should have bought them ahead of time but we were misinformed) but we were lucky and they had a couple people who didn't show up for their reserved will-call tickets (the other party hadn't paid for them yet, that's why the box office gave them to us). I am so glad we made it in because it was so fun!

It was a fun day and a half. We went to the play, went out to dinner, swam in the hotel pool, drove by the St. George temple, chatted and just relaxed.

Flounder.

Flotsam and Jetsam.

Eric and Arial.


Connor stayed in South Jordan with his Grandpa and Uncle Jordan. They took him to Cabella's and he LOVED it.

Thanks for a fun weekend Jeppsons!

Jeppson Extended Family Vacation to Scofield Reservoir - August 2011

The next weekend after our California trip (are you noticing a trend??) was our Jeppson extended family vacation to Scofield Reservoir on August 4-6. In attendance were the Jeppson, Philips, and Webster families. While we were there, it was Brad's and my 6 year anniversary on August 5. Happy 6 years Love! (And more on that later.)

As always, we had a great time with Brad's family camping, boating, water skiing, motorcycling/4-wheeling, and playing games. Connor's favorite activity of the weekend was throwing rocks into the reservoir, which he did for several HOURS every day. I think his shoulder was sore by the end of the second day because he started saying "ow" after every throw (but still kept throwing).

Grandma Jeppson (Brad's mom) picking up handfuls of rocks for Connor to throw down the hill. I didn't ever get a picture of him by the water front, but the beaches were practically cleaned out of all quarter-sized to lime-sized rocks. No really.

Brad's Grandpa Jeppson who organizes the Scofield Trip every year. Also Master Ski-Boat-Driver.

Little Ryan and Alyssa holding Connor just before leaving the dock.


Brad cutting it up on slalom.

Me.

Brad's brother Jordan wake boarding.

Brad's sister Cami. Connor looked so cute in his life jacket.

Who doesn't need a little pampering while camping? Jen was nice enough to do all our nails one night.

Can't wait for the 2012 Scofield trip!

Carver Family Vacation - Camping in O'Neil Park, and a Baby Shower for Ady - July 2011

The next weekend after Rexburg, Brad, Connor, and I all flew down to California to visit my family for a week from July 27 - August 3. We packed a lot of fun into that week including camping for 2 days (1 night) in O'Neil Park near my parents' house, and throwing a baby shower for Ady and Baby Will.

Setting up the tents. It started raining on us the next morning and we had to pack up camp in the pouring rain. I believe that is the definition of miserable. We were soaked and cold by the time we were done. Thank goodness home was only 10 minutes away where we could all take warm showers and snuggle up to a warm fire the rest the day. That was delightful.

Connor and Jaxson always have so much fun playing together.

Exploring the wilderness with Dad/Uncle Brad.

Keeping the boys entertained with Toy Story on the iPad.


Ady's baby shower was held on July 30 outside my parents' church building. It was a beautiful day, perfect for celebrating!



Carvers.

Castletons.


Lounging, watching Tangled. It's one of Connor's favorites, and one of mine too.