2011 Family Reunion

We just had our 2011 family reunion (on David's side) and it was so much fun! I wasn't able to go to the last reunion because of regionals, but this year I was able to go and I'm so glad I did. I love all my family and am so thankful to have married into such an amazing family. We went to Utah where all of David's Aunts and Uncle live. It was a nice break in the weather. Our main "meeting" place was at Brett's house....where it was absolutely gorgeous.
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Here is Quincy, Navy and Kylee waiting their turn to ride Uncle Brett's horse!

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Finally their turn!!

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Kylee always wanted to hold baby Quincy. Hopefully she can hold her own baby brother or sister soon!

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The first day we were there we all went on a hike. Sydney, Meg and Madeline are such happer hikers!

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At the end of the hike was a waterfall. It was icy cold water from the melting snow-capped mountains. It was tucked in a little cave area. Here is Kylee walking towards the waterfall.

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The water was FREEZING and I could hardly handle it!

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We were all troopers and walked to through the cold water to the waterfall. But we didn't go through!!

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However, these crazy girls (Syd and Madge) did go through. They went through first and others followed after.

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Including Kylee! My brave little girl!!!

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Drying off on our hot car!

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The whole crazy gang that went on the hike!!

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Next we went ice blocking down a huge grassy hill. The kids all loved it!

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The next day was the reunion. It was at Aunt Jerelyn and Uncle Tom's Sandhill. The view was gorgeous!

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All the siblings starting off the program with a tradition fun song about the family. They are so much fun!

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Next was the talent show. Some of the girls singing "Mean" by Taylor Swift.

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No party is complete without a pinata!

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David wearing part of the pinata as a hat.

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Uncle Brett roping a baby calf so that Uncle Tom and his sons could brand and tag it. It was cool to see! The Momma cow in the back was mooing aggressively at the boys as if to say "leave my baby alone"! It was sad, but cool to experience!

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Kylee watching on Chad's knee! She met and made a lot of new friends on this trip. So glad she is able to get to know her extended family.

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Water balloon toss!!! Navy and Kylee never moved past this point. It was funny!

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Sparklers later that night. Kylee was a little concerned at first that it was going to burn her hand. Haha!

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Then the drive back home. We stopped in Vegas and stayed the night the way up and on the way back. It made the long drive to Utah not as LONG!

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We had so much fun on our trip. Kylee is so blessed to have so much family. We all are. But Kylee was able to play with all her cousins and new cousins she met in Utah. She is surrounded by so many people that love her. I don't know what we would do without family. We are truly so blessed! Can't wait for our next reunion!!! Hopefully Kylee will be bringing along a sibling or two by the time we see them all again. :)

Westside....all settled in!

We are all moved in and getting comfortable with our new "home". Living here definitely has it's perks....for example: MICKEY MOUSE PANCAKES!!!

Kylee loves Papa's pancakes!

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We were rummaging through some old pictures the other day and we found some pictures of my Mom as a Senior in High School. She was absolutely beautiful! (and still is of course)!

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One of the first things we did was start looking for a gym. I am used to working out at boot camps out in Queen Creek so as soon as I knew I wasn't going to have that "luxury" anymore, I did my research and found the most amazing gym who offers a 2 for 1 law enforcement discount! So David and I signed up and are only paying for one membership. It's great! (although I should add that I am the only one who has taken advantage of the gym, so we are basically paying for me only anyway) - hahaha! Ok, ok.....I'm sure David would like for me to add that he hurt his back the other day playing basketball and has been down and out. I'm SURE he'll be in the gym soon! :)

One of the main things that attracted me to this gym was the child care program. Kylee loves the gym more than me! She begs me to go every morning. It's great motivation and keeps me going even when I don't feel like it. (although I am becoming quite the gym rat lately). The other day Kylee tried the rock wall. She was a little hesitant at first and only got about 1/4 way up, but she said she will keep trying and hopefully make it to the top one of these days. Along with the rock wall, Kylee was doing mini-aerobics and dance with one of the day care babysitters. I got to watch her as I ran on the treadmill. Each machine has it's own tv and we can watch the day care cameras or tv while we work out. It is pretty much AMAZING!

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So I have to write some things for journaling purposes. We have been out here for 2 weeks now and the first week was quite an adjustment. So much so that I started to get home sick. I was missing Queen Creek, missing the Higginson's, missing all our family and friends out East, missing our ward. I was second guessing our decision to move out here. As the week went on, it got a little better and I started getting used to everything, but when I sat in church at another new ward....I started getting "bitter" and just wanted to go back to our home ward where we knew everyone and where everything was familiar. I missed my primary kids and those I served with! I had a very negative attitude as we were sitting there waiting for church to start. ****It was fast and testimony meeting and everything changed when a sweet little old Greek lady got up to bare her testimony. It was the most moving and powerful testimony I have ever heard! And I'm not just saying that. Something about her touched me so deeply and I was immediately changed. I couldn't stop crying throughout the rest of the meeting. Then relief society came and the person giving the lesson has 3 adopted children. She included her adoption story in her lesson and how hard it was to come to that point. I couldn't believe this was the lesson...on this day....our first week there. My Mom introduced us after church was over and we immediately connected and she had so many wonderful suggestions and advice for me. We met a couple days later and as a result, we now have a new case worker who (from what I can tell already) is absolutely amazing!!! I have a new found ambition to keep going after I was ready to give up. And best of all, this lady has a little 5 year old girl (who is adopted) and Kylee loves her! Kylee got to watch her adoption video and to see what adoption is all about. I'm so thankful for our new found friendship with this family. It is such a blessing!

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When we first made the decision to move out here, it was mainly just to help us pay off the fertility debt we had accrued over the past 4 years (and I was excited to be closer to my family). But I never expected to receive and get so many answers to prayers that I didn't even know I was searching for. I'm not sure if moving out here is going to be permanent for our family, but for now, I KNOW that we are supposed to be out here! I'm so thankful for the gospel and that no matter where we go, it's always there! I'm so thankful for family who loves and supports us in our time of need. Living with the Higginson's was amazing and I miss them dearly. We bonded with them over the past 2 months that we got to live with them. I'm so thankful for that time we had with them and I'm thankful that our relationship with them is forever changed because of it. Family is amazing and I don't know what I'd do without ALL of our family!

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LIFE IS GOOD!