Family Reunion and Other Utah Stuff

Mid-August we packed up my in-laws minivan and drove up to Utah to attend a family reunion for Matt's family.  They try to do it every 2 years- and for the past few reunions we've been able to spend time at this amazing ranch in Altamont (east of Salt Lake, but west of Vernal).  It's huge and sleeps over 100 people (which is good since Matt's family is quite large).  There's a pool, pond, basketball/volleyball area, rock-climbing wall, shooting range, horseback riding, & cattle roaming free.  Not to mention the lodge itself with a huge main room & a game room in the basement.  Shame on me for taking only 3 photos.  If I get more from someone a little more photo-responsible than myself, I'll post them.

Lexi riding a horse with cousin Paige leading:

Ella & mom riding:

Alexis helping Jennifer make pizza dough during our meal preparation shift.

On our way home from the reunion, we drove through Salt Lake and decided to stop & spend some time in the Church History Museum and Temple Square.

Holding onto the Iron Rod

A replica of the  pulpit in the Conference Center. Can you see Lexi's head?

Examining a replica of the Gold Plates

I was also able to get in touch with a dear friend, Sister Pilz.  I was very close with three of her children during high school (Karl, Heidi, & Katrina) and spent many many many afternoons & evenings in their home.  If I wasn't playing volleyball or at the church or at my house, I was probably at their place.  She met up with us and my kids loved her from the moment they met her.

After the reunion, we headed back to Provo for a few days.  We stayed with Matt's brother & family in their beautiful home.  Here, Ella took some time to brush up on her drum skills:

Matt helped prep some of Lari's campaign signs:

And I planned a backyard barbeque party so that we could see many of the wonderful people we have known- we were only in Provo for about 2 days, and so many of our friends came to see us!  I wish we could have visited all night.  I definitely did not have enough time to talk to everyone like I wanted to.  But I hope you know how much we love you- and that I felt your love that night, too.  And if you come to NYC, you will have our undivided attention.

The Browns!

Alexis, Anna B & Ella

My mission friends: Lisha, Kari & Nici

The Campbells!  B-dog and his band The Neon Trees have an album coming out in January.

The Graves! Jennifer, one of my roomies at BYU, introduced me to Matt.

Emily! A friend from our ward in Provo- I was in YW with her daughters.

Sheridan! She lived in the same building as us here in NYC (but has relocated to UT).

The Johnsons!  Carrington & Matt were close friends growing up.  I don't think we've seen them since their wedding day!

The Greeners! Lance was my boss at Ellis, my first job out of college.  At a cool $8.25 an hour.

The Beemans! We met Corrie in the singles ward here when Matt was called to the bishopric.  They have also relocated to UT.

The Taylers!  Rebecca was a college roommate of mine for a couple of years.

Angie!  How did I miss getting a photo with you?!  We met Angie here in NY and she has also relocated to UT.

After dealing with a horrible bout of the flu (it hit every single one of us!), we headed back to California for a few more days until our flight home to NYC.