Westward Ho! (part one)

We've just returned from our two-week stint in Utah and Idaho to be with our families. We only had two days to spend with my family in Utah so part one of my report is a snippet of the whirlwind party we had while we were there. Basically, Angie and I put out an email itinerary to everyone, telling them where to be and when. Minus the airplane picture, all of these pics are from only those two days.

Close quarters on board the plane.

My dad suggested we take the kids up to the point of the mountain to fly his radio-controlled gliders early wednesday morning. Minus the part where we thought we lost one (kid), it was a blast!

After gliders we headed down to the Walter Wick exhibit at the BYU MOA. Mme. Dall awesomely met us there with her cute boys and afterward we all went to Cafe Rio. (Go free kid quesadillas!) ps. Joy, I wish I had snapped a pic of you guys with my own camera!

Wednesday night we met up Provo Canyon for an adults-only party with my siblings, in-laws, and parents.

An absolute treat!

We had a fantastic time talking and being able to hear each other....and staying seated while we ate.

Imagine that!

(Thanks, Gilbert and Carmen, for babysitting.)

We played two-truths-and-a-lie, along with some other conversation-stimulating fun. That game is actually pretty tricky when you are playing with your closest family. Try thinking of something about you that NOT ONE of your siblings knows!
After our picnic we re-converged at Kirk and Amy's house. Recognize it, anyone? It's the house we all (minus in-laws) grew up in. I love this picture of us 20-ish years later. Dale, we missed you!

Bro-in-laws hangin' out.

"so....uh....do you play an instrument?"

Yummy chocolate fondue! Great idea, Nanger!

The next morning, Weston and Jeff woke up bright and early to hike Squaw Peak with some of the older kids.

I like this photo. Two superb views.

For lunch on Thursday we had a party for the grandkids. (partly the result of the backlash that happened when word got out there would be a party to which they weren't invited.) But I think we made up for it with the pinata. We lined them up according to size. Everyone 5 and older was blindfolded for their turn. Everyone under 5 had varying degrees of understanding about what in the world we were doing.*

I love these kids!!!

...and these ones!

Go for it, Adam!

Cute, cute Cal.

*I think I succeeded at getting pics of every kid up to bat.

Email me if you want me to send you the pics I took of your kids. Some are better than others.

Thursday night we had a big game of Cashflow but I didn't get any pics. In fact, I was so exhausted I didn't even make it all the way through the game.

Early Friday morning, Weston and I went to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple, the same temple where we were married. It was so nice to walk around and think of happy memories.

I love and miss my family so much! I love spending time with them. It was very hard to leave.

Fathers' Day 2009

Honeymoon

Our long-awaited get-away has come and gone. We are so grateful to Weston’s mom for braving 5 whole days solo with the kids so that we could have a break. I honestly feel like I can’t thank her enough. She came to my rescue so that I could rest.

We headed down to Williamsburg and stayed at a Diamond Resort, complete with kitchen and private Jacuzzi, among many other amenities. We slept in every day, I got a full body massage, we played racquetball and miniature golf (both of which I think we are pretty evenly matched at. Not that he didn’t kill me at every match, but our scores stayed neck-and-neck a couple of times.)

On our last day we rented bikes and spent the day on two of the most rejuvenating bike rides, admiring the beautiful countryside. (It reminded me of one of the happiest days of my life, biking from Melk to Krems in Austria on my study abroad. I came back sore but feeling at least 10 years younger. Remember that, girls?)

The night before the bike ride, my heart sank when I checked the forecast for the following day. Rain and thunderstorms. I really did have my heart set on it, and we only had one day left of our trip. When we woke up the next morning, it was overcast but not actually raining. I checked the forecast again. Chance of thunderstorms were relatively low until 5pm. Though you wouldn’t think it to look at the sky.

Ps. I know I look dorky on my bike.

We went ahead with our plan, all the while hoping the rain would hold off until we were done. I figured it’s not that big a deal if we get sprinkled on. Miraculously, the rain did hold off long enough for us to cover all the territory we wanted to. We got the bikes back by 5:00 and the clouds started to let loose just as we were walking out of the bike shop.

I was really happy and grateful that we went ahead with our plan. What a bummer it would have been to have stayed home for no reason.

This photo is for all you Burnsies out there….well, at least those of you who might read this blog every now and then. We just had to document our encounter with Burns Lane.

Thanks, Weston, for a FANTASTIC vacation!

I had such a great time just being with you!

Grandma's Pics

Just before Weston's mom left, Weston downloaded the pictures she took with her camera onto our computer.

As I scrolled through the folder I was repeatedly left breathless by some of the fabulous facial expressions she caught....

...or just the beauty of a candid moment.

...or a lucky break with both boys smiling...

...and tender moments like this.

Is it that my kids are just super scrumptious, or do you think Margo has a secret knack for photography?

....and she also spiked their hair with styling products while we were gone.

just for fun.

Look At Me Now!

 I can sit up.

I like to sit up.

And I really like my Easter Dress.

Graduation Day

Weston Graduated with his MBA from the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University last night.  Did I really just say that in one sentence?  It seems kind of unfair to pretend that it can all be summed up so easily like that.  It has been a crazy busy two years and we are both looking forward to a little change of pace and relief from the constant burden of homework.

We had a really nice time at graduation with Gary and Ondalynn and their entire familial entourage.  Gary is my first cousin.  He and Ondalynn live approximately 45 minutes away and we love hanging out with them.  

We realized that fate had smiled upon us and that Gary and Weston would both be walking in the same graduation ceremony for Carey Business School.

Gary had a lot of family come into town for graduation.

We were joined by Denise and her parents, and also Lee and Brenda.

After the ceremony we all met up at Applebees for a little late-night celebratory dining.

Congrats, Weston!!!  I’m proud of you….

….and I really love you!

Ode To Grandmas

Dear Grandma Richards,

Here is only one example of the monumental projects I have been able to take on since you made such a significant and generous contribution to my train set.  This particular model is a re-creation of the city in Walter Wick’s book, I Spy Fantasy.  (pictured)

Thank you so much.  You’ve made it all possible.

Love, Peter

Dear Grandma Ricks,

I simply cannot wait for you to come!  I even made my first-ever calendar* today (with a little help from mom) so I can cross off the days until you get here.  And hopefully I will begin to conceptualize time, if ever-so-slightly, in terms of passing days, weeks, and months.  

*check out the number 2’s.

I’m also very much looking forward to Summer and am constantly asking my mom when Summer is going to be.

“Is it today?” 

Nope, not today.  It’s in June.

“Is it tomorrow?”

No.  June is after May.

“Oh….Well, is it today?”

So, now I am making a calendar for June and will mark the first day of Summer, and our trip to Idaho on an airplane!

Love,

Peter