Buckle Up - It's a long one

It has been a busy week. Last Tuesday Arnon, Terry, the kids and I left for Utah for the Livingstone Family Reunion (taa-daa). We liked it. So here's how the trip went:

We got to stop and have a lengthy visit in Flagstaff with my dear friend Gaby. We loved the cool pines and we went on a lovely walk in her neighborhood to the park. There is a long involved story about why Lindsey's kids are there but I'll just leave those of you who don't already know the story in the dark about it - trust me, it isn't that exciting and I'm being succinct (right Ryan?). But we had so much fun with Gaby and we are already planning our next trip up to see them later this month. We love those guys!

We got up to Utah eventually and found our long lost Tessa! Who would have thought to look for her there? She had a wonderful time with Aunt Katie (she called me Aunt Katie for the first couple of days) and Uncle Kent and Sweet Afton. It is nice to have all my children back again.

The Livingstone Family Reunion began on Friday. Here are the three Livingstone brothers John, Terry and Mike with Aunt Linda (Uncle John's wife). These men had an amazing mother who passed away three years ago, her children and 20 grandchildren and 54 and counting great grandchildren rise up and call her blessed. It was wonderful to hear them talk about Nanny and the influence she has had on the lives of so many people. It isn't just ourselves that we effect with our decisions. . .

We played at a park in Orem that is next to Ryan's cousin Patti and Ben's house. It was a great park with an excellent hill for slip-n-sliding.
Make sure you see Alana in the picture above, she's between Jeffey and Tess, she is itty bitty.

Alana sliding.

Tessa sliding.

Leah sliding.
Jeffey slid a lot but I somehow didn't get a picture.
Sorry dude.

Kate and Afton on a grassy knoll.
Thanks Kate and Kent for letting us stay with you, you are brave.

Afton and Peter giving kisses.

Tessa's tooth finally came out, she's only been working on it all summer.

Rock Band at Patti and Ben's house. We adults played too and we rocked it, I got to sing because I'm not organized enough to play drums, guitar or bass :)

We went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house on Saturday. I was so excited to be able to take our children inside the temple and show them around and tell them a little bit about what happens in temples and try to explain how much I love temples. They are always fascinated with me when I get a bit teary eyed but I think they got a little of the point. It was lovely to be there with all of them and all of the other thousands of people who were making their way thru the tour, it was the last day of the open house and it was busy! And we temporarily lost Oliver. . . but on the whole it was lovely.

Then we came home Sunday night and Monday morning bright and early it was time to head back to school! Woo-hoo! So off we trudged in the 100 degree heat. This year we have Jeffey in 4th, Leah in 3rd, Tess in 2nd, Alana Kay in Kinder and Oliver in Kinder. It was fun to see our little group with their new backpacks on and their hair combed. I love school. Amanda was so cute dropping off Ollie, her baby is all grown up!

They are cool - but not too cool for school.

Alana Kay at her desk. She is cute.

Tessa Lou at her desk. Her teacher had Leah last year so she knows Tessa's
nickname is Pickles and she already calls her that. Fun times :)

Well, I'll keep it short even though I'm sure you know I could go on and on. . .