Utah, Part 4: Cornbellys, Eerie Edibles, and Nufers

We arrived home later than planned from our Timp hike, but still had a few hours to roast s'mores, watch the kids jump on the tramp, and play Dungeons and Dragons with Blake.  Blake came alive during that game, and it was a highlight of our trip to spend that time with him.  It's bizarre to think of him walking around on his tip toes as a two-year-old, and that feels like it was only a few years ago, not 10!

Saturday morning, we took the kids to Cornbelly's with Ryan and Karen and Cory and Kristen.  This potato sack slide was the best thing there--fast and fun!

Kate took a slow-motion fall and bounce down the slide, and we were sure that was the end of the day for her.  Cousins provide excellent support and peer pressure, though, and she jumped up, brushed herself off,  and got back in line with Rachel.

Get yo' hands in the air:

Ellie made us feel like gold, asking to ride with us over and over:

I remember when Bryson got old enough to play games with us, and I can't believe my kiddo is at that stage now, too.  It's fun to play with them when they are old enough to understand the rules and compete!

Sweet Allison.  We did not see much of her on this trip, but moments we got were so cute!

The Edwards boys and their kids got a little showy and competitive, as always.

We took a little train ride, made it through a corn maze, played on themed playgrounds and bounce houses,

...and went through haunted houses that were supposedly not haunted, but spooked a few kids anyway.

We threw balls through hoops and cheered when the kids (and adults) scored some points.

Brady and I arbitrarily assign points to our kids for doing random things.  There's no reward, but getting points somehow makes it worth pumping little bicycle legs up a long hill.  I always wonder when they will see through the points, but then we get pretty excited ourselves throwing a foam football through a slot marked "100," so maybe the thrill never ceases.

The kids drove carts,

shed a few tears, 

climbed around in a spider web,

and waited for pig races.  Look at this pic: classic Ellie, holding Kate's hand and guiding her around.  I love their matchy-matchy stripes.

Ellie was chosen as a rep for one of the pigs.  Whoo-hoo!

A few days after the event, we were driving through Salt Lake and I commented on how cool it was that we were here for the Olympics in 2002.  Zac chimed in: "AND FOR THE PIG RACES!"

An inflated trampoline:

Doting Ellie helping Katers up:

Cory drove the nieces and nephews around on the mower.  Kate fell sound asleep standing up.

That afternoon, we headed up to Heber for our annual Edwards Eerie Edibles.  Thanks to everyone for hosting it early in October so we could participate!  It was disappointing to not have Dad Edwards there making us a meticulous menu, but we all enjoyed ourselves.  Angela donned her witch hat and claimed to make a potion with the kids that would make everyone invisible for several minutes at midnight.  Kate was so scared by this idea that she refused to drink the potion and wouldn't sleep next to Zachary, who did.  They are both fairly certain that he was invisible that night.

Sunday morning, we attended my cousin Holly's mission homecoming.  My grandparents were there, along with 5 aunts/uncles and many cousins.  It was an awesome way to see extended family.  After church, we went to Emily's house, meeting up with Mindy, Scott and Maycee, and Natalie and Steve, plus everyone's kids.  We had a big dinner and visited for hours.

It's stunning how fast life changes and how strange it is to sit in a room full of my siblings' kids.  When did this happen?  Emily's daughter Lia was always present, asking how she could help in the kitchen, etc.  What?  How is she old enough to be so responsible?  Her daughter Mikayla looks like I remember Emily looking as a little girl (see below--far right).

Here's a snapshot of all the girls:

Kate and Scott's daughter, Ella.  Ella delighted the room by holding hands with the other little cousins and doing "Ring Around the Rosie" a dozen times.

Steve and four-month-old Hyrum.  Natalie and Steve came down from Idaho for a day and a half.

Mindy, just three days before leaving on her mission in Jacksonville, FL (lucky timing!!):

(Yes, I am extremely overrepresented in these pictures.)

Zachary with Natalie's oldest, Joshua.  These two were fast friends.

Emily's youngest daughter, Julianna.  Julianna was tiny last visit, but she's about to be an older sister to Gibbons baby #6.

Kate, taking pictures with the fake camera.

Natalie and her daughter, Kelsey.  Natalie's kids look just like her.  You could pick them out of a crowd of thousands.  They are energetic and so excited to talk and play.

Maycee and Ella:

Monday, we were lucky enough to have Maycee and Mindy watch our kids while we attended the temple together.  Afterwards, we went to lunch with Maycee, Scott, and Mindy at Cafe Rio (mmmmm....).  Monday afternoon, we spent time with Natalie and Scott's family in Heber, and then dinner at Angela's.  Thank you to Ang and Natalie for feeding us again on a busy night for both of you.

Tuesday, we visited Grandma and Grandpa Nufer in the afternoon.  They are so attentive and Grandma has a memory that shocks me.  I am hoping I inherited from her and maybe I will magically start recalling things better!  Grandpa has a sense of humor and is always presentable.  They shared cherry tomatoes from their garden, filled us in on their responsibilities in choir and at the temple, and talked about Aruba.  We told Zachary about how he peed all over us the first day we brought him home--which was to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Grandpa corrected me and said, "The proper term is 'urinated.'"

We went directly to Kathie and Lee's house for Taco Tuesday.  They were kind enough to feed us and visit even mid-remodel.  I hope I can be an aunt the way Kathie has been an aunt to me.

We flew home on Wednesday morning, and engaged in serious talks about whether we were "doing right" by our kids to live in the middle of the ocean, away from family and the resources that are often more readily available on the mainland (music lessons, better education, better facilities and parks, etc.).  We went as far as to say that maybe we would move after this next phase of Koloa Landing.

Then, we thought about how "the grass is always greener" and it is really green when you are on vacation in October.  If we feel this way after a January visit, then perhaps take us seriously.  Until then, we are so happy to live on our tiny island in the middle of nowhere, and so incredibly grateful that we have family that make us want to leave our paradise.  Thank you all for making efforts to see us, for feeding and hosting us, and most especially for your love.