A trip to the zoo

In early August we took a trip to the Jacksonville Zoo, thanks to a discount ticket day. The last time we were there was for Lily's third birthday. Jared had to do an early morning MRI scan, but he was back in time to eat breakfast with us at 8 a.m., then we packed a lunch and got on the road. The forecast for the day said overcast and high chance of rain (which is pretty typical for any day right now) so we thought we might get rained out. But the weather was actually great since the clouds made it not too hot and there was only the occasional sprinkle. We saw all the usual zoo animals: the big cats, the primates, the African animals, etc. The children really enjoyed petting the sting rays. The zoo is kind of small, so we finished up the excursion by three in the afternoon and headed home.

Kind of a funny picture--Oh no! The turtle is on Jared's feet! 

Zach really wanted to see a bear!

Zach petting a sting ray.

The theme song for our family reunion

A month or so ago while listening to a song called "Family", Jared mentioned that it should be the theme song for our summer. I didn't really respond because I was in the middle of something and didn't stop to listen to the song. But last week I was driving alone in the van and the song came up on our iPod.

I am going back to my sister's house
through the mountains to the place
where I know I can take my weary soul and smile at a familiar face

and the roof that I'm standing on feels like an airplane
city streets below me moving far away
what I wouldn't give to be there now
I'll find my way to you somehow

so give me a blanket for my cold cold heart
you know that I've travelled far
and I'll give you back a warm warm hide
to keep with you when we're apart

we're family
family
we're family
family

sure I spent one long year since I've been down here
running in a concrete race
where I'm lonely but far from alone
just longing for a slower pace

and the roof that I'm standing on won't hide me from the rain
but I know that I will see you all again
what I wouldn't give to be there now
I'll find my way to you somehow

so give me a blanket for my cold cold heart
you know that I've travelled far
and I'll give you back a warm warm hide
to keep with you when we're apart

we're family
family
we're family
family

As I listened closely to the words I was struck (and nearly brought to tears). We do live so far away from our family, but it is wonderful when we can travel far "and smile at a familiar face". I am so thankful for the great family that we have (especially fantastic sisters and sisters-in-law!). And even though we don't get to be together a lot, I am thankful for the fond memories of the time we have together.

You can listen to a recording of the song here on YouTube if you like.

Last Day in Utah (Trip Days 15-16)

Tuesday July 15th was our last day in Utah. Jared and I got up early to do a session at the nearby Mount Timpanogos Temple (thanks Becky for watching our kids!)

Then we drove to Provo to drop Jared off at BYU for a meeting with some of the faculty there. He had a nice lunch, met some key people, and toured the new MRI facility (please hire him soon, BYU!!!). I gave the children a little drive by tour of Provo: the apartment where Jared and I first lived, the Provo library, and the Provo Town Center Temple under construction. Then we went to the Hawkins house for lunch and to visit and play.

Popsicle time

Lily and Lucy

Andrew and Anwyn

 When Jared was finished with his BYU meetings we went to see the newly remodeled Bean Life Science Museum. The new design was quite nice. There weren't as many animals on display as before (for example, one hippo head instead of ten), but the arrangement was nice. It was neat to see the President Packer display.

We spent some time in the gift shop there (they had surprisingly reasonable prices) and the children each picked out a small momento for our trip. 

Dinner was at Eliza and Kirk's house that evening. Eliza made pizza dough and assorted toppings, and everyone assembled their own pizza. At the end of the evening we said our goodbyes to Grandma and Grandpa, Ryan and Marcelaine and kids, and the Hawkins family.

Wednesday July 16th our trip came to an end. We had been staying our nights with Becky and Paul. They are wonderful hosts and so kind and gracious. It was sad to say goodbye. The whole trip was just really great, and it was so wonderful to spend so much time with family, giving the children time to get to know their cousins. We are so grateful we were able to come, and hopefully we won't have to wait four years before visiting Utah again!

We got on the road to the SLC airport by 9 a.m., returned the rental car, got checked in and through security. Our flight had a layover in Baltimore, and then we landed in Orlando at 9 p.m. The kids did well on the flight (watching movies some of the time). They all enjoyed the hot chocolate on the plane. After getting the shuttle back to where our van was parked we got home around 11 p.m. (which actually felt like 9 p.m. to us transitioning from Mountain Standard Time). It was nice to sleep back in our beds that night!

Sunday and then Monday at the Museum (Trip Days 13-14)

Sunday most of us went to church in Provo with James and Ann. They were both speaking in sacrament meeting that day, and it was nice to be able to hear their words and testimonies. We had to say goodbye to the Langtons today, as they headed back to Texas.

In the afternoon we all gathered at the Seamons's home for the blessing of new baby Ann Marie, Ryan and Marcelaine's daughter. A lot of Marcelaine's family was able to come, so that meant dinner for around 80 people! Everything was very nice (but we don't really have any photos to show for it).

Monday we went to the new Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point with Grandma and Grandpa and many of the younger cousins. The museum was really fun for the kids and thankfully the crowds were manageable.

Dressing up: Pirates!

Shark attack!

Fun faces.

 Ready to get wet in the Water Works area.

 Children on the zip line.

Family Photos, BYU, and Water Fun (Trip Day 12)

Saturday July 12th was family photo day. We all met at the duck pond on BYU campus by 9 a.m. There was a professional photographer there to take the real photos, but here are some snapshots we caught.

Our family

Grandma and Grandpa and the grandkids (missing 2) 

James and Ann and their seven children with spouses

The nuclear family

The 2004 babies: Dallin, Adrie, Anwyn, and Andrew

The 2007 babies: Caroline, Katie, Daniel, Emily, and Lily 

There were yummy doughnuts to eat after the hard work of taking photos. Some children had to work harder than others to smile.

Lily looking pleased at having her photo taken

With time to spare we explored BYU campus a bit: the Wilkinson Center, the Library, the Brigham Young statue, the Museum of Art, and the Bookstore.

Lunch that day was at the Hawkins home in Provo. We had some nice visiting and playtime (they have the neatest little play hideaway space). Then we all met up at the Seamons home for water fun. The homemade dunk tank was seriously awesome and the kids had a blast!

Lily on the slip and slide.

Sometimes it takes a little help to make it down.

The dinner theme was Mexican food

After dinner we had a family home evening, with a lesson from Grandpa (about how he and Ann met, as well as the John Tanner story).

Dessert was cake and ice cream, to celebrate all the family birthdays.

I swiped this photo from Tiffany's blog, because it is such a nice photo of Adrie and Lily.