The Uncles

It is so good to come to UT and be able to go to everyone's stuff that we miss out on when we're away.  We spent a few good hours at Rex and Colette's swim meet, relaxing in the shade, cheering by the pool, and hovering around the results.  I love swim meets!  Maybe my kids don't as much . . .

 The next week we hiked Provo Peak as a "warm-up" for Mt. Whitney.  It was not a very fun hike, but it was fun to drive over the top of Rock Canyon and it was a beautiful view from the top.  I had never been up this way before.

 The weather vane on top had a cracked mirror on it.  Now if I see a flashing light up that way, I'll know what it is!

 Colette thought it looked like a gun.

 Vivien was feeling pretty snazzy to have summitted an 11,000 ft peak.

And we were grateful to find some snow on top to cool off in.

 It was good to hike with my sistren again.

 And despite the steepness and difficulty of the way up, everyone managed a smile for the group selfie!

For the 4th of July weekend we went up to Park City with the Forbes.  I failed at taking pictures, but Papa Mark and Grandma Paula entertained the grandkids while we did ALL the things (zip line, alpine slides, and alpine coaster).

 Vivi warmed up on the kiddie train before riding the alpine slides with her mommy.

 She liked to see the yellow-bellied marmot from the ski lift especially well.

It was a fun weekend of games, parades, fireworks, good food, and good company!

When we got back from Park City, we had a Brunsdale "reunion."  We basically spent two solid days playing every game we could think of to play (badminton, horseshoes, water baseball, pool volleyball, "Seize the Fat One" a.k.a. watermelon football, pickle ball, dodge ball, scatter ball, 4-square, volleyball, archery, fencing, lip sync battles, and Bounding Buffalo, which Jessie introduced me to in Park City) and eating delicious food in every spare moment.  We were all so tired by the end of it!

When the reunion was over, it was time for wedding preparations.  We all had to get haircuts.  

 I love this place.  They are so quick!

And they do a good job.

 I went short again.  Too hot to not!  Double meaning intended.

We made Tickled Pink Lemonade Cookies for the reception.

 Paula's yard looked AMAZING!  They made these beautiful trellises and Jessie fashioned pretty jars to hang in them.

 Camille and her mom whipped out this cake in no time.

 Sharon did the lovely  flower arrangements.  A few other cousins and I got to help her with them the day before.  It is wonderful to work with something so beautiful!

 And the awesome thing about having a reception in the backyard is that there was something for the kids to do!

 We had to take family pictures while we were matchy.

 My men!

 Vivi and her favorite Daddy.

 Rafe Pudgy-Hands

It was a beautiful wedding on a beautiful day for beautiful people!  Of course, we had to show off Rafe's gold bow tie at church the next day.

 The next week we went to 7 Peaks with Kaitlyn and Justin and Coco.  We wore Rafe out.

 Vivi liked the slides, sort of.  She'd cry at the top (who doesn't feel like crying at the top?), then be totally silent the whole way down (holding her breath, I think), then cry at the bottom when the water that slows you down hits you, but afterwards she'd be laughing and telling me all about how fun it was.  Toddlers are a mystery.

Vivi has been having a really good time here.  In the morning she'll wake up and come into my room.  "Mommy, the sun is up!  It's morning!  Are the uncles awake?"  The uncles are Rex, Coco, and Melanie.

They have been playing dress up with old formals.  "It is my wedding day!" she says.

Melanie even let Vivi give her a makeover.  I think she's got a future in it.

I don't blame Vivi for loving to play with them.  I love it too!  I had my 26th birthday this week and we all went to The Orange Leaf and ate A LOT of ice cream.

We miss our Daddy, but we sure love to be here where there is so much fun and silliness!