Utah with the Gatrells

Here is a follow up on our trip in July--I had to get some photos from my sister (thanks again, Kristin!)

We loved staying at Mom's home for a week. It was especially fun to have Lance and Elaina there at the same time. They are in the process of moving form Nashville to LA for a pharmacy job. We enjoyed hanging out with them and Isaac since we really miss having them as neighbors like we did in Denver.

While in Utah we bought the stroller we wanted--it's not available where we live yet. Isaac was a great sport to test it out and got to go all around the neighborhood in our new "car."

Sunday we had a big family dinner. Monday was the 4th of July, so Mom had a barbecue at her house. Everyone in the family was there (see this post). Greg made his yummy fries and Alyssa treated us to homemade ice cream filled with fresh-picked raspberries from her garden. We were in heaven all week eating "American" food.

My eldest sister Anna

Getting food ready for the BBQ

Alyssa, Anna, Bennett, Russ & Phoenix

Shane, Elaina, Josie, Alyssa, Brock, Phoenix & Lance

Impromptu family photo (see the whole family here)

We loved watching Greg's firework show (sponsored by Grandma). The grandkids had a blast choosing the next firework. 

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Tuesday we went to Brock and Kristin's for dinner and to celebrate Brady's birthday. He had a cool lego cake and even got legos as a gift. I had fun building and auto garage and truck with him. Grown-ups should play with legos more.

Brady's birthday celebration (with Lauren & Courtney)

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Wednesday we had a pizza party at Greg and Alyssa's. It's amazing to see how fast their girls have grown up. I still remember seeing Josie just after she was born (back in Virginia). She's 10 now. Time flies!

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Thursday Curt went golfing with the rest of the in-law boys (Brock, Shane and Lance) . Then we went to Bountiful for a fun lunch, afternoon and dinner with Shane, Anna and their kids. One really fun part of the afternoon for me was getting ice cream in Ogden at Farr's Ice Cream Parlor. I love watching little kids eat ice cream off a cone. Messy faces are so cute!

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Friday Curt went to the shooting range with Greg and Brock. Curt asked me to point out that he won--even using Greg's guns :) While they were shooting, the girls and kids all played at Liberty Park and had a picnic. They have a great fountain area where the kids had a blast. That evening we ate yummy Cafe Rio at Russ and Phoenix's, played some games and watched a movie.

The grandkids grow SO fast!!

Not a flattering photo of me...but I had fun at the park chasing kids, talking to my mom and sisters and eating a great picnic.

Lastly, we had a fun family shower with the Gatrell and Durfee sides the Friday before we flew back to Geneva. It was so fun to see my cousins and aunts. Family is unlike anything else in the world. I love my family dearly. In fact, that' the only thing Switzerland doesn't have for us right now (besides green chile enchilada sauce and Crisco...but we can live without those!).