Back to Illinois

On Monday we were scheduled to fly out at 4:50 p.m. so we had a little time to kill before we went to the airport. Brandi and the boys were out of town for most of the week and we were only able to spend a little time with them so we went up to their house to let the kids play in the sprinklers and just enjoy the beautiful weather.

Aniela was still not feeling 100 % better and was wanting to be held. So we all had pretty wet laps by the time we had to leave. 

I never knew it would have been so hard to say good bye again. Living with Heston, Brandi and the boy was such a great time in our lives and we all really miss them. 

I am really starting to hate goodbyes. It was so much harder this time because I know that we will not be going back anytime soon. I never knew how hard it is living away from your family and friends. I always thought that it wouldn't be a big deal because you can call them or get on the web cams with them any time you want. I guess the hardest part is not being able to go and spend the time together or to just give each other a hug. (and if you know me you know  I love hugs)

 

Here we are on the airplane on our way home.

A big thanks to everyone for a great time. Thanks to Tj & Shaylee for letting us stay at their house and for Mom and Dad for hosting the may BBQ's. We really did have a great time.

WE LOVE YOU & MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH! 

Utah trip day 7

On Sunday we went to my mom's house to celebrate Britton's birthday. We had all the family over and had a good old back yard BBQ.  The kids played in the swimming pool and we all had a really good time. 

Happy Birthday Britton!

Here we are enjoying the food and conversation.

Brandi really, really enjoying her food. I think most of the pictures I got of Brandi she was eating. I wish I could eat like you and stay that skinny! Brat!

The older kids doing fireworks.

Tj, Deklan, Areya and Acaseya

Utah trip day 6

On Saturday we had a picnic at the park across the street from my parent's house. Mike and Kim drove over from Provo and  spent the whole day with us. Cody (Lacy's husband) flew in on Friday night and he was there too.  We ate all the summer favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs and watermelon. Than to burn it all off we played a game of kick ball.

  

Yep that's my little piggy helping herself to the watermelon. She kept looking up to see if anyone would care but no one stopped her so she kept eating.

Lacy and Areya just hanging out in the shade.

Shaylee was not feeling well so she and Aniela took a little nap

The stomach flu made its rounds through our family. Ida had it before we arrived then Aniela got it, next was mom, then Shaylee, then Matt, Mike, Cody, Areya and even Brandi who we only saw a few times.

Tj playing 500 with Kim and Cody.

Here's kick ball.

After everyone was pooped out from kick ball they took a walk down by the river. In Matt's and Areya's case in the river. She sure does love the water.

That night I got a few friends together for a girls night. Brandi was sweet enough to let us have it at her house. (being that I don't have one any more) Thanks B for letting us hang at your crib!

What did we do for girls night? What girls do best of course................. Talk and eat a lot of junk food. We ordered a pizza and the plan was to play games but we never shut up long enough to get one started. 

Here's my girls; Shaylee (sister in-law) Amanda (best friend for 12 years) Lacy (my cousin on my mom's side) Me and Brandi (my cousin in-law who lived with until we moved to Chicago)

It was amazing how well everyone got along, no one really knew each other so I thought it might be a little uncomfortable for some but it turned out great. Thanks everyone for coming I had a great time and it was so nice to have time for the girls without kids to worry about.

Amy (my brother Matt's girlfriend) also came for a while but had to leave before the real fun started.

A big thanks to my Mommy and Ida for watching the girls!

Utah trip day 5

On Friday we didn't have a ton planned because most of the cousins were flying home that day. 

In the morning I took the girls over to my friend Robyn's house to let them play with her two girls. The kids had a lot of fun playing together and I got to catch up with Robyn on all the latest.  Congrats to Robyn and Dave on the baby news. 

Later that day we went to Toads which is a family fun center. It has mini golfing, go carts, a rock wall, laser tag and an arcade. We got the pass that allowed you to mini golf and to choose one other activity. 

Here is most everyone getting ready to golf.

Mom getting down and dirty one the first hole.

Shaylee and Areya     

Lacy and I stuffing our faces on fries, it's what we do best you know.

Even Aniela gave it a try.

So what if the club is bigger then she is.....

Sam helping Britton

After golfing, half of us took a spin on the go carts and the other half played a round of laser tag. (I love this picture of my dad, it shows that he is still just a kid at heart.)  Areya rode with Grandma, Deklan rode with Ida, Britton rode with Sam, Dawn and Dad were on their own. The rest of us; Matt, Amy, Tj, Shaylee, Lacy and I played laser tag.  It was the first time for me and I really liked it. The only draw back was that they had two other groups join ours and the area was just to small for that many people. 

Tj hit the batting cages before we left.

Areya and Deklan showing off the prize they won at the arcade.

Thanks Brandi for coming and bringing the boys to hang out with us even though you were not feeling the best. Love ya.

Utah trip day 4

On Thursday my Aunt Kimmy and Uncle Mike rented 4 jet skis for everyone to ride. We had half of the family staying in the Ogden area and the other half was in the Prove / Lehi area and because the half staying in Provo rented the jet skis we all met at Utah Lake. We had a few slight bumps in our plans but every thing worked out and we all had a great time. Thanks Kimmy and Mike!

Here are Mike, Kimmy, and Ryan getting ready to go out. Lacy and I are were being pulled on a tube ready for the ride of our lives and Mike gave us just that.  All I remember is Lacy flying over my head after I hit the water.

 

Matt and Amy took Areya for a little ride in the no wake zone. She loved it and wanted to go faster!

Here are my little dare devils. They both thought that the jet skis were the best things ever. Aniela was more then ready to go for a ride but Mama ( I ) put a stop to that real fast. 

This is the tube Lacy and I went out on. The girls thought it would be fun to try it too so we walked out as far as we could with them.

Here is my dad helping me pry my monster off the jet ski, they both screamed and cried but it was time for the big kids to play.

 

 Uncle Mike playing with the girls.

Grandma Great giving to jet ski a go. I have no clue why they let her on that thing alone. If you have seen her drive then you'll know what I mean.

After a while Aniela started throwing up. She was so tired and did not feel well so I laid down with her for a bit. She did not sleep long because she started to throw up again. Poor little thing! Too much sun, water, and not enough to drink. So after she threw up the fourth time and refused to drink I called it quits for her and I, but since we did not have a car my mom and dad drove us home. On the way home she continued to throw up so we ended up in the Emergency room worried that she would become dehydrated. The doctors said that they thought is might be heat stroke and told us to have her drink clear fluids and sent us home. (Well we wouldn't have gone to the hospital if I could get her to drink, so a lot of good they were.) By the time we left the hospital she was eating ice chips so that was a good sign. What a great way to end a day a sun burn that really hurt and a trip to the E.R.  Yippie!

 

The Wedding (day 3)

Chase & Jennifer Wickline

June 25, 2008

Congratulations to my cousin Chase and his wife Jen on their wedding. Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day.

Here is bride and groom and their parents.

Jen and Chase with his parents. (my Aunt Kimmy and Uncle Mike)

Chase, Mike, Ryan, Lacy, Kimmy & DJ

Wedding are a great way to bring the family together. This is a picture of all the great grand babies that my grandma gets to see. (She has a few more but never gets to see them.) Areya is the oldest then Britton then Aniela then Airiana and finally Everett. Oh yeah, baby Wickline who is still in mommy's tummy.

After the ceremony we had dinner and dancing, cake and toasts to the happy couple. You know all the good stuff that happens at a wedding. Areya caught the bouquet and was so excited. Good thing she does not understand what that means.

Everyone had a great time and we wish Chase & Jen all the best in the years to come.