McGee Family Pictures

While I was in Utah, my sister Charlotte asked me to take family pictures for her. It was kind of a rainy day, so we did some outside at the park near their house, and then we went over to Ryan's auto shop and took some more there with the big bay doors open to let in the light. Not to sound conceited or anything, but I am rather impressed with myself. :D Who would have thought an auto shop would be such a cool place for family pictures?

Those McGees are a good looking bunch!

Mansfield Family Pictures

I also took family pictures for all the Mansfields. That was an adventure. I'm not done editing yet, but there are a few of our family from that day.

More pictures of the Uintas

Travis took these pictures. Aren't they beautiful? I tend to just take pictures of people and ignore the scenery, so I'm glad he took them.

Mirror Lake

While we were up in the Uintas we spent a day at Mirror Lake. Megan and Jared learned to kayak. They picked it up really quickly and were able to go all over.

Uncle Todd and Auntie Eleanor and Auntie Charlotte took the little kids on a ride in the old rowboat. The littles had a lot of fun but I think the adults found it to be a lot of hard work!

Kate and Michael went for a walk around the lake and found a hollowed out tree trunk to play in.

And William and I sat in the shade and just enjoyed the view.

Grandpa Val's Cabin and the Roberts Reunion

We went up to my dad's cabin for a reunion with my siblings while we were in Utah. Everyone had a lot of fun. I remember when my dad first bought that property. I thought he was CRAZY! But 15 years later, I'm finally seeing his vision.

 Sara is one of my favorite people on the planet. It's so cool seeing her grow up. William and Kate absolutely adore her.

I love this picture of my handsome husband. I'm glad that he got to come for part of our trip.

Travis let Jared get his hair cut in a "fauxhawk" and Jared was pretty excited to pose for the camera every time he styled it.

Absolute proof that I was there too (because you can't fake a background in Photoshop or anything, right? No really. I was there. I was! I promise!)

All the cousins loved being together. They were a wild bunch but I'm glad they got along so well.

Auntie Charlotte gave William his firsts graham cracker while we were having s'mores one evening. He hasn't been interested in eating babyfood at all, but he LOVED gumming that cracker.

 Kate loved climbing on everything in sight. And jumping off. And climbing back up. And jumping. And climbing. And jumping (I'm sure you get the picture!)

The older cousins opted to sleep out in a tent instead of in the crowded cabin. They were good sports about letting Kate help them put it up.

Rebecca, David, and Megan in the old teepee. 

Kate really had fun with the big boys. Here's Ben spinning her around while she shrieked and laughed.

And here's Josh tossing her up in the air while she shrieked and laughed.

I actually caught one of her quiet moments on camera. It only lasted a few seconds and then she was off again.

A Mother's Influence

A mother's influence extends not only to her children, 

but to all those her children reach.

In addition to the parade, we had a special gift for Grandma Greenland's 90th birthday. Back in January, Rachelle asked each family to do 90 acts of service in grandma's honor.

While we were all together at Bear Lake, Rachelle presented the big jar to grandma. Each color represents a different family. Each slip of paper represents an act of service.

We had the best experience keeping track of all our service! The kids loved it. They went out of their way to help everyone - they did each other's chores, helped me with the babies, made and delivered cookies, picked up trash, carried things for their teachers, just to name a few. The project really kept service at the front of our minds and in our conversations. We were always thinking and working. It was wonderful. I'm so grateful.

Bear Lake 2013

We spent almost a week up at the Mansfield cabin at Bear Lake. Lots of swimming, tubing, and playing in the sand.

 Megan didn't get to spend the whole time with us (it was the same time as Grandkids Camp), but she had a blast with her cousins while she was there.

 Kate is fearless.

 This was Jared's first time on a tube. He was a little nervous in the beginning (especially after seeing the wild ride Kasey and Amy went on right before his turn!) but he had a lot of fun.

This was also Kate's first time on a tube. It was about the calmest ride imaginable (because I'm paranoid). She probably would have liked a few more bumps, but that will have to wait until she's a bit older.

One of the very funniest things that happened at the lake was when we got back from riding on the boat, Rachelle and Amy (Trimble) played a prank on Amy (Greenland) and I. We both have baby boys who are similar in size, complexion, and temperament. We left them on the beach in the shade while we went out on the boat. When we got back, "Gabe" was in the carseat where he'd been when we left. And they handed "William" to me, all swaddled up in a big blanket. It took us a couple of minutes before we realized that they'd switched clothes and babies on us and I was bouncing Gabe and Amy was rocking William.

You can't go to the beach without getting COVERED in sand. You just can't.

Even good old Grampa Gustman was there in good form (at the cabin. We didn't take him to the beach.)

We had a great time and are so glad we got to go!