Saturday in PROVO - Splash Summit

Today is the day I've been looking forward to all week because we are going to Splash Summit for the day.  I'm disappointed that Robert isn't here to have fun with us, but I am happy he has this chance to be with his mission buddies. 

 

 

I love water and sunshine and today is filled with both of them.  Jessica, Tate, Cayson, Marissa, Michael and Mark and I arrived at the park at the same time.  Tate got us free parking and he also got Mark and I passes.  Oh my gosh - he is so thoughtful.  Jessica stayed with Cayson (since she isn't allowed to ride the rides due to her pregnancy), while Tate lead us to the best rides to do while there were short lines.  I had a blast.  I love water and rides - I love the thrill of it all.  Mark and I did as many rides as we could together.  There were some single slide rides, and others were for two people.  We had such a good time together.  Mark and I tried to do things with the kids - with Jessica and Tate too - we did the lazy river with them, and then with Michael and Marissa we did the toilet bowl (called that by Mark).  The only sad part was that Sierra didn't want to go, so Devon only stayed with us for about an hour. However, while he was there we had a blast doing the craziest rides - and we sneaked in a group photo! 

 

 

 

 

 

Tate and Jessica treated everyone to lunch from Subway - delicious and healthy all in one.  We didn't leave the park until around 4:00 PM.  What a fantastic day!

 

 

  

I was exhausted from all the sun and walking but the family wanted to go play tennis.  Mark, Tate, and Michael ended up playing singles after the family hit the ball around for a while.  We called Sierra (Devon had to go to work at 4:00 PM) to see if she wanted to join us for dinner.

We decided to do take away from Noodle and Company and go to the park so Cayson could play.  It was fantastic.  The dinner was delicious, the park was mostly empty, and we all had a fun time.  I took Cayson to play on the playground while everyone finished up eating.  We finished on the swings - we counted over 100 swings... too fun.  Cayson loves learning and playing at the same time and I love doing it with him.  After everyone finished dinner we played a few games of Volleyball.  What a blast - just wish Devon and Robert could have joined us.  

Friday in PROVO - Shopping, Bowling and Brookers

 I am having such a wonderful time in Provo.  I love having time with my kids and their spouses, and especially time with Cayson.  Today Mark and Michael worked at the hotel until 2:00 PM - Mark decided to get off early so we can enjoy some family time together.  In the meantime ...

Robert left this morning to go to St. George to see his mission buddies.  Luckily I was able to say goodbye!

I went shopping to find Jessica some maternity clothes but didn't have any luck.  I also went to Walmart for Robert's necessities.  This took most of the morning and cost about $450.  I am surprised how much prices have gone up since Jessica moved into her first apartment nearly 10 years ago.  The kids called and I finished up shopping to have lunch with the girls.

 

Once Mark and Michael got off work we all met together at Jessica's to wait for Tate to get off.  We decided to go Bowling at Fat Cat's.  Betsy got two lanes next to each other.  Tate got us a great coupon so it was only $5 per person for the lanes and the shoes.  It was all just a great time.  Sierra went over to Costa Vida and got nachos for everyone to share!  Drinks were part of the bowling package too so we all had plenty to eat and drink.  Even Cayson bowled with us using the ramp!  HE's so cute!!!!  It was a bunch of couples:  Jessica & Tate, Mark & Betsy, Marissa & Michael, Sierra and ... well not Devon (he had to work), but we tagged her with Cayson.  The hour of bowling went faster than imagined.  

 

 

 

  

From there we went to Brookers Ice Cream to see Devon.  I also arranged to meet Ali Hodge and her fiance' Chris Collard there.  I'm so excited for her!!!  They take us for a ride in their new Tesla.  We talked for over a hour just catching up!  It's great that we are close to Ali and Chris.  I'm so happy for them.  

 

Mark and I were going to drop Sierra off at her apartment, but she invited me up to watch a movie with her.  Mark went to do something, and then came back later.  Sierra and I watched Aeronauts - what a great movie!  So amazing what they did - and a true story at that!  I'm so glad that I got to spend so much time with Sierra!  It's been great to deepen our relationship!  She is a special soul. 

Family Reunion at Bear Lake - Kayak and ATV Day (Monday) (add photos)

 It's another beautiful day at Bear Lake - the sun is shining, there is a gentle breeze, and the lake looks amazing! 

Breakfast this morning was prepared by Marissa and Michael.  The are so sweet to make breakfast for us!  Everything was delicious.

Devon has to do online school from 10 AM - 12 PM so the rest of us left the house around 9:50 AM to allow him so peace and quiet while taking his class.  We walked over to the marina and rented kayaks and a paddle board.  Oh my gosh!  What a blast we had.  Mark and I started out in a two-person kayak, Jessica and Robert were also in a two person kayak, Tate was with Cayson in a one-person kayak, and Marissa and Michael were on the paddle board.  We had so much fun and got so many photos!  We rented the equipment for two hours.  After a while, everyone traded around so that everyone got a turn on the different equipment.  Mark and I had a ball on the paddle board too!  He sat or knelt down in the back while I stood in the front.  (It was too hard for both of us to stand).  I had done a paddle board before in the ocean with Marissa - but wow that was hard to find my balance - the lake was so much easier!  Mark and I had a great time.  We then let Tate and Robert have a go on the board.  Watching everyone have a great time in the water was all I needed to make my day!

Devon and Sierra were a little late coming down to rent the ATVs but luckily no one had rented them after us so the rental company let me move my rental from 12-2 to 1-3!  YAY!  We rented two ATVs.  Mark, Jessica, Tate, Cayson, Marissa and Michael took one ATV, while Devon, Sierra, Robert and I took the other one.  We each went in different directions.  Robert drove our ATV to Fish Haven where we found some wicked trails to ride.  He did an awesome job!!!  The Devon drove - YAHOO!  We had such a great time.  Sierra drove us down the mountain back towards Fish Haven and then I drove us back towards the rental.  We had some extra time so we found more trails and WOW, these trails were even more steep and treacherous than the first ones.  I loved that I was the driver for those.  I traded with Robert for the last drive!  We filled up with gas and took the ATV back - all in one piece without rolling it (or popping a tire - like Landon did a few years ago).  

Mark and his crew drove the trails that we found in the end FIRST!  They said it was crazy!  Dad drove the whole time.  At some point Jessica, Tate and Cayson got off because it was just a little too bumpy for a pregnant woman and for Cayson!  We met up with Mark at the gas station!  Our crew was looking for them the whole two hours we were out - so crazy that we eventually ran into them but just at the very end.  It sounded like they had a great time too! 

After ATV riding, Marissa and Michael made sliders for lunch for everyone - wow - those things are delicious!  We ate them all up!!!

The rest of the day was at the pool, tennis and basketball.  

Today has a sad ending, because - two families are leaving!  For dinner we were supposed to have pizza, but I decided to take everyone out to the Raspberry Shake place (which is a diner).  We got hamburgers, cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets along with delicious shakes for dinner.  This is where we had to say good bye to Jessica, Tate, Cayson and Robert.  Devon and Sierra left just an hour later!  It's so sad to see them go but we had a great time with everyone. 

Before they left, I asked, "What could we have done better?"  Everyone said it was GREAT!  They loved it!  That made me so happy!  I'm so glad everyone had a great time!!! 

Family Reunion at Bear Lake - Sunday (add photos)

 Sunday was such a fantastic day to have all the family together.  We were able to sleep in for the fist day on the vacation.  I love to sleep in - however I couldn't really sleep in so I went on the balcony overlooking the lake and read my scriptures in the solitude and solemnity of the beautiful morning air.  (I did have to spray for wasps once again).

That morning, Jessica and Tate made breakfast burritos - heavenly made!!  So delicious!!!  

After breakfast everyone got dressed for church.  Mark made assignments the night before so everyone knew their roll in the Sunday service.  I was so excited in anticipation of everyone being together and imagining the wonderful discussions we would have - more than just Mark and I (and Robert).  I was right - was a super spiritual experience.  Mark asked Tate, Devon, Robert and Michael to bless and pass the sacrament.  Then we shared a conference talk and discussed it.  What was really fantastic was dividing up the Come Follow Me discussion and listening to everyone contribute.  Church went a little longer than normal (2 hours) but it was fantastic, and I felt uplifted and spiritually fed. 

We had a bunch of left overs for lunch - salad, sliders, and sandwiches. 

Mark and I went for a lovely walk.  When we got back we ran into Jessica, Tate, and Cayson - we went with them to the playground where we played with Cayson and talked for a while.  It was so nice to have some one on one time with them.  I love our group, but I also love one on one time.  I am so happy for them.  They have such a beautiful family, that is rooted in the gospel and they share their love for each other and their child so admirably.  Tate is such a wonderful father and husband.  I feel so blessed that Jessica married such a wonderful man.  Jessica is truly a wonderful mother; she cares so much for Cayson.  She and Tate have a beautiful relationship!!!

For Dinner Tate and Jessica made the most delicious barbecue ribs for dinner along with fantastic sides of peas and potatoes.  We are spoiled - um um good!!!  Tate grilled the ribs outside - so good!!!!  

Tonight was also the perfect night to take family photos.

Tate picked a perfect spot on the lake shore.  As we arrived a family was just packing up - we quickly asked them if they would take the group photo, and they agreed!  It is one of my absolute favorite family photos!  Then we took a WHOLE LOT of photos of different groups!  So wonderful!  Everyone was patient while we rotated through the different combinations of photos wanted and needed.  

Robert's Homecoming

Robert drove all the elders to the airport for the last time along with President and Sister Hammonds.  They unloaded and said their final goodbyes to those that weren't on the same flight.  I'm so glad they got the "Coronavirus exit of Thailand"

Part of the last group leaving Thailand

Getting organized and saying goodbye to everyone!

Once inside they lined up - with protective masks ready to head back to America.

Ready to head out - just waiting to get through the line with Elder Robison 

 Robert flew from Thailand at 7:10 AM on Tuesday morning to Japan; from Japan to Denver; He landed in Denver before he left Japan because he went over the international date line.  Then from Denver to Austin.  Robert was so tired - he tried to sleep on the flight as much as he could.  When he arrived in Denver there were no restaurants open.  He arrived at Austin at 8:39 PM on the same day - even though he flew for 24 hours.

Arriving in Austin Robert got the biggest surprise.  So did his parents - Devon, Sierra and Marissa came to Austin to welcome Robert.  

Mom was so excited to see Robert.  She couldn't wait to hug him!!!

Together again with our son, so good for him to be home

Love - son - forever!!!

Pure happiness

The bros

Bros together again!!

Can we say Marissa is happy to see Robert???

Cayson is there!!!  What a precious time!!!

Cayson in the arms of Robert!!!

Reunited!  Jessica and Robert!

Robert and the baby's family!!!

Double trouble together again.

The whole group -
Jessica, Betsy, Robert, Mark, Marissa, Sierra, Devon

Siblings - Tate, Jessica, Cayson, Marissa, Sierra and Devon

BEST TWO YEARS - GREAT TO BE BACK HOME!
SO THANKFUL FOR FAMILY!!!