Joann Said

"Dada, where's Mama going?"
"To the store."
"Is she going to a garage sale?"
"No. Just the store."
"Oh. Mama likes stores."

Saturday, August 15, 2009



Another time, Joann got her stroller and her purse and said, "I'm going shopping!"

Apparently, our shopping expeditions have made quite an impression. I guess you have to shop a lot if you're going to spend very little.

Our Trip to the Park

We met Troy and Amber and company at a park in Salt Lake as a last hurrah before leaving Utah. My dear friend Liz crashed the party looking so cute, which I was thrilled about. Park pictures always turn out the best for me--or Devin--notice I'm actually in some of these. We were sad to say goodbye to the sweet kids and their parents. Maybe someday we'll actually get to spend enough time with Troy and his family--once he's not on call for months at a time anymore. Anyway, I think Devin made a lasting impression on Samuel by playing Star Wars with him.

Diamond Fork Camping Trip

My dad used to take us camping or hiking nearly once a month, it seemed. Even in the Oregon rain. This reunion camping trip made me nostalgic. I miss camping with my family! My mom is the ultimate camper. She remembers to pack everything. It was fun to help her get everything ready the day before because it reminded me of being 11 and doing the same thing. I also remembered how we always left 2-3 hours late. No exception to that rule for this trip. But when we got there, we found that the canyon was gorgeous, the conversation was fun, and the food was great. The kids had a blast playing in the water spout and the icy river and the muddy creek bed. I couldn't imagine a prettier landscape.
Joann and I got up really early one morning and took a walk over the hill. I regretted leaving my camera in the car because the light was so nice for taking pictures. We found another campsite, more secluded, for a larger group, and I started thinking about our big reunion next summer. I guess I fell in love with the area and wanted to come back! Later in the day, I showed the rest of the family the site (and since it was overcast, I got to take my pictures) and they were convinced that it was perfect for the reunion. My mother always amazes me with her knowledge of plant life. I think she had every flower named on the walk over.


Some trip highlights were when Devin made snow cones for everyone and we ran out of ice, but we couldn't convince the kids they couldn't have seconds--they just hung around like flies; when Joann bounced and dipped in the frosty water like a fish; when the boys had their "superman" contest (does anyone have a pic of this?) under the river current (who won?), and when we told the pioneer stories on the 24th. We got caught in the rain, but it didn't ruin the fabulous dinner Mom prepared. Devin and I saw a skunk on the edge of camp one night and had stinking dreams.

Something to remember: Joann at age 2 and 2 months:
Devin carried Joann up the red rock. Joann said,
"What's Kaylana doing?"
"She's hiking. Are you hiking?"
"No, I'm holding my Dada."

Devin said, "I better have steady feet or we're in trouble. Joann, do you think I have steady feet?"
"No. We're in trouble!"



I for one, did not want to come home. Three days were not long enough.

Papa Tim

Dad was all sore when we stayed at his house from scrubbing smoke off the walls of his trailer, so he layed on the floor and played with Joann a lot, which she was pleased about. They played with the money counter for hours.

Corbin

Isn't Cor-Baby the sweetest? This is how his face looks all the time--all smiles.

Visit with the Winders

We had a really nice visit with Lisa and her kids. Big Devin and Lisa made yummy Chicken Carbonara (Lisa--recipe please!). Jed came home just long enough to get sprayed by the hose, and as you can see, we had a blast eating icecream. It was wonderful to see Joann so happy to play with her cousins. And thanks for all your advice, Little Devin!

Making Rolls with Grandma

One of the trip's most exciting experiences for Joann.

Lake Powell Fun

Anita did all the girls's nails, including mine. We went to the marina to get icecream and we were all very into it (especially Joann)--it tasted SO good in the heat!

Utah Post-5

Emily hosted a family dinner at her home in Springville. We had Cafe Rio pork and lots of chocolate for dessert.

Utah Trip-4

We spent some time up in gorgeous Midway with my parents. All five of us went for a short hike near the golf course and fed the ducks in the pond. Dad took Devin golfing for his first time. We completed two rough puzzles and stayed up too late doing it. We went to see Jimmy, my mom's horse, which Joann was thrilled about. She said, "Look at all the Jimmies!" Devin straightened her out that not all horses were called Jimmy. She is fearless when it comes to animals. We walked through the stables and saw an enormous, terrifying wild stallion, and she said, "I want to go in there. I want to ride it!" Then a dog barked right in her face and Joann said, "I want to touch it," and "Bye-bye doggy."

Utah Trip-6

Lake Powell was wonderful. I was concerned about it being too hot and crowded, but everything went fine. It was 106 degrees or close to it, but I found ways to cope. There were 67 people on the trip, but somehow I found some personal space. Joann was thrilled all week long. Her dad's cousin's daughter (her second cousin?), River, is the same age, and she and Joann really connected. They would get riled up being silly with each other. (River is the one with white-blonde hair.) All week, Joann wouldn't get out of the water voluntarily. She loved the "little boat" (jet ski), and wanted to "go faster!" I did some insane tubing with 15 of Devin's couins (on three tubes--and I nearly blacked out) and I actually learned how to cut on the wakeboard (for about 1 minute each time before I got hit with a speeding lake). I am proud that both Joann and I never got sunburned. On the way home (the worst part of the trip, I have to say), I told Joann we were going back to Grandma's house, and she said, "I don't want to go to Grandma's house!! I want to go to Lake Towel!"