Friday, May 22, 2015
STEM Fair
Clifford recently had to take part in the STEM Fair. All the kids in 4th and 5th grade picked a science experiment of their choosing. They then had to do the experiment and create a poster board with their results. We were given the project to do a month ago, but of course waited until the last minute to do it (ugh). We helped Clifford out (which parent participation was fine) and he turned it in the day before we had to leave for Utah. This last Thursday all the projects were displayed for parents to come see.
Utah Trip / Marie's Wedding
Well, we survived our trip to Utah!!!
Honestly, Peter and I weren't looking forward to this trip. For one, the last time we traveled to Utah we got deathly sick. We had to stop while in Idaho on our way home to check into a motel so we could take turns in the bathroom, and I ended up making a trip to the hospital for an IV. That was almost 10 years ago, but those horrible memories are still fresh in our minds. Second, the drive there is long....and boring. And the final decision was for us to go in the RV with his parents and niece/nephews. Even though we would be traveling in style, we'd be confined in space with 9 other people. Then the fact that while in Utah, Peter's entire immediate family would be spending time together....that's a total of 12 adults and 16 kids, all with a wide-range of personalities!!! I go stir-crazy just being around my little family, so I wasn't sure how I'd feel spending so much time with everyone else.
Well, let me just say this....the trip turned out to be enjoyable. The drive to and from was still way too long and tiring, but it gave us a chance to spend time with our niece and nephews. Our days in Utah were busy with getting ready for the wedding, but we were able to squeeze in some fun. And spending time with everyone while in Utah wasn't that bad. I think it helped that we all had our own hotel room to go to at the end of each day (verses if this was some sort of gathering at his parents house where you can't exactly escape to somewhere quiet).
So here's the story of our trip and the many pictures/video that we took. Unfortunately, some potentially great pics turned out blurry on my phone. I know others have tons of pics from their awesome cameras, plus there was a wedding photographer. If I'm lucky enough to get copies of those pics, I'll share those in a future blog post :)
Tuesday
Peter got off work early, so once the boys made it home from school, we headed out of town to make our way to Yakima. There was discussion on how early we'd be leaving the next morning. Majority wanted to leave by 6 am, so that night Peter and I helped load up the RV so it was ready to go for an early departure!
Wednesday
We made it out on the road by 6:30 am and spent the next 10 hours in the RV. Only one kid threw up during the trip. I myself was dealing with a little motion sickness and took a few naps. Other than it being a long car ride, the trip wasn't bad at all.
Once we made it to our hotel, we greeted everyone who had already arrived, checked in to our room, and then headed to the pool. It felt great to be out of the RV and to stretch our legs. Afterwards, a group of us walked over to a restaurant for a late dinner.
Thursday
After a complimentary hotel breakfast, Kristjan and I headed out with the girls (minus Jessica) to get manicures and pedicures. Kristjan was so excited to get his first real pedicure. All week long before the trip he kept telling me how he couldn't wait to go. I loved his excitement. He was hoping to get a different color on each toe, but I told him that was a little much. He first picked out a gold glittery polish, but I knew he wanted a flower drawn on his toe, so he switched it out for a reddish-orange. We were a big group, so he sat there patiently waiting for his turn.
Friday
Officially the wedding day! The Temple Marie and Scott picked to get married in was an extra two hour drive from where we were staying. So we had to get up super-duper early in order to pack ourselves into the RV by 7 am. Peter and I watched kiddos while the adults went in. Afterwards was pictures, followed by a nice luncheon put on by Scott's family. Then back in the RV to head back to the hotel. Peter and I had some downtime, so we dropped the boys off into Dee & Steve's room and went for a long a walk and grabbed some coffee. After that, we headed to the church to help with any finishing touches before the start of the reception. The party itself was a lot of fun. When all was over, it was time for cleanup, making our way back to the hotel, and finally packing our stuff up. It was after midnight when Peter and I finally called it a day.
Honestly, Peter and I weren't looking forward to this trip. For one, the last time we traveled to Utah we got deathly sick. We had to stop while in Idaho on our way home to check into a motel so we could take turns in the bathroom, and I ended up making a trip to the hospital for an IV. That was almost 10 years ago, but those horrible memories are still fresh in our minds. Second, the drive there is long....and boring. And the final decision was for us to go in the RV with his parents and niece/nephews. Even though we would be traveling in style, we'd be confined in space with 9 other people. Then the fact that while in Utah, Peter's entire immediate family would be spending time together....that's a total of 12 adults and 16 kids, all with a wide-range of personalities!!! I go stir-crazy just being around my little family, so I wasn't sure how I'd feel spending so much time with everyone else.
Well, let me just say this....the trip turned out to be enjoyable. The drive to and from was still way too long and tiring, but it gave us a chance to spend time with our niece and nephews. Our days in Utah were busy with getting ready for the wedding, but we were able to squeeze in some fun. And spending time with everyone while in Utah wasn't that bad. I think it helped that we all had our own hotel room to go to at the end of each day (verses if this was some sort of gathering at his parents house where you can't exactly escape to somewhere quiet).
So here's the story of our trip and the many pictures/video that we took. Unfortunately, some potentially great pics turned out blurry on my phone. I know others have tons of pics from their awesome cameras, plus there was a wedding photographer. If I'm lucky enough to get copies of those pics, I'll share those in a future blog post :)
Tuesday
Peter got off work early, so once the boys made it home from school, we headed out of town to make our way to Yakima. There was discussion on how early we'd be leaving the next morning. Majority wanted to leave by 6 am, so that night Peter and I helped load up the RV so it was ready to go for an early departure!
Wednesday
We made it out on the road by 6:30 am and spent the next 10 hours in the RV. Only one kid threw up during the trip. I myself was dealing with a little motion sickness and took a few naps. Other than it being a long car ride, the trip wasn't bad at all.
Clifford, Kristjan, Howard, and Eldon (in the background) chowing down on some breakfast
The group of boys making themselves confortable
Kristjan sitting on the "kitchen" floor while we're somewhere between "here" and "there"
We're ridin' in style!
Playing a game of Tag during our first rest stop
Clifford being a whiny butt because I made him wear sandals
Snoozin'
Clifford and Kristjan clowning around
Our first trip where I packed light. Honestly!
Enjoying a dip
Headed out for dinner
Bedtime! After munching on some popcorn, they quickly passed out.
After a complimentary hotel breakfast, Kristjan and I headed out with the girls (minus Jessica) to get manicures and pedicures. Kristjan was so excited to get his first real pedicure. All week long before the trip he kept telling me how he couldn't wait to go. I loved his excitement. He was hoping to get a different color on each toe, but I told him that was a little much. He first picked out a gold glittery polish, but I knew he wanted a flower drawn on his toe, so he switched it out for a reddish-orange. We were a big group, so he sat there patiently waiting for his turn.
Our Group (Dee is behind the camera)
Kristjan picking out some polish
Our group getting pampered
Dee providing entertain for the kids (and adults!)
Kristjan's Toes
My first gel manicure :)
Back at the hotel/RV for a quick lunch before heading out to the aquarium
Our family trip to the aquarium. There was enough of us that each kid under 10 had a partner, who then had an adult partner. Worked out really nice and less stress for the adults to keep track of all their kiddos.
All the kids patiently waited 40 minutes for the shark feeding. Just a small video clip at the beginning.
Joci making a pressed penny
Kristjan and Clifford with their souvenir
After our trip to the aquarium, everyone headed over to the church to start setting up and prepping food for the reception. All was good, until I slipped on a puddle of water. My foot slid right under the refrigerator, slicing the top of my right baby toe and slamming my left knee to the ground. Dee helped patch me up and back into the kitchen I went. But then 20 minutes later, I sliced my thumb. At that point I was officially kicked out of the kitchen.
I didn't have my camera with me at the initial incident....here's my toe a few days later.
Peter fixing my finger up. Holden was very concerned for me and came into the women's bathroom to see my newest wound.
Some scrumptious Mexican food was delivered for dinner
Tad seemed to like hanging out with Uncle Peter
Naughty!! Naughty!!
[ no worries Roxcy, he made sure it was completely empty :) ]
Peter took a break from set up to ride along while Travis practiced driving
[notice the fear on his face]
Holden and Alice telling everyone to hurry up
Another night of swimming and staying up way too late
Officially the wedding day! The Temple Marie and Scott picked to get married in was an extra two hour drive from where we were staying. So we had to get up super-duper early in order to pack ourselves into the RV by 7 am. Peter and I watched kiddos while the adults went in. Afterwards was pictures, followed by a nice luncheon put on by Scott's family. Then back in the RV to head back to the hotel. Peter and I had some downtime, so we dropped the boys off into Dee & Steve's room and went for a long a walk and grabbed some coffee. After that, we headed to the church to help with any finishing touches before the start of the reception. The party itself was a lot of fun. When all was over, it was time for cleanup, making our way back to the hotel, and finally packing our stuff up. It was after midnight when Peter and I finally called it a day.
Rebecca hanging out with Uncle Peter
Ezuire and Emma getting all dolled up
Manti Temple
At the luncheon. Didn't take many pics here....it started to storm, so most went to sit in their cars
View from our walk
Found coffee in Utah!
At the reception
At the end of the night....kiddos piled in to watch a video while the remaining adults finished the last of the cleaning
Boys exhausted (and cuddling!)
Saturday
Another early morning for all of us as we loaded back into the RV for the long drive home. We arrived in Yakima after 8 pm. Peter decided to go ahead and make the extra two hour drive to our place. We made it home after midnight. Felt good to be finally be home :)
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