Fun out West

We just returned from a two week trip to Utah and Nevada (translation: long post). It was so great to see so many great friends and all of our family that lives out there. Thanks to everyone who went out of their way to coordinate get-togethers, and especially to our parents who we completely exhausted (hopefully they are taking a nap right now). We are a little tired, too, and a little confused on which time zone we are in, even Rachel. It always takes awhile to get back into "reality" but we sure are grateful for the fun times! Here is a synopsis:

Savannah loves her aunts' pedicures

All the Grandmas love to spoil the kids out there

Our cute and chubby! munchkin had
a "photo shoot" with aunt Lindsi


ADVENTURES WITH GRANDPA G

Trevor has always wanted to help my Dad hang Christmas lights. You can see by his face that it was everything he had hoped. And he loved that it made my Mom really nervous to have them out there on the ladders. Savannah mostly played in the tree.







My cute Dad planned an afternoon with Trev to build birdhouses with some spare wood he had. Trevor waited excitedly for him to get home from work and then LOVED every minute of this project. He wanted to bring home the safety goggles because he thought they were super cool.




GOLFING WITH DAD AND GRANDPA G


SHOOTING
There is a crazy, redneck:) side of my family that loves things like shooting clay pigeons. I have to say I had a great time staying home with the baby and relaxing:) but the rest of my family enjoyed a fun day in the UT desert with friends and family. Savannah totally loved it - who knew there could be this side to our little princess? And my littlest sister, also a princess, shot 8 clay pigeons in a row! At least they are well-rounded, right!?


Note Trevor's BYU Cougars hat - a gift from Grandpa L. This was the day of the HUGE rivalry game between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. I have always found the whole rivalry a little over the top (sorry Utahns!) and so I cheer for the U just to razz my hubby and in-laws (love ya!). My siblings have gone/go to the U as well. Trevor LOVED the trash talking and was furious when the room he was to sleep in at my parents' house was decorated in Utah red balloons, pom poms, and posters!!! It was too funny. And in the end, the UTES prevailed - wahoo!


RACHEL'S BLESSING DAY
We decided to have Rachel blessed in Utah amongst our family and friends there. It was so wonderful to see so many people and feel that support. A very special day for a super sweet baby . . .

THANKSGIVING IN NEVADA
Ashkii's mom grew up on a farm in NV and it is tradition to go out for Thanksgiving. It has been awhile since we've been out, and we are so grateful we were able to go this year. The kids have a BLAST with all the cousins and second cousins. Savannah was ECSTATIC to find out that she has GIRL COUSINS!!! "How come I never knew this?" she asked us. Too funny. All of her first cousins are boys, so this was REALLY good news:). She and Kalea bonded instantly. The boy cousins enjoyed being all together. Trevor is still missing them.

The weekend was JAM-PACKED (as all trips involving my hubby's family are:) with activities: riding four wheelers, kayaking, bowling, playing football and ultimate frisbee, visiting the local museum, grinding corn on the farm, riding the cow train through the corn maze (sorry, I know this should have been pictured), and visiting with great-grandparents, of course! I relaxed at the hotel and read a lot while Rachel was napping, which was a nice change of pace. And some of us girls went to see Twilight, too. We had a GREAT time . . .