Here in Utah there is a state holiday commemorating when the pioneers arrived into the Salt Lake Valley. This year Jenna and I walked in the Ivins City parade with the Lee Ann Riddoch campaign again. Jenna did a great job waving, though she was busy eating popsicles and candy that everyone kept giving her. Though, the highlight for her was meeting all the Disney Princesses, especially Rapunzel who she got to take a picture with.
After the parade we stopped for some breakfast at Cravings. Delish as always! Jenna, of course, had soup. Because who doesn't love a steaming cup of broccoli cheese first thing in the morning.
And then we headed up to Zion National Park to see if we could claim a first come, first serve camping spot for all of us to go camping tonight. I couldn't believe it, as we were driving through the campground there was a doe with her two baby fawns. I swear, I could have reached out and touched them. We've spent a lot of time in Zion and I have never seen them this close before.
Well, gotta go get ready for tonights camping trip. xoxo
For our Malan Family reunion, my Aunt Janice asked me to help with invites, name tags, decorations, and centerpieces. So I've been busily preparing for the even for a while now and this weekend, it finally arrived. I decided to try the spray painted tin cans for the centerpieces. I got the idea off of Pinterest from this pin Spray Painted Cans. I ended up painting over 90 tin cans. {A big shout out to all my friends for helping track down 90+ cans!}
Jenna and I went up a couple days before so we could have a birthday dinner with my mom. Then we went the next morning to help set up the hall. While I was getting ready to go, I noticed Jenna singing to a baby doll. She let me video her (miracle!), but as you will see, was less enthusiastic about me helping her with the words.
My ancestors helped to settle Ogden's east bench, so there is a Malan Ave, a mountain Malan's Peak, etc. still bearing our family name there. It's kind of cool.
We mixed the cans with mason jars filled with rock salt and a candle, and then filled the cans with flowers and flags. I was pleased with how they turned out.
Someone had hiked Malan's Peak and brought water down from the family's spring to serve at the reunion, which I thought was an awesome touch.
My favorite part was getting a little time with my cousins. Aren't they beautiful?
We were able to grab a family picture with some of the descendants of my grandparents. The reunion was for all the descendants of my great-grandparents who at last count totaled well over 700. I would guess there were about 150 at todays reunion.
And we got a picture of my Dad and all four of his sisters. I am not sure the last time they were all together. I though it was pretty special, especially when three out of the five of them have had some pretty serious heath issues over the last few years.
Ruann, Emily, my Dad Randy, Janice, and Lisa
For the decorations, Aunt Janice and I put together these posters about my great-grandpa Alexis Bartholomew Malan and great-grandma LaVeta Elfreda Andreason Malan. As well as one of them as a couple. They seemed like great people, plus he was a democrat which made me proud!
The theme of the reunion was AB & Elfreda To The Rescue with a bit of a nautical feel. So the name tags included a life preserver with a picture of the 1 of the 13 children that you descended from. Here's mine:
We also made a bunting banner with the theme title hanging from life preservers we made using styrofoam circles wrapped in fabric and rope. I loved how this turned out.
After the reunion I got to see me niece, Maile for a little bit.
I don't get to see her very often and I miss her terribly. Love you Miles!
Jenna of course was an absolute champ on the flight home. She is just the best traveler and we could not be more grateful for that. I'm sure part of it is just that she has been doing it her whole life, but nonetheless.
It's monsoon season again and the summer squalls have been coming down. Jenna has been loving it. We have to hold her back from running out into the giant hail storms. The more time out in the rain she can get the better, which I find ironic as she is still freaked out by splash pads. Go figure.
Let me start by stating my gratitude for iPads on airplanes. Makes our life easy!
We did a very quick trip to San Diego this weekend for the wedding of my best friend from high school, Kristie Smedsrud. It was an absolutely beautiful, serene, tender, intimate affair. It was just what I imagined for her and I couldn't be more happy. She seems thoroughly smitten as does Tim and I wish them nothing but happiness and love. Congratulations Tim & Kristie!
The blurry is what happens when Casey takes the pic...love that boy.
The next morning we used our season tickets and did a couple hours at Sea World with the Quarders. We got there a little before them and so we spent a that time trying to get Jenna over her fear of giant characters. It was funny because she had to problem giving the penguin high five and was very interested in the turtle....
...but this was absolutely as close as she would get to the walrus or the otter. Wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with them. But had to problem sending mom and then dad over to say hi to the walrus and get him to wave at her. Funny, funny little girl.
After Sea World we met up with the rest of my family at my sister, Megan's new place for a birthday party for my mom. Happy birthday, Motherhead!
We tried to get pictures of her with each of the grandkids, since she is moving to Kaysville this week. I know she is not looking forward to living away from them. I think they turned out great! I have such cute nieces and nephew.
Kylie, 7
Chloe, 3
Cooper, 2
Jenna, 2
Shiloh, 2
Ashtyn, 1
After pizza and cupcakes, we all walked over to the park for some kid fun and picture taking!
With the holiday falling on a weekday this year, I agreed to stay home for the fourth with the caveat that we actually do something. Not just sit around the house which is what we (understandably) do when we we are actually in town. We ended up having an amazing day! We started out at the park where the city had set up carnival rides, booths, games, karaoke, and all sorts of fun-ness.
Jenna's first ride of the day was on the swings and she was in absolute heaven!
Then she wanted to ride the "train". {which is essentially opened up 50 gallon water barrels with wheels being pulled by a ATV} She was all for it until she realized we wouldn't be riding with her and may be out of her line of site. Check out the series of naughty looks we got until she starts to get the hang of it.
And finally we got a smile!
I totally had a Pollyanna moment loading Jenna up with corn on the cob and watermelon. I was on the hunt for a giant piece of cake like they had in the movie...no such luck.
And because we were so close, and because she's obsessed with it, we stopped so Jenna could ride the carousal. Once again, pure joy.
Then we headed home for nap time. We had sufficiently worn Jenna out that she actually took a nap! WAHOO! That evening we headed over to the SkyWest sponsored concert and firework show. It was an absolute blast. We got a great dinner, fun company, and really a fun night all the way around. Casey's brother, Matt, joined us for day. Jenna has so much fun with him.
During the concert all of the kids started to gather in front of the stage for dancing and flag waving and Jenna was all over it!
She found an older girl who took to Jenna and the next thing I know Jenna is getting a piggy back ride for like 20 minutes from this cute little gal. Jenna was thrilled.
The "firewoks" had to have been one of Jenna's favorite things. She is in no way frightened by them or the noise. They just seem to make her happy.
For the record, anything having to do with fire is called fireworks. So if she tells you that your house has firewoks, it means your house is burning to the ground and I suggest you call 911.
Bottom line, I would call this a holiday well spent...
