Payson and I were gone for three weeks in the West, and in those three weeks we got three new family members! Josh came out for 5 days in the middle of our trip, so it was a long time without him, but we had fun! We are also glad to be back with him!! Our first new family member is my new Sister-in-law and Payson’s new Aunt Laura. Jarom, Josh’s brother, married Laura Potts in the Salt Lake City Temple. She is actually from Chicago, and grew up in the ward we are currently in. Last summer we got to know her a little bit, and found out she was going to BYU. Josh had the brilliant idea of setting her up with Jarom, who lives in Utah. I put Josh’s idea into practice, and sure enough- the two hit it off!! We are so glad they did because Laura is a great girl and we are glad to have her as a new sister!!
Jarom and Laura’s wedding colors were pink and yellow. Laura’s side wore pink, and Jarom’s side wore yellow. I thought it would be fun to make Payson’s shorts and matching bowtie for the wedding. Too bad he didn’t want to pose too much for the camera when I was trying to get pictures of him in his cute attire outside of the Temple!! Some of the pictures I snuck while someone was making him laugh. Other pictures were just of him making grumpy faces!
Between the wedding and the luncheon we walked through the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Temple square. We stopped by the Family History Library, where the senior missionaries talked us into getting a souvenir photo with their special background. It was free, and we had time to kill, so the nice senior missionary took a couple for us.
Before the wedding day, Payson and I spent some time with Josh’s family. Molly, Sadie, and I threw Laura a bridal shower one day, but the other days were pretty much fun days for Payson!! He found Mimi’s (Deana) drawer full of plastic cups and bowls. He spent time jumping on the trampoline with Uncle Spencer and Grandpa, and we went swimming at Cherry Hill, where Payson went down the water slides with me.
After the wedding, Josh went home to Chicago to go back to work, and I went to Idaho!! After Brant took his boys and Aaron to the 24th of July parade in Salt Lake, he picked us up, and took us to my parent’s house. Of course, Tina was there when I got there with her very pregnant belly!! In fact, I talked to her baby belly, and told my niece to come out so I could see her!! Well, guess what happened? She came that night!! (Well, early early the next morning- like around 3:21 am). The boys stayed with us at my parent’s and we all went to see their new baby sister (Rebekah Jean) at the hospital in Idaho Falls the next day. Did you know my sister and brother in law have three boys, and this is their first girl? Yep! She is a pretty loved little girl! Those boys adore her!
I spent some time at my sister’s house- trying to help out!! Payson had fun playing with his cousins and I had fun playing with them, as well, but I have to admit- it was fun when all four little boys were in bed, and I got to hold that little princess!! It almost made me want and other one!! Then, I would wake up the next morning- help 4 little boys make German pancakes for breakfast and run out of energy before 10 am playing with them!! The thought of wanting another one kind of disappeared! :-) I love those little boys, but now I know why we don’t often have quadruplets!! We are blessed with our kids a couple years apart so we can get use to each one!!!
I spent the rest of my time in Idaho going through my bedroom and school boxes at my parent’s house. They moved to St. George this week, and I had a lot of stuff to go through!! It was an adventure with my Pay, but my mom and Aaron were both very helpful!! I was able to see my grandparents, and some friends, as well! Next time I go “home” it will be a whole new house in a new city, but I’m excited for my parent’s new adventure, and I think they will really love St. George!
Our last stop was Parker, CO, where Benji and Kayla just moved to. This is where we met our third new addition to the family. My little niece, Alexis Michelle, was born Sunday, August 4th on her due date. She is a little angel, and I think both nieces will become the best of friends! We went to the hospital to see Kayla and Alexis the day they got to come home, so we weren’t there too long. That night Benji and Kayla were nice enough to let us stay at there place- even though it was there first night home. Grace, Kayla’s mom was there to help! Benji and Kayla are just thrilled to have their first little baby!! She has high billi rubin, and had to be in the lights, so we didn’t get to hold her very much, but she is just precious!!
The trip was wonderful, and we loved seeing everyone!! Thank you family who let us stay at your houses, eat your food, and who played with Payson! He has grown so much from being around everyone!!
