Fun with Family & Friends

Plans hardly ever play out the way we expect them to, and that's not always such a bad thing.....

I love to travel and see the world. I accredit much of that desire to my great-Grandma Sorenson. She took me to Disneyland for the first time when I was 8. She was there when I first got to fly on an airplane at the age of 18. When I'd come up with a crazy new trip I wanted to take or something I wanted to try, she'd say "well, good" followed by a list of things I needed to see while doing it - because it was somewhere she had already been and remembered every detail about.

She travelled the world and in doing so, created an incredible example of living life and finding adventure. When I was in high school and she was 81, she took our family on a trip to So. California. She LOVED Disneyland/World. Along the way we stopped in Primm, NV at the Buffalo Bill Hotel & Casino. It has what was then the highest & fastest roller-coaster ride in the US. Grandma insisted that we all go on it, so we all did. Everyone except my dad & Morgan, that is - 'cause they both hate heights and rides. The ride attendant looked at Grandma and said "Ma'am, this is the line for the Roller Coaster". "Yes, I know" was her reply and on board she got. The ride was so insane that my sister actually passed out. Good thing they make pretty tight & sturdy seat belts! That was Grandma. She's been blind as a bat for years now, but that didn't slow her down one bit. She had her bags packed and ready to go on an Alaskan cruise the end of June.

Though it shouldn't have been much of a surprise at the age of 93, it somehow still was when I got the phone call saying that Grandma had passed away. She went peacefully as she sat down on the couch ready for bed and still upset that the Lakers had beat the Jazz in the playoff games.

With this news, we made arrangements to bump up my planned trip to UT. I'd really wanted to be there over the 4th & for the Ute Stampede, etc.... or for a family reunion at the end of July. After discussing (& disagreeing) on options - I got to drive up alone with Ashlyn instead of flying (which is what I wanted) and I agreed to be home in AZ for the 4th of July weekend (which is what Derek wanted). He had to stay down here to work and taking 2 weeks off was out of the question after our other recent travels.

So Ashlyn & I left a week later. Drove up all day on Thursday, June 17th & made it in time to be there for Grandma's funeral the following day. Ashlyn was such a trooper and did great in the car. Including one potty stop & a layover in Page for some playtime at the park, we made it to Salina in about 10 hours flat.

Streaker on the loose! Ash running away to get a little "fesh air" during a diaper change.

I don't know why we bother with getting her toys. Ashlyn was so excited to find all kinds of sticks under this big tree and gather them into a pile.

We rolled into my mom's in time for a late dinner that night. Friday was spent at the funeral service. It was such a celebration of life and I was happy to get to see all kinds of cousins & family I haven't seen in ages. With Grandma's 15 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren and 45 great-great-grandchildren, there were plenty of hugs & fond memories.

Saturday we were able to spend more time with my great-aunt Inee in the assisted living home. That night we went with my mom, brothers, sister-in-law, & niece to see the hot air balloon festival . The girls had a great time! Little Divas!

KaraLee posin' for the camera - what a ham! Keeeping the 2 yr olds corralled in the truck bed! Ash with Uncle Clint, KaraLee, & Uncle Morgan.

On Sunday, Ash & I went to church at my dad's ward in Fayette. Then we spent the day with Dad & Virginia and took a ride to Santaquin & Herriman to see Aunt's Mitizi, Pam, & Jerilynn and drop off some of their inherritted furniture. Guess I should have taken some pictures that day.

On Monday, Ash and I were headed to Salt Lake to spend some time with Derek's side of the family. On the way, we met up with Rachel to see her cute boys and spend some time in the water. So fun!

By the time I made it to Sandy, I received another unfortunate phone call. My aunt Inee, as we called her, had passed away that day. She was 90 & her health had been declining for a while. Though it was not completely unexpected, you're never quite prepared for those calls. She was a strong and quiet person, never drawing attention to herself. She had such a kind heart & sweet spirit. A survivor of the great depression, being a WWII Navy wife, cancer, and surpassing all of her siblings in longevity, she was such a source of strength and inspiration in our family. Not that I was glad this had happened, I was happy that I could be there at the time - to at least be in the state, to have just been able to visit with her, and to be there for the services.

Heather & cousins Madelyn, Spencer, & Brynleigh came down to spend some time at Grandma and Grandpa Pulsipher's too. It was great to see them all - I can't believe how fast these kids grow when we only get to see them every 6 months! We went to see Toy Story 3, got to relax a bit, went to the Zoo, and had lots of fun. Wishing I would have taken more pictures while we were with them, too...Bird show at the zoo - some of the birds clipped our heads when flying by. The kids weren't quite sure what to think about that. Spencer, Ashlyn, Madelyn, & Grandma Pulsipher.

We did get this fun picture with the hind ends of the mom & baby elephants.

After a couple days in Salt Lake, Ash and I headed off to my sister's in Altamont. They moved and are running a motel there, so it was fun to go see their new place.They also have a new baby lamb that Ashlyn thought was just the greatest!

Jazlyn & Ashlyn on the ol' school pony ride. Can you tell who's the pro here?

Now that she's had a bit of practice, Ash was ready to try the real thing... It didnt' last long. Once she was on the horse, she didn't quite know what to do with it and was ready to get down.

On Friday, it was time to head back to Gunnison. My dad came out to pick Mariah up, (since I didn't have enough room for all of us in my little car) and we all caravaned back. Yes, it was a long day of driving - especially for my poor dad. What a nice guy!

We made it just in time to pass everyone on their way out the door to the Relay for Life. We got ready then then it was off to the high school to meet them all. I had no idea what to expect and now that I know, will be much more prepared for next year. So much fun! Fundraising booths, old friends, food, games, & an auction all to raise money for cancer research & awareness.

Being a survivor herself, Virginia was asked to be the guest speaker for the Luminary Cerimony. She gave an awesome speech!

That was about 10:30 at night. You see, it all starts around 6pm and goes till 6am. Yah, I didn't realize so my poor child was completely wore out & passed out asleep during the silent walk around the track following Grandma Virginia's talk. Good thing my dad was prepared with some tents & blankets!

Jazlyn was still wide awake and enjoyed a yummy cupcake, which also ended up all over Aunt 'Shelle's shirt.

Mariah & I left with the kids around 1:30am. We barely made it back to my dad's and into bed with no energy left. I think the rest the family lasted a couple more hours before packing it all in.

We got up - yes, still in the same clothes as the night before, and went over to my Mom's where she was waiting for the kids to come play in the pool that blew into her yard during a storm. This was way better than having an actual bath!

Somehow, it all turned into a big water fight and we all ended up drenched!

My camera hasn't quite worked the same since - I'm going to blame it on Morgan (or "Goman as Ashlyn calls him) and send him an invoice when I get a new one! ~tee, hee~

Grandma Vonnie gave up running away and thought it'd be easier to just jump in the pool herself! So fun!

That night, Clint & Celicia invited us all up to Maple Grove to go roast hotdogs & marshmallows. I had such a good time & miss being able to do things like that.

Looks like all the girls enjoyed it too!

Sunday was spent with family and at Inee's viewing that evening. Her funeral services were held on Monday. Though another emotional occasion, it was great to see family that I haven't spent time with in ages. Miss you all!

That night Ashlyn had a sleep over at Grandma Vonnie's. I got some "me" time and went north to meet my friends Tonya & Rachel for a kid-free dinner. We haven't done that in quite a while and it was great to just be able to sit and chat with them. I came back and stayed at my Dad's that night to get ready & pack up for the drive back to Phoenix the next day.

Though it was a slow & go morning, I'm glad my dad was there to help me check out the car & tires before taking off. I picked up Ashlyn from my mom's, said more tearful goodbye's and made it as far as Richfield. There we had to stop at the grocery store to pick up & pack a cooler full of Derek's burritos. Got some Wendy's and we were offically on the road again. We stopped once in Page on the way back and made it home that night.

These beautiful flowers were waiting for me on the counter... so sweet!

It's nice to be back with my cute husband after nearly 2 weeks away. Glad the maiden voyage of me driving alone is out of the way. He's thinking of coming with next year though & that's just fine with me!

The next morning, Derek came down the stairs just in time to find a visitor scurrying across the kitchen floor. Though we find lizzards all over outside, this is the first little guy that's made it into the house - that we know of anyway.

Hard to tell, but you can see his head peeking out between the couch cushion and back by the big crack.

Ahhh.....it's good to be home.....just not lovin' the 115 degree weather!

Miss & Love Ya'll ~ Thanks for Everything!