It was a super fun weekend. We started out for Idaho early (5AM) on Saturday morning. We made really good time. We had breakfast in the car and got to my Grandpa's around 1:45PM. Kitt and Matthew were already there and they were making greasy tacos. We added out pizza to some taco's and enjoyed lunch with them. After lunch, Gaupo worked on setting up a new TV for Grandpa-great while the rest of play outside. Kylee and I played catch for awhile. Then we picked up pine cones in the lawn to help out. Then Matthew and Kylee played catch for probably over an hour. He was such a good sport. While they were doing that, Tia was moving chairs, telling people where to sit, going in and out of the house and all kinds of things. At around 4:30 I took Kitt, Matthew, Kylee, and Tia to the greenhouses, so we could see Uncle John and Aunt Karen for a few minutes. They were having a great day at the greenhouses, and it was fun to see them and the greenhouses. We came back home and picked up Gaupo and headed to Swanlake.
The party in Swanlake was already gearing up when we got there. Grandma had made dinner for our bunch, plus a few other extend family members who were already there for the weekend. We had dinner outside. After the kids scarfed theirs down they played and played and played. Blaine and James were of course there, but there were some extra cousins too and so that was fun for them. Once we had all finished dinner and gotten cleaned up we went to the pond and joined the Moyle's (more of Grandpa's side of the family) for visiting and fishing. It was really fun to be up there and to visit, but I was also pretty tired, so I was kind of glad when it was time to come down and get the kids showered and to bed. We didn't play games, because I didn't feel up for it especially with tomorrow being Sunday.
Sunday was really fun too. It started off with the traditional pancakes for breakfast and everyone getting ready for church. We were actually ready early for church, so we watch some church videos and then headed to church early, so we could walk up to the cemetery. It was kind of nice to visit the cemetery and be just us. The girls always enjoy seeing Derek's headstone and asking all kind of questions about him and what happened. I know it might sound kind of weird, but I love those time because I feel like I get to bear my testimony about the plan of salvation and how I really do trust in the Lord and His plan for me and our family. After our walk, it was time for church. It was fun to see all the Merrill's at church. We had quite a bit of extended family at church, and so did others, so they actually had to open the overflow. I love it when the church is full. I think Grandpa was especially pleased to have so many of his family members there. During church I got to go to RS and it was a really good discussion on ministering. I asked some questions and got some answers, so I thought it was well worth going to. After church we had a big dinner. We had about 30 or so people for it. Grandma had made a great spread of turkey, ham, potatoes, and veggies. It was all delicious and no one went away hungry. As the afternoon progressed we were joined by more and more family. By 'dinner' that night we probably had about 50 people. We made homemade pizza. The kids were all 'starving,' and so they were actually really good help with making the pizza and we got 7 homemade pizzas made. It was supplemented by chips, drinks, and veggies. It was really, really good. After we had finished dinner, several of us played frisbee golf around the house. The adults in the group were Melanie, Aaron, Gary, Scott, Nate, Carley, Jared, and I. We played that for awhile and then it was kind of winding down and Carley wanted to play wiffle ball. Well, actually she probably would have loved to play softball, but we didn't have room for that so we played wiffle ball. I actually had to help get the kids down for the first part, so Gaupo went and played for a bit and I think he actually kind of enjoyed it. It was fun game. My team go pretty creamed, but it was actually still really fun. After games it was pretty late, so Nate and Carley and Aaron and Melanie went to put their kids to bed and then we all met back up at the house for games. We were going to play normal quiet games, or night games, but instead we played a game called "Up Chickens." It is really fun, or at least it was that night. We played until about 12:15 and then I called it quits, so did everyone else, but you know how it goes with the visiting after games. So, I didn't actually get to bed until about 1:00, so that made 6:00 come real early, but it was really fun and I am glad I got to know Nate and Carley a little better.
Monday started early. I got up read scriptures and then got ready, so I could help get everything ready for the day. We needed to be to the cemetery by 9:00, but before that we needed to have breakfast, potatoes and onions slices and ready for dutch oven potatoes, punch made, and make sure everything was ready to be packed in the truck to take to the pond as soon as we got back. We made and we actually made it a little early. The girls loved setting out their pinwheels and flags for Derek and then we watch the veteran's play the rights and do a gun salute. It was actually really pretty neat. Then we went back home, loaded everything into the truck, and everyone on four-wheelers and headed to the pond. When we first got there it was a lot of cleaning up and getting the girls fishing. Tia also really wanted to go in a paddle boat, so once I had helped out a little Gaupo's cousin Laura and I took her 3 kids, my 2 and another cousin out on the boat. It was really nice. The boat was kind of hard to steer, but we eventually got were we wanted to go and enjoyed being out on the pond. When we got back more family had arrived and they had brought buckets, kayaks, and a paddle board. So, the girls had fun playing with cousins in the water. I got to visit with people for a while and it was fun to see everyone just enjoying being together. Actually I told Gaupo, it was kind of like watching my Bryce family get together. We all really enjoy being together, but we definitely tend to hang around certain cousins, but it is still really fun. Shortly before lunch was ready I finally agreed to take Tia out on one of the kayaks. These kayaks are made for small people--like max weight 130. Well lets say I am more than 130 and Tia is around 35 so we were sitting pretty low in the water, but we weren't under water, so we still went out. However, not too far from shore we rocked and got thrown into the water. Tia was a champ. She started crying, but she also started swimming toward the side. I was so proud that she didn't even hesitate. She knew exactly what to do. Yes, she was crying, but I think it was more because she was cold and wet than that she was scared. Once we were back, I convinced her to go out again for just a short ride and then we went back out and got the paddle board and that was probably my favorite. It was so easy to use, it was stable, and it was so peaceful out there on the pond. After that ride, Tia and I went and got some lunch. The Merrill's have a cold salad making gene that runs in them. Seriously, they make the best salads and they are all different and good. So, I ate a lot of those and then had a burger. Once, I was done eating Kylee and I went out on the paddle board and enjoyed being together. After being out on that for a bit, we visited some more, but people had to start getting packed up and leaving. So, we got everything picked up and put away and came down to the house. There we visited some more and had some dinner and played ticket to ride and then went to bed. It was a crazy busy day, but it was so fun. There really is a special joy the accompanies good family get togethers.
Tuesday was a lot calmer. We all kind of slept in and had breakfast. We then took the kids up fishing while we waited for Jeff and Heidi to come up. It was really muddy up at the pond from the rain the night before, but it was good fishing. We caught about 4 fish. We also took a ride out in the paddle boats and played for a bit with Jeff and Heidi and their kids up there and then we came back to the house. The kids enjoyed playing together outside for a bit. We had hoggies for lunch and then Aaron and Jeff went shooting while the rest of us just hung out and visited and let the kids play. It was fun to have a smaller group and just enjoy visiting. When the boys came back they were going to take the other boys and go shoot clay pigeons, but it started to sprinkle, so they put that off and let the kids shoot a bow and arrow and BB guns. Then we had a 'heavy snack' which is code for dinner at the wrong time. After that it had stopped sprinkling, so it was time to go shot gun shooting. I somehow got to tag along. So, Gary, Aaron, Jeff, Grandpa, Gaupo, and I went shot gun shooting. It was actually really fun and I actually hit some, so that was fun too. After we spent a little longer than Jeff was suppose to doing that we came home and took the kids for a four-wheeler ride. We took them on a ride to a new road they made and showed them the new bulldozer. Then we said good-bye to Jeff and Heidi. Then my girls convinced us to take them on another ride. They wanted to go see where Gaupo got in his wreck when he was younger. We invited Melanie and Aaron to come and then did. So, we had a great ride out and then Gaupo wanted to go up on top of one of the hills and Aaron knew the way, so he lead us up. It really was a beautiful area. I have to agree with Gaupo's choices and say that is the second most beautiful place on the farm. Well when we were coming back from that my phone slip out of my pocket and I didn't realize it. Luckily-ish we found it on our way back but only after it got run over. So, yeah it doesn't work. Luckily Aaron and Melanie had a phone I could have, so I didn't lose everything, but I consequently don't have any pictures of this great weekend. Well, I haven't actually hooked up my phone to the computer yet to check, but I will but it might be later. Anyway, after we got from our ride we just enjoyed the night played some games and called it a night.
We left Wednesday morning to come home. The trip home is always super long, but we made it. It was such a great trip. I thought it was the perfect length. I was satisfied with the time I had, but would have liked more. They kids were still getting along and it was awesome. So, it was actually sad to leave while we were still having fun, but my mom always said that is when its the best time to go. In this case, I think she was right. We had so much fun playing and being with family. We were pretty exhausted, but it was totally fun and worth it.
The party in Swanlake was already gearing up when we got there. Grandma had made dinner for our bunch, plus a few other extend family members who were already there for the weekend. We had dinner outside. After the kids scarfed theirs down they played and played and played. Blaine and James were of course there, but there were some extra cousins too and so that was fun for them. Once we had all finished dinner and gotten cleaned up we went to the pond and joined the Moyle's (more of Grandpa's side of the family) for visiting and fishing. It was really fun to be up there and to visit, but I was also pretty tired, so I was kind of glad when it was time to come down and get the kids showered and to bed. We didn't play games, because I didn't feel up for it especially with tomorrow being Sunday.
Sunday was really fun too. It started off with the traditional pancakes for breakfast and everyone getting ready for church. We were actually ready early for church, so we watch some church videos and then headed to church early, so we could walk up to the cemetery. It was kind of nice to visit the cemetery and be just us. The girls always enjoy seeing Derek's headstone and asking all kind of questions about him and what happened. I know it might sound kind of weird, but I love those time because I feel like I get to bear my testimony about the plan of salvation and how I really do trust in the Lord and His plan for me and our family. After our walk, it was time for church. It was fun to see all the Merrill's at church. We had quite a bit of extended family at church, and so did others, so they actually had to open the overflow. I love it when the church is full. I think Grandpa was especially pleased to have so many of his family members there. During church I got to go to RS and it was a really good discussion on ministering. I asked some questions and got some answers, so I thought it was well worth going to. After church we had a big dinner. We had about 30 or so people for it. Grandma had made a great spread of turkey, ham, potatoes, and veggies. It was all delicious and no one went away hungry. As the afternoon progressed we were joined by more and more family. By 'dinner' that night we probably had about 50 people. We made homemade pizza. The kids were all 'starving,' and so they were actually really good help with making the pizza and we got 7 homemade pizzas made. It was supplemented by chips, drinks, and veggies. It was really, really good. After we had finished dinner, several of us played frisbee golf around the house. The adults in the group were Melanie, Aaron, Gary, Scott, Nate, Carley, Jared, and I. We played that for awhile and then it was kind of winding down and Carley wanted to play wiffle ball. Well, actually she probably would have loved to play softball, but we didn't have room for that so we played wiffle ball. I actually had to help get the kids down for the first part, so Gaupo went and played for a bit and I think he actually kind of enjoyed it. It was fun game. My team go pretty creamed, but it was actually still really fun. After games it was pretty late, so Nate and Carley and Aaron and Melanie went to put their kids to bed and then we all met back up at the house for games. We were going to play normal quiet games, or night games, but instead we played a game called "Up Chickens." It is really fun, or at least it was that night. We played until about 12:15 and then I called it quits, so did everyone else, but you know how it goes with the visiting after games. So, I didn't actually get to bed until about 1:00, so that made 6:00 come real early, but it was really fun and I am glad I got to know Nate and Carley a little better.
Monday started early. I got up read scriptures and then got ready, so I could help get everything ready for the day. We needed to be to the cemetery by 9:00, but before that we needed to have breakfast, potatoes and onions slices and ready for dutch oven potatoes, punch made, and make sure everything was ready to be packed in the truck to take to the pond as soon as we got back. We made and we actually made it a little early. The girls loved setting out their pinwheels and flags for Derek and then we watch the veteran's play the rights and do a gun salute. It was actually really pretty neat. Then we went back home, loaded everything into the truck, and everyone on four-wheelers and headed to the pond. When we first got there it was a lot of cleaning up and getting the girls fishing. Tia also really wanted to go in a paddle boat, so once I had helped out a little Gaupo's cousin Laura and I took her 3 kids, my 2 and another cousin out on the boat. It was really nice. The boat was kind of hard to steer, but we eventually got were we wanted to go and enjoyed being out on the pond. When we got back more family had arrived and they had brought buckets, kayaks, and a paddle board. So, the girls had fun playing with cousins in the water. I got to visit with people for a while and it was fun to see everyone just enjoying being together. Actually I told Gaupo, it was kind of like watching my Bryce family get together. We all really enjoy being together, but we definitely tend to hang around certain cousins, but it is still really fun. Shortly before lunch was ready I finally agreed to take Tia out on one of the kayaks. These kayaks are made for small people--like max weight 130. Well lets say I am more than 130 and Tia is around 35 so we were sitting pretty low in the water, but we weren't under water, so we still went out. However, not too far from shore we rocked and got thrown into the water. Tia was a champ. She started crying, but she also started swimming toward the side. I was so proud that she didn't even hesitate. She knew exactly what to do. Yes, she was crying, but I think it was more because she was cold and wet than that she was scared. Once we were back, I convinced her to go out again for just a short ride and then we went back out and got the paddle board and that was probably my favorite. It was so easy to use, it was stable, and it was so peaceful out there on the pond. After that ride, Tia and I went and got some lunch. The Merrill's have a cold salad making gene that runs in them. Seriously, they make the best salads and they are all different and good. So, I ate a lot of those and then had a burger. Once, I was done eating Kylee and I went out on the paddle board and enjoyed being together. After being out on that for a bit, we visited some more, but people had to start getting packed up and leaving. So, we got everything picked up and put away and came down to the house. There we visited some more and had some dinner and played ticket to ride and then went to bed. It was a crazy busy day, but it was so fun. There really is a special joy the accompanies good family get togethers.
Tuesday was a lot calmer. We all kind of slept in and had breakfast. We then took the kids up fishing while we waited for Jeff and Heidi to come up. It was really muddy up at the pond from the rain the night before, but it was good fishing. We caught about 4 fish. We also took a ride out in the paddle boats and played for a bit with Jeff and Heidi and their kids up there and then we came back to the house. The kids enjoyed playing together outside for a bit. We had hoggies for lunch and then Aaron and Jeff went shooting while the rest of us just hung out and visited and let the kids play. It was fun to have a smaller group and just enjoy visiting. When the boys came back they were going to take the other boys and go shoot clay pigeons, but it started to sprinkle, so they put that off and let the kids shoot a bow and arrow and BB guns. Then we had a 'heavy snack' which is code for dinner at the wrong time. After that it had stopped sprinkling, so it was time to go shot gun shooting. I somehow got to tag along. So, Gary, Aaron, Jeff, Grandpa, Gaupo, and I went shot gun shooting. It was actually really fun and I actually hit some, so that was fun too. After we spent a little longer than Jeff was suppose to doing that we came home and took the kids for a four-wheeler ride. We took them on a ride to a new road they made and showed them the new bulldozer. Then we said good-bye to Jeff and Heidi. Then my girls convinced us to take them on another ride. They wanted to go see where Gaupo got in his wreck when he was younger. We invited Melanie and Aaron to come and then did. So, we had a great ride out and then Gaupo wanted to go up on top of one of the hills and Aaron knew the way, so he lead us up. It really was a beautiful area. I have to agree with Gaupo's choices and say that is the second most beautiful place on the farm. Well when we were coming back from that my phone slip out of my pocket and I didn't realize it. Luckily-ish we found it on our way back but only after it got run over. So, yeah it doesn't work. Luckily Aaron and Melanie had a phone I could have, so I didn't lose everything, but I consequently don't have any pictures of this great weekend. Well, I haven't actually hooked up my phone to the computer yet to check, but I will but it might be later. Anyway, after we got from our ride we just enjoyed the night played some games and called it a night.
We left Wednesday morning to come home. The trip home is always super long, but we made it. It was such a great trip. I thought it was the perfect length. I was satisfied with the time I had, but would have liked more. They kids were still getting along and it was awesome. So, it was actually sad to leave while we were still having fun, but my mom always said that is when its the best time to go. In this case, I think she was right. We had so much fun playing and being with family. We were pretty exhausted, but it was totally fun and worth it.
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