30th Birthday Surprise/ Family Reunion June 2011

We took off on June 15 for Utah from Seattle. Ryan's birthday as you know was the 13th of June. I had put together a surprise party to happen on the 16th at his friends house. I HAVE NEVER been able to get Ryan with any surprise and I was BOUND and DETERMINED to get HIM!!!

We only had one day really before we left to be with family. He had asked a few buddies to come and hang out on the 16th ( THURSDAY) both of them said they had to work late but could come over later. I put a QUICK stop to that by texting them and telling them THEY WERE TO TELL HIM THEY COULD NOT COME AT ALL!!!! I wanted to get him GOOD!!! Ryan's face was SOOOOOOOOOO sad when both of them texted sorry man cant make it to see you!! ( mind you he hasnt seen them for over 2 years! ). We went to dinner with my parents and brothers family and I was STALLING so bad to get back to his friends house where everyone was suppose to be there and waiting to YELL SURPRISE!!!

We get to the house and he goes around the back and there are all our dear friends from college, missionary buddies, and close friends from church waiting to yell SURPRISE!!!

I GOT HIM SOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!! It was so cool to see his face and how happy he was!

Here is a picture of him blowing out his candles!

I wish I would have been better with the camera but I wasn't and didn't get any other shots!!! SHAME SHAME! It will have to be a memory moment!!! 

FRIDAY JUNE 17th

I wish I could say we were the type of family that gets together every Summer with extended Aunts and Uncles and all the cousins! It has never been that way for our family. This year was pretty special though. My Grandma and Grandpa turned 80. ( mom's parents). My Grandma has been thinking about her 80th birthday for quite sometime now and really wanted it to be special. My mom and her sisters started to plan things last July in advance for the BIG weekend the following June. Even though the plans changed many times my brother and parents tried our hardest to make sure my Grandma and Grandpa had a good time.

My Grandma was recently diagnosed with terminal Cancer. We were hoping that she would be able to make the party in June when we were told in January that she had cancer. Prayers were answered and she was able to make it BUT it was very hard on her and she did not feel well most of the time we were together. I know it meant a lot to her to have 3 of her 5 girls there and their families.

My intermediate family met in SLC for a day together before we went to Vernal to my Aunts house for the birthday party. I hadnt seen my parents or brother for almost 2 years. It was so WONDERFUL to be around the again. It is NEVER long enough though. It seems I only get a day or so when they come. I wish so bad that someday it can be more like a week but who knows.

We went to Temple Square and walked around. My nephew really wanted to climb a mountain so we climbed Ensign Peak! Ryan of course became the favorite right away and the kids couldnt get enough of him!!

Here are a few shots of the day!

SATURDAY JUNE 18th

The next day we all met down in Vernal. Here is a few shots of all of us there and with my grandparents

My mom and her 2 other sisters

My brother and I with my Grandma

Ryan and I with my Grandparents

It was REALLY hard to see my Grandma so sick. She has always been so healthy and so on the go! I know I dont have very much time with her and it hurts my heart so very much!!! I remember when I first found out and I sat and talked to her! She told me how much she loved me and how proud she was of me. She told me that she had no regrets and that she lived her life the best she could. I asked her with tears running down my face if she would watch over me from the other side and check in on me. She told me she would do that and that she OBVIOUSLY had a job to do on the other side! I asked what is that? She told me to see what is going on up there and to send my babies down to me! She said she has some words to say when she gets there!!! She made me smile. She is such an example of a RIGHTEOUS WOMAN! She has served the LORD her whole life and I am so grateful she is my grandma for eternity. Although I know my time is running out with her I know that we will meet again and how sweet that day will be!

SUNDAY JUNE 19th 

The next day Ryan and I took off for Vegas, my brother's family took off for Heber to spend with my sister in laws family, and my parents headed home. It was so VERY short for not seeing them for such a LONG time! Ryan and I are going to go HOME to Chicago this XMAS and I hope to spend more time with my family. 

Here are a few shots I took Sunday Morning before we all took off:

I am so glad that I was able to see my family! I love them so very much! It is always hard to say goodbye but thank goodness XMAS is always right around the corner! 

And of course when it is all said and done nothing is better than being with Ryan!