Scott Wells Family Reunion

This is a tradition that started a few years ago. My family really does get together quite a bit in perspective, but I think this is a special opportunity when we can get together and grow together as well. We usually start the day off with a service project. This year we met in Pine Valley and worked on a few projects up at the cabin. I can't tell you how much I love to work along side my family and how much it means to me to see everyone working together. It is probably my favorite part of the reunion, even though I usually am the one babysitting while everyone works around me and ... all the babies. 

Next we play together. Traci put together some rockin' awesome "Minute to Win-it" games for both the adults and the kids. My favorite was the Cheeto head toss. Also Shana vs. Mandy Tissue pull was epic with a sketchy win on Shana's part. (I'm pretty sure she pulled out more than one at a time). 

Next we learned together. My purpose in planning this reunion was to teach my nieces and nephews a little about their grandma and grandpa and the Scott Wells family proper. I created this family Jeopardy, in hopes that they would learn a few things. It was a fun experience, to see what they did and mostly what they didn't know. For one, they didn't know their Grandpa Wells' full name. For two they didn't know that he served a mission in Finland. For three, it was assumed that Mason was the Thespian in the family, not Traci or Kyle. I think I know the topic of discussion for at least 5 of our Family Home Evenings for the next couple of months. My kids are still young, but these are the things I would like them to know about their family. I hope I can teach it to them. 

The kids all helped me make this piece of art for Mom to hang above her bed in Pine Valley. I think it turned out pretty cool. 

I always like to end the day with Achievement Awards. Nothing ends a day like a pat on the back in the form of a certificate and dollar store prize. And this night was no exception. The prizes ended up being the nights culminating activity for the kids. The adults sat on the porch and watched as they all bartered and begged for the other's prize. They were cheap enough too that I think several made it to the trash before they even made it to the car. Regardless. I think a good time was had by all. 

 We also have a new addition to the family. Meet Santa Maria de las Valles de Pina. She was found at the Pine Valley dump and the boys gave her a new home in the Tee-pee. (I don't even know the Teepee's story).

4th of July

No Holiday is complete with out matching outfits anymore. 

4th of July has always been one of my most favorite holidays. Mostly because the traditions are simple and usually no one complains about who's doing what, or where's it going to be.

We come. We eat pizza. We watch fireworks. We leave. 

A lot of my family got together up in Pine Valley during the day, but MY family (James and the girls) we decided to take it easy. We stayed at my mom's house, and really didn't do a lot during the day. I think we were tired from the events of the week before and the few days spent with James family that was visiting St. George. 

Around 5:00 pm, Traci's family showed up and it was fun to reacquaint the kids and get settled before we headed up to Grandma's house. Everyone gathered and we had a good time eating lots of pizza and watching the kids play. Lucy got in the swing and was in that swing for nearly 2 hours, while various cousins came and took their turn pushing her. 

We got a quick 5 or 10 minute downpour of rain to cool everyone down. It seemed to really bring a new energy to the party and the kids seemed to spunk up and play even harder than they were previous to the drenching. 

James took the kids home early, and I was able to enjoy the fireworks, from my grandma's street with family. It was a lot of fun, and made for a memorable holiday. 

I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave their lives for me... so I'll proudly STAND UP! (boom boom boom) and defend her still today. For there aint no doubt I love this land. God Bless the USA! (Sing it loud and be proud.)

Deming

President Baca was the cook this time. He did a mighty fine job. 

The feast... I'm still salivating. 

President Baca made some water balloons for Lucy. She loved it!

Sister Garcia made me this scarf. I love this lady. She always made me happy, and green enchiladas. 

Grandpa's Garden

 Lucy loves to help Grandpa water the garden. She especially loves to get dirty and and wash her hands over and over again.

Silver City

James finished his first year of graduate school! WooHoo! We decided to head down to Silver City for a little break from the heat and to see Grandma and Grandpa. Lucy and Molly were sick the week before we were supposed to leave but we thought nothing of it because they had plenty of time to recover from the cold's that were ailing them. Molly did recover quickly, but Lucy started to get worse. And on the day we were supposed to leave, she had a fever above 103. So we decided to postpone the trip at least another day. She woke up the next morning with a fever, but by the middle of the day had broken the fever, so we decided to head down the road. The fever did come back and it was a pretty miserable trip, but we made it. The girls slept pretty good, but Lucy and I stayed home from church on Sunday and sent everybody else out the door. 

Sunday evening we spent the day lounging around the house, helping Grandpa water the garden and playing a few games. It was a lovely evening, but lead to an awful night. For some reason neither Lucy or Molly cared to sleep Sunday night. This turned Monday into a bit of a recovery day for James and I. I think we spent 75% of the day in PJ's and making sure the girls got good naps so they would sleep better the next night. James and I did get out and join Craig for his Arthritis Aquatics class. Basically it was a water aerobics class for "older people." We had fun though. It made me feel very young if nothing else.

Tuesday we headed down to Deming to see a few of friends from my mission. I like to let the Baca's know we are coming because they are always willing to put on a feast that never disappoints. President Baca decided he wanted to cook for us this time. Oh my goodness it was good. I love real home-cooked Mexican food. I took some home and ate it the rest of the week. I could go on and on about how much I love beans, rice and corn tortillas. I really could live off of those three things alone and be happy. I'm done. 

Look at that drool down her chest. 

Sister Baca rounded up a couple others from the branch that I loved. It was so much fun to sit and chat (in spanish). 

Deming does not only hold a special place in my heart because of my mission, but also because it was where James and I had our first date and really where we fell in love, as cheesy as it sounds. When I first traveled down there four years ago, I thought it was just a joy trip to see a few of my favorite people before I got too busy with graduate school, to do anything else. I had no idea that that trip would change my life forever. It's such a good story that never gets old. I never tire of telling it and I never tire of listening to James tell it. (I'll spare you all for now). 

Young Aunt Anna and her little twin. 

We drove around a little bit and relived a little bit of the nostalgia and then headed back up the road to Silver City. 

Wednesday, we spent out on the town. We went to Penny Park, and down town area to get our Alotta Gelato. It is an Italian Ice place that we have to visit every time we visit. SO YUMMY! We had to kill some time to wait for it to open but we made it and it is always so worth the wait. We went swimming that night with the girls and overall had a delightful day. 

Peek-A-Boo!

We left Thursday and made it to Pheonix, where we spent the night because driving the entire 9 and 1/2 hours in one day was ridiculous, and we vowed to never take a trip that long until our kids are grown and out of the house (or car.. I guess). Five hours is my max. That could get us a lot of places. Like, Disneyland, St. George, even Bountiful to see my sister, if we spent a night in St George before we left. I'm good with that. 

We drove the rest of the way on Friday morning and actually it was a delightful drive. 

Friday and Saturday we spent running around, getting everything ready for the next trip to St. George for another week. And that is where we are currently for until next Sunday.

A few other things that happened this week.

It really has been one CRAZY week.

*James left the house dressed in a shirt and tie pretty much every day this week, because he had presentations pretty much everyday. It was also his birthday this week, which we squeezed in the middle of all the academic madness.
*The girls and I made it to the pool three different times this week, to really kickoff the 110-114 degree weather we experienced.
*Wednesday we went to the Discovery Children's Museum with our friends the Pope's.  Then we spent the rest of the day pulling off the greatest (not really) birthday surprise ever! It was actually pretty simple but it was a lot of work for one Mom lugging around two kids. We picked up some cookies, balloons and I made a birthday poster that we dropped off at one James' classmates house the night before. They had it all set up when James walked into class the next morning. It was the greatest because he thought it was going to be just another day and we would celebrate later. I had different plans. I wanted him to feel special on his actual birthday. The girls and I decorated the house when he left that morning, so he came home to yet another birthday poster, balloons, presents, and his birthday cake which I made that morning while he was in class. He also rode his bike to school, that I got all fixed up for him so he wouldn't have to walk in the heat any more and he said it was the best birthday present he received. Lucy gave him The Muppet Show season one and a Michael Buble CD. I also got him a new towel embroidered with his name. It sounds lame but he really needed a new towel. We ate PF Chang's lettuce wraps (new recipe I tried out, SO GOOD! Check it out here) and carrot cake for dinner.
*Friday and Saturday were pretty much spent working on James' final project for school that is due this week. He has to build an assistive technology device for a person with a disability. I'll write more about that later when it is all done. And that is a rough quick summary of our week, but a summary none the less.