Cousin Dinner

I will try to post quickly about all the Christmas festivities and family fun. The first of which was the cousin dinner. We were so excited that Jill and her family made the trek out to Utah from Northern California to visit her husband Scott's family so we could all have an excuse to get together! Thanks Jill!

Me and Jill

Lisa (Jill's sister) and Jenny

Jill, Jenny and I were like the "3 Amigos" growing up! Jill and I are the same age and Jenny is a year older. We had so much fun together! There are so many memories from December trips to Bear Lake snowmobiling and skiing, to camping up Logan canyon or traveling to San Diego where Jill's family lived. Since Jill's family (my dad's brother Darwin) lived in San Diego, we looked forward to any trip when their family came out to visit or when we had the opportunity to travel out to see them during the summer. When our Grandpa Weeks passed away a few years ago it had been at least 5 yrs since we had all been together. We still didn't keep in touch as much as we should have until our Grandma Weeks passed away last year. We decided at that time to be better going forward. So when Jill emailed letting us all know she was going to be in town for Christmas we planned a dinner.

My dad grew up in a house of boys. His oldest brother Clair passed away over 10 yrs ago (Richard, Monica, Troy and Jeff's dad) his wife lives in UT, Darwin (Mark, Darren, Jill & Lisa's dad) and JoAnn still live in CA, Stan (Todd, Pam, Brian, Jenny, & Amy's dad) and Irene live in UT.

We don't get together as often as we should but when we do it is like no time has passed at all. We have a great time catching up and enjoy each others company.

Thanks for all the great memories - as well as those to come!

One end of the table... Chaselyn (Justin & Natalie's daughter)posed for the picture sooo cute!

The other end! :-) Left front - Scott (Jill's husband) Right front Charisse (Mark's ex-wife)

Jenny and husband Brad

Holly (Troy's daughter) & friend John





















Natalie, Justin (Troy's son) & my dad
















Kelsey and Brock (Troy's son)















Becky & Troy

Becky, Chaselyn (Justin's daughter) and Lisa's daughter Alex

Jamie and mom

Ryan (Jamie's boyfriend) and Jamie



Alex (Lisa's daughter), Ian (Jill's son), Shannon (Lisa's) and Madison (Jill's daughter).

Jason in front left (Mark's son), Torrey (Jill's son) back left, Jessica (Mark's daughter) back right, Kylie (Charisse's daughter)

Aunt Margie (dad's brother Clair's wife) & their son Jeff.

****Sorry for the big break between pictures and names... not sure what happened but I don't have the time to figure it out. Anyone know why this happens all the time? The spacing looks correct in the "entry" but on the blog they are all spaced out. Thanks!

Family Dinner

I haven't had a chance to post about our family dinner a couple weeks ago. I have this fantastic picture of my dad that I just couldn't keep from all of you!

We went to my parents home for dinner the Sunday after Thanksgiving to celebrate my sister's birthday. Long story short... one person in the family was gone almost every weekend from Sept 30th (my sister's bday) until after Thanksgiving! My dad went on 3 hunting trips from North Dakota to Argentina and back to South Dakota during that time. (Hunting pheasant and doves for those interested!) He had a great time and has many wonderful stories!

My parents live on an acre with 2 horses, 4 dogs, and a cat. They are surrounded by 4-5 other non-developed acres. The fence surrounding their property is only a small 3 foot farm type fence and the dogs are more than able to jump over or run under it.

On to explain the picture... before we all headed home my dad was getting ready to feed the animals. This is apparently his apparel every morning and evening, however in the picture he is missing the tall rubber boots! (for those unaware of such technology - he has a headlamp, locator collars for his 4 dogs, and around his neck the remotes to find the dogs should they wander off searching for birds) Isn't he cute?!

We had a wonderful dinner and were able to get to know Jamie's boyfriend Ryan better. Here is a picture of them as well. I can't believe these are the only 2 pictures from that day! We sure missed Carly and Travis at this dinner... next time!

I hope you are all enjoying the Holidays! We sure are and finally finished decorating our tree! I took pictures yesterday and hope to have them up by tomorrow.