Travelling to Arizona

Travelling with 7 people in a minivan is better than a stationwagon or even better than back of small toyota pickup truck with a camper shell on top. However, it's still full of it's special moments. Like when Jacob smears Cheez Whiz all over himself, the carseat and the window. It is also a great time to enjoy eating lots of goodies and if we are lucky it is good sleeping time.  I don't know how my parents did it without some good movies to watch, it really did save some lives. 
Arizona, here we come!  On our way to Aunt Rebecca and soon to be Uncle Scott's wedding. 

 

Spendlove Reunion in Ogden

Steve and I have been to a few of these Big Spendlove family reunions in past when we lived in Utah.  And I remember all the food and cool old fashion pictures that we took.  And of course it didn't disappoint this time either.  There was a truck load of delicious food and yes, I made my family take a picture all dressed up for our old fashioned photo op.  We stayed the night with Shawn and Brooke, so we were able to come with them and Lindsay came too.  She had fun with her talent of painting and the little ones loved her for it.  It was great to see her as now she is an official college student. 

 

Jacob headed straight for the sand box and pretty much stayed there the whole time.

Steve and Shawn with a bunch of crazy Spendlove cousins.  They reminisce about lots of good times.

 

Horseback riding is also a tradition at the Spendlove Reunion.  My kids think they are pros.

Here they are.  The Family Western Photos.

These guys found the tetherball and the volleyball.

There is now a blog for all family members to post stories, letters, pictures or anything about the Spendlove Family.  These are a few pictures that were of Grandpa "Bud" Spendlove when he was little in someone's photo album.

Time with the twins.

 

Emerson and Jacob

We had fun spending time with Shawn and Brooke and so appreciate their hospitality.  We all hung out at the park for a while, played some soccer and on our walk back home we stopped by a garage sale where Ethan bought a big NRA gold belt buckle and Matthew bought a pocket knife.   Where were we, you might ask?  Sandy, Utah

Trip to Utah for the Wedding of the Year!

Like every trip, our days were full.  We arrived just in time for the brief wedding rehearsal at Memory Grove.  We also went to the family BBQ in honor of Ryan and Madelyn.  It was great to meet her family and to see Ryan and Madelyn together. I was in charge of the wedding cake.  So Wednesday night, I went with Ryan to go shopping for the ingredients and I started some of the baking in his ginormous kitchen.  Let me just say that if I can make a wedding cake in his kitchen, I can make a wedding cake anywhere.  Actually, the best part was having my parents and brothers around to entertain me while working on the cake.  And I think it turned out pretty ok.  The Cannon Crew also went to Uncle Ab's burger shop, "Ab's Drive In"  for some good burgers and fries and great shakes.  We also went to Uncle Ab's and Aunt Dot's home for a little walk down memory lane.  Things like the smell, tablecloths, rope swings and all the nick knacks helped bring those memories back to life.  I remember a big family reunion we had here as a child and driving from Texas in the back of a little Toyota truck with just a shell on the back.  The things we do to be with family.  AND thank goodness we can.