Ainsley had a blast getting to know her cousins again. It only took a few minutes for all of them to warm up to each other. Then they were inseparable. Ainsley was a half step behind Will the whole weekend.
Caden and Cami having a sword fight with plastic golf clubs and crutches:)
The next morning, the whole Butler family drove up to the Uintas to the Provo River Falls. The kids had a blast riding in Grandpa's car. They chatted all the way there about their snowcones again that they were going to get that afternoon. When we got to the falls, we hiked around and the kids explored. Afterwards, we headed to a campsite to have a picnic. There was still a little snow on the ground so the kids had a snowball fight with Tom. Then we headed to Mirror Lake for a nature walk. The kids had fun running through the water and ended up getting completely soaked, but they had a blast.
Ainsley, Will, and Caden riding in Grandpa and Grandma's car
Everyone wants to hold Grandma Butler's hand
The kiddos at the Provo River Falls
Grandpa Butler and Ainsley
Poor Cami had just had foot surgery so had to crutch around everywhere, but she was a good sport!
The newest babies had fun meeting each other. Landon is only a month and half older than Sam, but Sam is already bigger! Hope these boys grow up to be great friends!
On Sunday, June 17 Tom blessed Sam at his parents ward. We decided to wait and bless Sam in Utah, so all of our family members could be apart of it. We blessed him at the Butler 7th ward where Tom's dad is the bishop. Tom gave a beautiful blessing and it was wonderful to have all of our family there to celebrate this day with us. Afterwards, we went to Tom's parents house to have a brunch.
Everyone who was able to attend the blessing
My family
Sam and his Great Grandpa and Grandma Gallier
Since Tom's Winder grandparents were unable to attend the blessing, we drove to their home that evening so they could have a chance to meet Sam.
Aunt Annie had just returned from San Fransisco where she bought Ainsley and Sam cute outfits from China Town.
On Monday, we headed downtown. Ainsley was so excited to ride the trax. She remembered doing it last summer with Grandpa. We took the train downtown and met Tom's dad at his work. Then we headed to Temple Square and had lunch at the Nauvoo Cafe, then walked around Temple Square. Ainsley loved seeing the temple and the Christ statue. Afterwards, we headed to my dad's office to visit Grandpa Butler and Uncle Jon at work. We drank sodas and chatted before getting back on the train and heading home.
On Monday evening, we had a Reese family picnic at Antazck park. We always eat at the same spot. The boys play games while the girls sit and chat. It was so fun to see Tom's cousins and family and catch up.
Four generations of Reese Men
Sam and his Great Grandpa Reese
Marin, Beth, and the Sams
On Tuesday night we went to dinner at our good friends from MBA school, the Coltrins beautiful new home. It was so great to see them and reminisce about MBA school. We've both had a baby boy named Sam since leaving school in Indiana too. We've really missed them!
On Wednesday, we went swimming at Annie's pool. Ainsley loved showing everyone what she learned in her swimming lessons. After swimming, Grandpa and Grandma took Ainsley to the new Winnie the Pooh movie while Tom, Sue, and I went to see the Harry Potter movie. Annie babysat Sam for all us while we all went to the movies.
One of the things Tom wanted to do most of all while in Utah, was to go to his family's ranch in the Uintas. So the whole family came and spent three days there. It was so fun, we've only all been up there together a handful of times since I joined the family. We roasted hotdogs, rode horses, walked the pipeline, and played games. Ainsley had a blast and she did many things for the first time. The first night we were there, Grandpa and Daddy took her fishing with them at the resevoir for the first time. She also learned how to walk the pipeline to the reservoir all by herself. Ainsley, Annie, and Susie camped out in the Bunkhouse. She loved it, it was like a little playhouse.
The big news about this trip, is that Ainsley learned how to ride a horse! We were all so nervous that she would be too afraid and would hate it. This is a girl who is scared of riding the Merry-Go-Round horses. We didn't think we would get her on a horse. The second day we were there, Tom, Grandpa and Ainsley all headed up to the corral to get two ranch horses-Lewis and Clark. Ainsley rode back down to the cabin with Tom. She cried the whole way. We figured she was scared and that would be the extent of her horse riding. But much to our surprise, she was only crying because she was cramped in the saddle with Tom. She tried sitting with Susie, and she fit in the saddle so much better. Susie and Grandpa took her on a longer ride and she loved it. After that, she kept wanting to go on rides. As soon as she would get off, she would ask to get back on and go for another ride. She rode with me for awhile, then with Susie again, and even went on a short walk all by herself. The next morning she asked to ride again, but it was time to head home. She still continues to talk about "Lewis and Clark" all the time.
Sam did well at the ranch too. He slept great and seemed to love it up there. Anytime he began to get fussy, we would just take him outside and sit on the front porch. He loved it. I can tell he will be an outside boy. Going outside always calms him down.
On each walk, she would pick wildflowers for us. Tom and I commented that we had never seen so many wildflowers at the ranch. It was beautiful!
Grandma bathed Sam in the sink, it was adorable. Apparently Tom was bathed in that sink when he was a baby.
We always carve the initials in an aspen tree when someone comes to the ranch for the first time. Since it was Sam's first trip, Tom carved his initials for us to always remember.
On Saturday evening, we had a Butler reunion bbq at my parents house. My aunt, uncle, and 3 of their children and families were all able to come up to Midway to visit. It was so fun to see them and catch up. Unfortunately these were the only two pictures I took that night.
My sister Cami and my cousin Brighton
Ainsley's favorite thing to do in Utah is to go on walks with Grandpa Reese. She is his little buddy and she follows him around everywhere. She would get a little jealous if Grandpa took Sam out for a walk because that was "her" thing to do with Grandpa
On the 24th of July, Grandpa had fireworks for Ainsley. We sat on the end of their driveway and watched them. Ainsley didn't like them because they were too loud, but Sam seemed fascinated by them. Grandpa was kind enough to "protect" Ainsley and cover her ears for her. We had fun watching the fireworks...especially those "Purple Rains:)"
On Monday, July 25, we headed to the annual "Days of 47 Parade." This is an important Reese Family tradition and so Tom made sure he stayed long enough to attend. I hadn't been in three years. It was fun to be there together again. We always park at Grandpa's building and then sit in the same spot. We enjoy watching the police motorcycles, the princesses, and the college floats. We have been so many times we know which churches, clubs, organizations have the best floats and we make sure we see all our favorites before we leave. Ainsley also enjoyed seeing President Monson. We left the parade a little early and headed to Little America for the traditional Reese Family breakfast. Great Grandpa Reese takes the whole family out to eat. We usually always order the same thing every year, but it is a great tradition and we were so happy we could be there again. We enjoyed visiting with everyone one last time. Immediately after the breakfast, Tom had to head home to get packed and then go to the airport for his trip back to Chicago. It was a great trip, we had so much fun!
Sam's first parade
After the parade, Aunt Susie took Ainsley out to her favorite frozen yogurt restaurant. It was delicious!
*To see Part 2, click on "Older Posts" in the bottom right corner
1 comment:
Looks like you guys had a great time! We LOVED seeing you! The Sams are sooooo cute together!
Post a Comment