Eight.Five Years Old

 8.5 Years Old

• We took off for our trip to Utah. We went a few days before the family reunion so we could see friends and family. We first stayed with the Barbers at their new house. The weather was so hot, so their pool was perfect. We then headed over to the Prices. You love seeing those two families. Although Molly is older than you, you really like hanging out with her and the older girls are great about including everyone. We had dinner at Joey's where we got to meet Fritz and even Ben's girl friend. Around lunch, we headed down south for the Matthews family reunion. We stayed at an old Dude Ranch. There were so many rooms. You slept with my room in bunk beds. You really wanted to sleep with cousins, but Bonnie was with her parents also and you played so hard during the day that I just wanted you to be able to get a lot of sleep. We had a day at the ranch swimming in the pond, doing the dunk tank, playing volleyball four squares. Another day, we visited Bryce Canyon. While I was at Kaylana's wedding, you all went boating. The last day, we rafted down the river. You were on the raft with Auntie Allison and Bonnie who fell off the raft on one of the drops. It was a lot of fun. We drove back and stayed with the Cowles. Dad flew home to make it back to work, but we stayed a few extra days. We went to the Provo Rec center with the Cowles, spend another night with Molly's family, and hit up a bunch of DI for back to school and church shopping. We brought Amelia back with us. It was a great, long, and tiring trip.
• When we got back, the cousin madness has began. We planned on watching Rita and Jessie for 10 days while Dusty and Janecce took Sonora to Mexico. Amelia came with us because her birthday was coming soon and she wanted to join the madness. I know you missed Sonora, but those older girls were so good at included you in games and movies that you all made. You had swam a lot on the pool, they joined us on our morning runs. One day, Grandma took us all (2 adults and 9  kids) to the Silverton Renaissance Fair. It was so cool. So many people were dressed up, the shops were awesome, and the food was yummy. Grandma gave each of you $5 to spend and you girls picked these fancy ear wraps. We watched jousting and sword fighting. By the end, we all wanted to come back again but definitely dressed up.
• Cousins all finally went home. Life has settled down just a big. Emily visited (to pick up Amelia) and brought Molly, Kaylana, and Fritz, so although you get your room back, you are still playing hard. We went to Salem for the afternoon with Kaylana, shopping at book stores, antiques, and getting cake. We hosted a big birthday dinner for Grandpa at our house where Dad made all you can eat ribs.
• You were able to go on your Great to be Eight Trip with Grandma and Papa Price with Sonora. You were so excited for this trip. I know you wanted to go on an airplane, but instead, you all got to stay two nights in Seaside. You played a lot at the beach, took the train ride, shop along main street, and ate a lot of ice cream. Grandma recorded a video of each of you telling how you are so mature. In your video, you said you were so mature because you packed bras! I am still laughing about it as I type it up.