Sunday, May 8, 2011

Family fun in Gallup.

While we were in Cabo in November my little cousin asked Haylie to be the flower girl in her wedding.  So off to Gallup New Mexico we went.  Thank goodness my Rees cousins (the cousins I had grown up with) and their little families were attending the wedding as well.  It was so nice to be able to spend some time with them and reminisce about all the fun we had while growing up.  My mom and my Aunt Stacie were a little nervous about having the younger children attend the wedding because of the fact that Uncle Bill and Aunt Natalie are not members of the LDS church and their way of conducting a marriage is a lot different.  My mom mentioned to me that at Natalie's wedding to Uncle Bill there was a rock band, alot of chanting Hallelujahs and thank you Jesus out loud during the ceremony.  She told me to please take a moment to prepare my children for what they may experience.  On the way down to Gallup Shane and I discussed the matter in great length.  He advised me to talk to the children and let them know that Uncle Bill and Aunt Natalie are very great people but they do things a little differently than we do.  He also advised not to give too many details just in case the ceremony wasn't as vivid as we expected so as to not spark more curiosity.  I did just that.  At the rehearsal dinner Uncle Bill asked Ryan to offer the blessing on the food.  Boy was I nervous for him!  The only Mormons in the building were those of us who came from Utah.  Let me just tell you...we were greatly out numbered.  As I listened to him give the blessing on the food, I was completely comforted by the presence of the spirit and the calmness it brought to me.  After he was finished, I was very grateful that HE had been asked to offer the blessing.  The ceremony the next day was absolutely beautiful.  It wasn't nearly as over-the-top so to speak as I had expected.  There was a very powerful message given and the scriptures that were read I could definitely relate to.  My kiddos didn't even notice anything out of the ordinary and neither did the other younger cousins and for this I was extremely grateful. 

All dressed up and...waiting on the wedding party!

Still waiting.

On location for the pictures.  This place reminded me a lot of the Torrey area.  Especially because of the red dirt that seemed to get on everything.

Her bouquet was her favorite part of the whole ceremony.

Haylie and my awesome and fun Aunt Natalie.  She is so good to support us in everything we do. Absolutely love her!  I think Haylie looks a little like her. Yes???

Haylie and my beautiful cousin Heidi Nycole. (Named after yours truly.)

The next generation of Rees cousins.  Look at all those boys!!!  My cute little Gass girl cousins sat right behind them.

She was soooo nervous.  I couldn't even get her to look at me and smile.  Her eyes were focused straight ahead and she had a very serious look on her face the whole time.

Ok, there's half a smile.

Uncle Bill and his baby girl Alyssa. The video of Alyssa and her "daddy" that was played during the ceremony was absolutely amazing!  Uncle Bill has always been such a hands on dad and very patient and loving with his family.  After the video had finished I think it was safe to say there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

The wedding party.

Can we be done yet?

Haylie with Heidi, and the happily married couple, Alyssa, and Nathan.  What a great couple the are.  I hope they are together for many many years to come.  Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Hatalla. 

After the ceremony was over and everything was cleaned up, we all headed back to the hotel where we were staying.  How fun it was that we were all staying at the same hotel.  The kids couldn't wait any longer so the race to the pool was on.  Our kids got there first just for the plain fact that our room was only two doors down from the pool and the other cousins had to take the elevator to their rooms.  These little cousins played so good together.  Their ages ranged from 15 to 6 and they all got along famously.

Ty (oldest cousin), Ryland, and Haylie (youngest cousin) having a good time.

Ty was so good with little Haylie.  There were so many boys that she felt a little left out.  Ty scooped her up and made sure she had a good time.  Thanks Ty, you're awesome!

Making a plan.

Trying to chicken fight with 3 people.  Ryland was having a hard time making it to the top but... 

...after several attempts...V I C T O R Y!!!

Then it was Haylie's turn.  She only had to try twice.  What a good looking tower.

Ty tending Haylie again.  I wish I could find a babysitter like him in the Torrey area to tend my kids for the summer.

Brody and Haylie, the youngest chicken fighting team.

The hot tub was clear full of bubbles.  I told the parent Rees cousins it was because of all the dirty bodies that had been in there.  This didn't deter the kids from covering themselves with the dirty bubbles then jumping into the swimming pool. If you look closely, you can see the "dirty" bubbles all over Easton.

The next morning as we were leaving Aunt Natalie's house with the care packages she had prepared for everyone, we decided to travel together on the way home.  At least for a little way.  Seating arrangements were decided and we were off.  First stop...Four Corners.

When we arrived at Four Corners the kids decided they would like to place 1 foot and 1 hand in four different states at the same time.  The easiest way to do this??? A backbend of course!

Wow Midge, that is a really high backbend.  Higher than anyone else did it.

Each standing in 2 different states.

Shane standing in Colorado, Brody in New Mexico, Haylie in Arizona, and me in Utah. 

Our travelling party.  Once again Haylie is the only girl.  She doesn't seem to mind too much. 

 After leaving Four Corners we travelled to Bluff for lunch and then went our separate ways.  My Rees cousins went via Blanding and we went over the Moquois Dugway.  Shane said he remembered going over it with his Grandpa.  I have to admit I am grateful that we decided on the route we did.  We were able to see new country and the travelling time was only about 10 minutes different. 

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