Family Reunion

In July we went to the Bailey Family Reunion at Tenney Ranch. It was over the 4th of July weekend. Everyone was there, including Mark! Up until 2 weeks before the reunion it looked like Mark wouldn't be able to come. But he worked it out with some of the attending radiologists to get the holiday weekend off.

Austin and I were planning on going the entire time. The family was excited to be seeing us but sad that Mark wouldn't be coming. Mark was going to be the only family member absent. But we sure surprised them! Mom's reaction was the best. She was just so excited! She walked in and everyone was sitting down to eat and we were all pretty quiet because we were waiting to see how long it would take her to notice Mark. She was shocked! She gave him a big hug and just couldn't stop saying how happy she was and how surprised and how we had totally gotten her. It was awesome. EVERYONE was excited to have him there :)

Austin and I went to Arizona a few days before Mark to spend some time with my mom. Austin and I stayed with her at her house. We just hung out most days. Nana watched Austin one morning so we could go to the temple together. It was lovely. I love spending time in the temple, especially when I have my mom with me. It was exactly what I needed-- some peace and quiet with my own mother. We had lots of great talks and Austin LOVED climbing up on her chair-and-a-half when the cushions were off and just bouncing around on it. It was so cute. We went to the park and played in her front yard and played with the new books and toys she bough just because Austin was coming to visit. She is an awesome grandma. But I mean, she was an awesome mom too so what can you expect? :)

After spending several days with Grandma Van Gesen, Mark flew into Phoenix! Grandma watched Austin while I drove down to get Mark. His flights were both delayed but he still made it to Phoenix! As we were driving home we saw some awesome fireworks being set off by a casino right on the side of the bee-line highway. It was awesome. We got back to Snowflake around 12:00 and surprised everyone the next morning by showing up at Tenney Ranch together.

The reunion was a blast. We did lots of fun things: jewelry making, mani-pedis, waterballoon volleyball, 5K race, family history lessons, family pictures, chess tournaments, arm wrestling tournaments, sliding, teeter-tottering, and lots and lots of visiting. It was a blast.

 Austin got to spend lots of time bonding with his Grandpa. He thinks Grandpa is pretty special. It might help that he looks a lot like dad :)

 Mark came in first for the 5K! Here he is coming in and right after the race. He said it felt good to beat his brothers but the best feeling of all was beating his dad :) Mark's dad is a great runner and runs at least one marathon a year if not more.

The Bakers brought their dog, Ruby. They just moved and can't have her in their current apartment so they brought her to give to the Tharps. It was fun having her around. The kids, including Austin, loved it. Austin got SO muddy playing with that dog.

 Austin LOVED his Nana. He absolutely loved her from day one. He had no stranger anxiety with her or anything. He loved to be held by Nana and just be with Nana. That was even before he got to choose out of Nana's goody bag! Nana is a special lady I guess!

Even though the reunion itself was "officially" over everyone stayed at Mom and Dad Bailey's house for an extra night. It was a blast being in such close quarters with everyone for one evening! It was a Saturday night and we all went to Eva's together for dinner. It was a little... ok a lot... crazy at dinner. Good thing we were completely isolated from all the other customers in the banquet room! The kids were super loud and all over the place. It was pretty funny. The food was amazing though, of course. Thanks Mom and Dad Bailey for treating us!

After dinner Mark, Austin, and I took a quick trip over to the cemetery so I could visit my dad's grave. I find it so peaceful and I love to visit it every time I go. It helps me feel close to him. We swung by my mom's house to grab Austin's jacket and then we met the whole family at the Taylor Rodeo Grounds for the 4th of July rodeo and fireworks. It was on the 6th of July. Go figure. I guess they just wanted to do it on a weekend :)

Austin was a little stinker most of the time but he eventually calmed down. Right when the fireworks started :) Watching the sunset from the top of the bleachers was really beautiful though. The rodeo was pretty good but not one bull rider was able to stay on the bull! The fireworks were great too.

Overall it was a fantastic trip. We can't wait until we get to see everyone again soon!