Our Family Visit

I haven't had the time to blog about our busy "family" weekend a couple of weekends ago, so I thought I should really get it done before I forget everything. For Jason's 12th birthday, my parents came out for a visit and to see him get ordained a Deacon. We were SO happy that they came. We were lucky enough to have them for almost a whole week (a length of time that we haven't seen in quite a while) and the kids were just thrilled and excited that they were here. I was pretty glad, too, as we got to play games, visit, laugh, and work on "projects". My "honey do" list finally got done -- by my dad! Thanks, Dad! We were able to celebrate Jason's birthday on Friday with my parents, Grandpa & Grandma Morgan, and Paul & Teresa and their family. On Saturday, my brother Aaron, his wife, Rebecca, and 3 of their kids came for a visit also. The kids had a fun time playing with cousins, the guys had a fun time visiting, and the girls had a great time playing games.

On Sunday, Jason was ordained a Deacon. It's hard to believe that he is that old! We got him a suit for his 12th birthday and he looked really nice. It only made us think about the mission he will go on in 7 years - I know that he will be 19 then, but I'm just not ready to think about it! After his ordination after church, all of the family met at the town building for lunch. Gary's brothers Jeff and Mike, with his wife Joan and their 3 kids, were able to come down to Grandpa & Grandma Morgan's home on Saturday afternoon. We are so glad that they were able to join us for this special occasion. Our family, my parents, Aaron, Rebecca and their family, Gary's parents, Paul, Teresa and their family, and Mike, Joan and their family, and Jeff were all to lunch and the ordination. It was so nice. Thanks to everyone for coming!

Sunday night, we had a small little party with my parents and we celebrated Jason, Emily, & Kate's birthdays together and my parents gave them their gifts. Kari was trying so hard not to cry or feel bad (she's the only kid in the family that doesn't have a birthday in our "birthday week") so she got to open a couple of "un-birthday" gifts. (I know -- she's COMPLETELY spoiled!!) Emily's birthday was on Monday, so after the guys "de-horned" calves, we had another celebration that night for her and Gary's family got to come over for cake & ice cream.

My parents left on Tuesday morning and no matter how old I get, I still cry a little. I am so happy for the visit and I can't wait to see them again! Thanks for coming, Mom & Dad!

Of course, Afton's birthday was on Wednesday and Kate's birthday was on Friday, so we continued on with the celebrations. Although, I must say, I cannot wait until Kate would like something else besides cake to celebrate her birthday. Maybe next year, she'll want a "birthday lasagna" :) Here are a few pictures from our family visit:

Here are pictures of Jason in his new suit:

This is a picture of Jason with Grandpa & Grandma Morgan.

This is a picture of Gary and his brothers with his parents.

(Paul, Jeff, Marilyn, Afton, Mike, and Gary).

A picture of my parents with all but 1 grandchild.

(Emily, Daniel, Kate, Jason, Grandma holding Sarah,

Grandpa holding Kari, and Josh)

Grandpa & Grandma Phil with Jason, Emily, Kate & Kari.