Utah Family Time (Part 2)

(Warning: this post contains a whole lot of pictures. Enjoy.)
By the end of our week in Utah all of the Merrill family had arrived and we were geared up for some serious family time. It kicked off on Friday with a big get together for Grandma Lowe's (Bonnie's mom) 80th birthday. All of Grandma and Grandpa Lowe's descendents were there, which was pretty awesome.

Getting pictures taken and Charlie waiting his turn. At least we got the smaller family pictures taken before the meltdown.

We got family pictures taken to record the event. The huge family picture was last, and unfortunately Charlie was passionately voicing his dislike of cooperating for pictures by that point. We temporarily pacified him with blueberries, so depending on which picture Grandma and Grandpa decide on Charlie will either be the kid screaming and thrashing, or stuffing blueberries into his mouth.


After the picture taking trauma was over we blew off some steam by goofing around while the more mature adults talked about good ol' days. Overall it was a fun night and a great time to celebrate Grandma Lowe and family in general.


The next day was another special day. Katelyn, Joe and Bonnie's eldest grandchild, was baptized!  When Katelyn was told that they would be coming to Utah soon after her 8th birthday she chose to be baptized there so we could all attend instead of at home in Germany. Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day!


 That evening my brothers (Joe made the trek down from Idaho to see me... I mean see Charlie) and the entire Merrill clan (including Jenae's parents who came from Arizona for the baptism) went out to dinner to the Golden Corral. It has been a while since I have visited the Golden Corral but it's moved up a few notches in my rankings when I realized how much there was that Charlie could eat. All we had to bring from home for him was a piece of low-pro bread, and that is pretty awesome.

In between big family events we made use of Gramma B and Grampa Joe's backyard. It only takes living in an apartment with a toddler for a short time for one to more fully appreciate the wonderful thing that a backyard is.

Gold Finches on Grampa Joe's feeder.

Armed with a big stick and "sundaddies" Charlie takes on the snow patches.

Seconds before I snapped this picture I told the cooks to give me their best "Russian smile." I love the result. Shawn instantly got into character and Joe just gave me a big "Joe smile."

 Then on Sunday there was some magic in the kitchen. This particular type of magic is called borscht, and I eat it up whenever I can. Shawn, who served a mission in western Russia, was the head chef, and Joe, who served a mission in eastern Russia, was the sous chef. I assisted with chopping potatoes and extensive taste testing.

 Before Jenae's parents left that afternoon Paul presented them and his parents with flags that he flew in the plane during his flight nurse missions while stationed in Germany.



 Sunday was also the last time we will see "Bug" (Alex) in a long while. He recently received his mission call to the Romania/Moldova Mission, Russian speaking and reports to the MTC in June. We will miss him but are also so excited and happy for him!

Singing and playing the "frowny face song" (If you Chance to Meet a Frown), Charlie and Trevor watching the garbage truck in the morning, and Charlie and Tanner hitching shoulder rides.

 Monday we flew back to North Carolina but took all the grandkids to a play area in the mall to get some wiggles out before hand. We are all missing Uncle Shawn!

Playing with dinosaurs and watching trucks in Denver, and enjoying having his own seat on the plane now that he is so grown up.

 We had a fabulous time in Utah and are so very happy that we got to spend time with family that we haven't seen in a long, long time. We love you guys!