Fourth Flight of Fancy

Once we returned from our trip to Page, we had no travel plans until the Ross Reunion in the later half of July. Theo would not even be coming with us once again due to his summer school commitments. Bummer! We were however, anticipating a visit from Theo's parents at some point as they had planned to make a big round trip to visit Donny (Colorado Springs), Tim (Indiana) and finally us in Texas on their way home. At the last minute unfortunately, G&G Martin had to cancel their plans because of work conflicts.

Theo came up with a plan of his own. The 4th of July fell on a Thursday this year. He would have Friday off of school. What would I think if we were to zip over to Tim's for a long weekend visit?

Gulp.

Sure we can do that, honey. Let's make it happen!

We have not been to Tim and Anne's as a family since we drove out from Page in 2007! For a little trip down that memory lane see here. It was time for us to get out there. Way past due!

We departed from Amarillo after Theo got out of class on Wednesday afternoon and made the first part of our trek to Springfield, Missouri where we spent the night in a hotel. On a side note, we were without Drake as he had gone off to EFY in San Antonio for a week, a trip we had paid for many months before.

On the 4th of July, we rolled into town in the afternoon. Tim and Anne live in a lovely home in New Salisbury, Indiana, a very different locale than our boys are used to. Everything was green and beautiful!

 

As the sun began to set, the boys set out to catch as many fireflies as they could catch. The mosquitoes were out too and had a delightful feast on us!

 

Tim had some fun fireworks for us to play with, and Theo's inner pyro got to come out to play for a while.

 

The sunset was gorgeous and we could hear people setting off fireworks all over the area.

The next day, we went into Louisville, Kentucky, a mere 20 minute drive across the Ohio river.

 

We went for a swim at Anne's parents' house. The weather was unseasonably cool the whole time we were there and never got out of the 70s.

Our last day there we made a trip to the zoo in Louisville. Our kids always enjoy a trip to the zoo. Because it was a little rainy, there were hardly any people there which was awesome.

Sunday we drove the entire way home. It took us about 15 hours! The kids were troopers, and I think it was all worth it to spend some time with our family! Thanks Tim, Anne, Symond and Max! This was a 4th to remember!

Sixteen is Sweet!

It has happened. My oldest child has turned 16! He is old enough to drive. He is old enough to date! He is old enough to go off and do lots of things on his own! Zoinks!

 

For Drake's birthday gift, we decided to send him to EFY. This is a church camp program (Especially for Youth). It used to be only at BYU in Provo, but in recent years the church has expanded the places where it is offered. Before Christmas, I was talking with our bishop's wife, and she told me she was considering sending her son. Knowing there were a few others from our ward thinking about going, I thought this would be a greats chance for Drake.

 

As a ward group, we settled on an EFY being offered in San Antonio. The bishop's wife would take the kids down, spend the week there with her sister, and then haul them all back to Amarillo. Awesome! The only thing was that it would be over Drake's 16th birthday. We talked with him about it, and he decided to go.

 

Being Drake, he didn't take any photos (I lifted this from his Facebook page). He says he had a great time, and he met lots of great people. My baby is growing up! sniff, sniff

 

 

We had a tough time squeezing in a time when he could go get his license with Theo in school and me at work. We finally managed to get him to motor vehicles the day we were ready to leave to SLC for the Ross Reunion. This kid is legal!

 

Happy birthday, Drake! I am so proud of you!

Class of 1993 Reunites!

This summer marks twenty years since Theo and I graduated from Page High School! Yep, that is two zero. TWENTY! For this auspicious occasion, we loaded up the family and made the journey to Page.

Upon our arrival, we crossed paths with Theo's little sister, Brianna. They were literally on their way out the door to Texas. We got to spend a few minutes catching up with our littlest cousins with a promise to see them in Amarillo on their way back in a couple of weeks.

Next on the agenda was of course a trip to the lake! We met a whole bunch of families down at Antelope for some sun and swim! We were having so much fun, I neglected to snap many photos.

 

That Friday night was the first event on our high school reunion schedule. One of my very best high school friends is Christy who also happened to be our senior class president. She was the planner extraordinaire for this blessed milestone event. Her parents were also a teacher and counselor during our tenure. It only seemed appropriate that we should have a gathering at their home. What was comical about this event was that it was billed as essentially a keg party. I am sorry, even though it has been twenty years, there was something a little weird about a kegger at the Bucks' house! We used to sneak OUT of their house for that kind of thing back in the day. Giggle.

 

Since beer and cocktails is not really our kind of scene nowadays, and we knew we would see these people at other reunion events the following day, we made an early getaway.

 

 

The following day was a Navajo Taco feast at the Pera Club. This was a family affair, so Theo and I got to bring our boys to show them off. Although they weren't super excited by the prospect of being paraded around, they put up with it for the food.

 

 

They were super excited when the Begay kids showed up so they had people they knew to hang out with.

 

The final official event was a dinner and awesome slideshow at the Dam Bar and Grille. We had so much fun reminiscing. The pictures had a whole lot of skinny kids with lots of big hair, braces, and most of all smiles! Here are just a few that I sent in for the slideshow presentation. That's right, I have no shame! It was the late 80s/early 90s!

 

 

 

My high school years were the BEST! Seriously!

 

 

I loved seeing how well so many people are doing, how much we have all changed, and at the same time how much we are still the same kids! Some of us are even better with age. Like this handsome dude! 

 

 

Once the reunion festivities were finished, we got to spend just a couple more days with our Page family. The Larsons took us out on the boat to enjoy Lake Powell. Man, I love that place! How I miss it! It was the perfect summer day! How good it was to be home.

 

Class of 1993 Rules!

Country Cousin

My sister Michelle has always been a champ when it comes to supporting her brothers and sisters in any family events. We are talking births, blessings, baptisms, ordinations, farewells, weddings you name it! This weekend it was her family's turn to be supported.

We made a late departure from Amarillo and drove the seven hours to Durango for the momentous occasion of the youngest Gilleland, Jebb, getting baptized! What better excuse to spend a weekend in one of the places we love most with the people we love best?

Saturday was the big event. My parents, our family and the Hannays were all filling up the Gilly homestead with noise and laughter.

After the wonderful baptism performed by oldest brother Gabe, we returned to Gilleland's for fun, food and frolic.

Grandma Ross made this beautiful quilt for Jebb.

Then it was off to shoot guns that Grandpa had brought. Luckily we didn't have to go far. The Gillelands have enough room that we didn't have to worry about shooting a neighbor.

 

 

 

This was actually the very first and only time I have ever shot a gun! Can you tell that no one gave me any instruction on how to hold your arms! I didn't hit anything! Hahaha.

Another great weekend with our country cousins. See you again soon!