June - July 2007 - Our Trip to the U.S.

Just one day after Rob's parents left, I hopped on an airplane to take the girls to the U.S. to see my family in Utah. It was not easy traveling alone with two young kids, I must say. The worst part was trips to the tiny airplane bathroom. All three of us would squish in there while I changed diapers! Our flight from Geneva was late, so we missed our connecting flight in New York, which left me dragging the girls and my luggage around JFK to find another flight. I get to do the same thing in August when we return for my brother Johnny's wedding. Yippee!

WITH THE FAMILY. . .

Anna Claire had the time of her life with her cousins Peter and Gretel (Margaret's kids). Here they are hanging out on the balcony of my parents' cabin.

Gretel was so nice to take Anna Claire around. They became great pals.

Margaret and I wore these exact pioneer costumes when we were girls -- except I had the puke green and turquoise one and Margaret got the purple and pink one. (Such was the story of my childhood -- always getting dressed in browns and greens, which I didn't enjoy. But now I realize that I look best in those colors!) We have a picture of Margaret and me sitting in these costumes in front of our house, just like this!

Let's dance a jig!

A rare photo of Anna Claire actually sitting still enough to smile!

Anna is fascinated by all the scooters and motorcycles in Europe and I had been promising her that Grandpa would take her for a ride when she got to "America". But once she was on, all she could say was "I don't like it, Grandpa". She did it anyway. What a trooper!

KERI'S WEDDING

Our trip coincided perfectly with my friend (of 22 years) Keri Wilcox's wedding. Here's a shot of her and our good friend Sarah Cannon Weaver. The same old teenage cuties . . . well, almost!

Clinton (Sarah's husband), the beautiful bride, Keri, her handsome new husband, Brent, and me.

LAKE POWELL

My entire family gathered for a mini-reunion at Lake Powell this year. With grandkids galore, the houseboat was a bit crowded, but the kids absolutely LOVED it. Anna Claire (our little instigator) kept Gretel and Peter up each night by running and hiding in the closet, then popping out to entertain them.

Riding on the boat with Grandpa Ken.

Row, row, row your boat with Uncle Franz and Peter. (Franz is actually a former crew competitor so he can really row.)

Okay, this swimming thing is not as fun as I thought it would be . . . too deep. "I don't like it!"

Back on the houseboat searching for fish.
Gretel and Mariah. (You might notice the helmet on Mariah's head. She has to wear this to correct her flat head. It doesn't bother her, but she sweats buckets in it -- especially in the searing heat of Lake Powell)

Hey guys, check me out -- I can sit now! The waves on this boat don't affect my superior balance.

Oh yeah! Mommy can still waterski after missing too many seasons being pregnant and/or with newborn child (or simply without access to a boat)!

My sisters Jane and CK. CK always looks like the Unibomber when we go out waterskiing and Jane follows suit. I guess it's paid off -- they both have porcelain, wrinkle-free skin!

The rest of us prefer to bake in the sun. From left: Margaret, Brendon (Rachel's husband), Johnny and Ashley (Johnny's fiancee -- a great new addition to the family!)

Chillin' with Aunt CK.