Merrill Reunion and Em and Daniel's Wedding!

We headed to Arizona on Tuesday, June 18th. We met the rest of the family in Mesa on Wednesday morning and began the partying first thing. I don't have all the pictures, but all of it was a ton of fun.

We went to a bounce house with everyone. There was a ton to do and we may have lost Scott a time or two...

Sterling and Em

Jumping on the trampoline with Dad.

Scott was so brave and tried out rock climbing. He did pretty well.

This was Sterling's favorite. It had gel underneath the plastic. He loved to crawl around on it and throw himself onto it.

Sterling loved going down the slide and then would lounge around on the mattress pads.

This one twirled around. The boys both just laid in it for a while, when I went to take a picture, they of course had to move

This was like a tiny merry-go-round. Sterling liked the motorcycle and Scott liked to stand in the middle

This ball thing rocked from side to side. Scott thought this one was really fun.

We went swimming that afternoon. Thursday morning the boys all went golfing with Daniel at Top Golf. That afternoon the adults all went to an escape the room. We had to split into two groups. Our group made it out. Good thing I have a smart family!

Hanging out with family:

Danny and Scott copying each other, just pushing on the hall wall

Cereal at Grandma's

And watching shows

We LOVE Aunt Jenni

In between wedding and the reception, we got pizza!

The wedding was Friday and it was a hot one!

On our way to the temple to see Daniel and Emily come out!

Mr. and Mrs. Farar!

The luncheon was nice and the boys sang an awesome song, as always!

The reception was that night and we took some family pictures right before:

(Dad really was happy...)

Hiding my pregnant stomach with the bouquet...

Sisters, sisters, never were there such devoted sisters...

He was being such a ham that we had the photographer take a few pictures of him. I love this boy's quick smile.

These boys are my favorite!

Cute kids!

We are getting to be so many! I love my family!!

These eight people are some of my biggest examples. I am so grateful for them.

😍

Saturday morning, Stan and I stole away for a little drive and hike. We saw some pretty views and had a great uninterrupted conversation! (shout out to my wonderful family who watched the kids!)

We played and hung out that afternoon and then went swimming again on Saturday evening. We headed home on Sunday. Such a fun trip!

Scott has THE best after naps hair-dos, especially in the car.

The boys found Dad's shoes and loved putting them on.

Santa Fe Forest Adventure with Joe and Adam

We wanted to do our annual adventure with Joe and Adam and convinced to come our way for the trip. As always, it was full of enjoyable conversation, some hiking (though we may or may not be getting weak there. No more 13 milers like our first year to the Grand Canyon), and delicious food. We headed up on a Thursday afternoon, picked Stan up from work and drove up to Panchuela Campground near the Pecos Wilderness Area.

I was packing up and Scott disappeared for a while. When I went to find him, here he was. I asked what he was doing, "Just relaxing."

All packed up and ready to go! Birthday crown on Scott and all

We had to carry our stuff into camp a little bit and that wasn't too pleasant but we lived and the area was beautiful. Joe and Adam got there late that evening, we had yummy hamburgers for dinner and enjoyed a nice fire.

Chip beak

Sleeping was not super great that night and come early morning Stan was super nice and took the boys on a drive so I could rest.

Beautiful mountain meadows

Sweet boys love hanging out with Dad

Beautiful mountain road

Friday morning we had our traditional breakfast burritos that are so delicious. After we got cleaned up and all dressed, we headed out on a hike to find some caves. Find them we did, along with some refreshing water to play in.

The water went into the cave and then dipped down under the rock on the left.

Stan and Joe went down into the cave and followed it around to another exit.

I didn't go as far in, it was a little hard to bend down too far with a stomach in the way :)

Scott wanted to see the cave so Stan carried him inside for a quick look.

From the cave looking out at our rest spot.

Three miles back to the campground and we had ourselves a good hike!

We had a chipmunk friend at camp that got more and more daring with every encounter. Sterling LOVED it and kept chasing it around.

He can't get enough of Dad's radios.

Joe and Adam were in charge of dinner on Friday evening. They did not disappoint. We saved some pecan wood from my parents pecan trees to cook the steaks over. It was amazing.

Look at that beautiful dinner!

Sterling loved the corn!

We had a gorgeous fire that night with pretty coals.

A little morning walk to keep him occupied before everyone else woke up

We got up and went fishing at Cowles lake down the road. No bites from the fish :( but it was a pretty morning. I don't know how I didn't come back with any pictures...My plan was to drive back with the boys while Stan, Joe, and Adam did one more adventure that afternoon. While I did some packing up, Stan took Dad duty seriously with getting Sterling to take a little morning nap. He is the master of getting Sterling to nap on him.

Stan was able to catch a fish on their hike that afternoon and they got home in time for dinner. We enjoyed having Joe and Adam come to our house that night, we played a game, visited, and hit the hay. They headed back to Utah on Sunday morning. What a great trip!!