FAMILY

If you don't believe in ghosts, you've never been to a family reunion. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

OK I know, I am terrible at keeping up with this blog. I will work on that. We had our Family reunion this weekend. We have the HOLT family reunion every Memorial Weekend. It used to be down south in Enterprise, then St. George and now they seem to always be up here in Salt Lake. I have so many wonderful memories of loading up the old Buick regal and heading on down south. It was so fun to see 1st, 2ND and I'm sure 3rd cousins. My grandmother had 8 kids in her family so all of them and then all of there kids and then all of their kids would come. I can remember running around on some cool rocks can't remember the name of them. My grandma and her sisters would make flowers out plastic bags and we would take these flowers to the HOLT family grave. It was a long drive and it was always hot. My parents would tell me about the people that were buried there and for the live of me can't remember one story. So I think it was today listening to my dads talk in church of hearing his memories of his father that makes me want to know more about my grandmother and grandfathers life. I know my grandmother was very close to her family. But I want to know about how they fell in love, how the suffered through the hard times, how they grew old together. My grandfather died when I was 18 and I still can remember that day as if it was yesterday. He was a wonderful wonderful man. Every grandchild thought they were his favorite, and yes I still believe its me. He was so so considerate of others. He was always working on something. Tinkering in the garage or in the yard. As I watch Kevin tinker on his trucks I can't help but think of my grandpa. I still remember the first time I hung out with Kevin I was amazed at how he could fix things. I can remember my grandpa's soap that he had in his bathroom. It was that hard lava soap to wash the grease off his hands. His hands were so rough. But you loved to hold them. Because they were such strong but gentle hands. They were hands that would do anything for you. I can remember his whistle. I love him so much and wish he was still here with us. But he left behind a part of him with my dad. Who like him can fix anything. Who takes care of stuff before you even know it needs to be taken care of. My father was always there for me. He took me to soccer practice every week. He came to every single soccer game. I started soccer at 6 or 7 and played until my senior year. And he was always there. I remember riding in the back of his big Diesel engine truck to get a Slurpee after my games. Riding in the back of the truck to our cabin, or California. I remember when I could hear his truck down at the end of the street of him coming home for work and I was so excited for him to come home. I hope I can pass on the strength that my grandpa and dad have shown me and how to serve others as they have. To my Grandpa on this memorial day, thank you for serving your country, your wife and kids but most of all for serving me. To my dad thank you for being just like your dad.

MOAB again....

Yes we love to go to Moab every chance we get. In April we had some time to go down so we headed out. It was a kindof warm a couple of days down there so I was able to work on my tan but it did turn cold and very windy on us. We had so much fun. I love to be outdoors and sit around a camp fire. But most of all I just love spending time with Kevin.

I love to see the different arches there

This was a really neat cave we hiked up to.

Kevin showing how steep this drop off really is.

Brace yourself!!

Straight up and down! He is one crazy boy.

Emma Turns 9

So where is the time going???? Emma wanted to have a bowling party this year so we headed off to the bowling lanes with 15 girls! Wow that was fun.... Emma loved having all her classmates there and some from cheer, her brothers and sister and cousins there. She got so many wonderful gifts. She is a sweet sweet girl and has many friends. Emma has a smile and laugh that you can't help but smile with her. She loves to be with her mother non-stop. Sometimes I have to remind myself that this won't last forever to saver the moments she wants to be by me. She is so helpful around the house and with the other kids. She enjoys teaching. She loves to read to her little sister and help her with her books. It is amazing how grown up she is getting and how she cares for everyone. Happy Birthday sweetheart I love you!

Opening up a webkinz.. clearly excited about that


Opening her ipod shuffle that she has wanted forever!


Make a wish.

Running all over the bowling alley... I don't know where she gets it from.... hmmm

Her friend London from the old house. So fun to have her come.

Sand Dunes

On the spur of the moment in April we decided to go to the Sand Dunes. So we packed up at 9:00 at night and the next morning to wake up to a huge wind storm. The kids were so excited to go that we decided to tough it out and still go. I drove the 4 runner with the kids in all over the sand hills. They screamed every time we went down something steep. Kevin and his friend rode there bikes and the kids loved to see them do tricks. It was fun to roast hot dogs and have some smores, but it would have been nice if it was a little warmer. We will try again soon.


On our way... Lauren talked the whole drive down.

After riding trying to stay warm.

It was a warming 50 degrees!

Climbing trees