Crosby Family Get-Together 2018

With my parents still on their mission, we had our reunion in St. George again this year. That way, Mom and Dad could still participate for one day. This was such a wonderful reunion, planned my Jenn and Mike. My kids looked forward to it ALL summer. Sometimes I feel bad that we don't take our kids on big vacations like so many others around us. But I never feel lacking after weeks like this one! We are so richly blessed, and my kids are in heaven all week.

We got there Sunday night and hung out at Jenn and Mike's. Nine Square, desserts, chatting=a good time.


Monday, Jenn planned this amazing "Relative Race" thing for the cousins. They were divided into groups with their cousins, and ran around St. George learning all about our family history in the area and completing challenges along the way. I was so grateful that my kids got to experience this!


That night, we met up in the much cooler area of Pine Valley for dinner and FHE. My parents brought out the legendary "Wheel of Fortune" wheel that they had made YEARS ago, that we used for FHE's, YM&YW's, etc. They quizzed the kids on family history and gave out candy. It was such a wonderful night. Benson ate nothing but candy and lemonade for dinner, Miles gave his much coveted bracelet he won during the Relative Race away to Izzy, who said she thought it was so cute. Gwen learned again that losing is not fun, but a necessary part of life. It was just so good to be with everyone.


Tuesday we drove to Moapa, where there is a natural warm springs that they church owns. My older siblings remember going there for church activities all the time. I had no recollection of this place, but it was really cool! We had the place all to ourselves and played for hours and hours without getting bored or dealing with whining kids. There were tons of these tiny fish in the springs that would nibble your feet, which was odd, and so fun. Benson hated it at first. He was terrified. But he warmed up to things and had so much fun. That night we went to see the new Christopher Robin movie together. Such a fun night with cousins!


Wednesday we went to "The Grip". A ninja warrior gym out in Washington. The guy that owns it was on the show, as was his wife and two of their kids. The kids had fun running around, and the adults tried things, and we were all thoroughly worn out. Miles moped about for a while because he couldn't do everything the older kids were doing, so I was glad when he finally came out of his shell and tried things, and of course ended up having a blast.


That night the kids got to have their traditional sleepover at the Lamb's. This is always such a highlight. Paris played game after game with Miles, and Erma very selflessly painted the girl's nails, did their makeup and painted their faces. My kids look up to, and love all of their cousins so much! I'm once again, extremely grateful that they have such great ones to associate with. It's crazy to me to think that on the Garner side, they will be the older ones! I hope they treat their younger Garner cousins the way they are always treated as the younger cousins on the Crosby side. It's really a treasure to watch these cousins become such friends.

Everyday stuff it the first half of August

I asked the kids what they wanted to do most before we started school, and the big one was more play dates with friends. So we really tried to pack a bunch in!





I was so happy Richie was able to be in the play, "Swing!" that the Bluffdale arts put on this summer. He rarely has a creative outlet, or something that he gets to do just for himself. Originally the plan was that he was going to choreograph a couple numbers, then they asked him to dance in a few, then they asked him to sing a few solos. He ended up being one of the main players. :) He had so much fun using those talents that sometimes get brushed aside. I took Miles and Gwen to see it on Thursday, then Friday and Saturday, we had a mini, swing reunion. He reached out to some of our old swing friends and a good number of them came from out of town to see him perform and then to have a get together that weekend. Peter and Breanne + their kids stayed with us, and then we all got together Saturday mornings at the park to dance, talk and let our kids play. It was a really fun weekend. (Our friend Alecia took some really fun photos from the play, so I apologize, there's a bunch of pictures!)



One day when we Gwen and Miles both had friends over, and the house became terribly noisy, I was working on getting things ready for school and it started pouring outside! There's nothing better than a summer rain, is there? Lindy came up to me and asked if I wanted to go outside in the rain. I was so happy I said yes. Sometimes I have a hard time letting go of being the adult and in control etc. We went out and watched the rain come down, sitting on the front step. Then I watched her wander around the front yard with our broken umbrella, and then she picked me all the red tomatoes. I tried to get the other kids to join us outside because Summer storms are rare, but they were busy. It was such a fun moment with my Lindy, who is growing up far too quickly.