Another Trip to Utah

Yes, we did it again. Left Jake at home and went to visit and play with family. The sacrifices he makes for law school. We had a great time.

We went to Gardener Village (mom and sisters).



Fun Halloween Hats

 

What silly little witches.

Even though the adults were there to socialize and shop, the kids thought it would be more fun to run around and climb on the decor. 

Our 3 models.

Of course, when the Gledhill (Kartchner/Watterson/DeMann) women got together, there is lots of laughing and fun.

Then Ellie and I made the drive up the changing Parley's Canyon to visit the majority of the Watterson's. I am glad most of them have decided to live near each other. It makes it so much easier from me to visit family. ;)
 

Had to pull over and take this shot. It's been a while since Utah had colors like these.

Ellie and Becca are already little trouble makers and I envision they will turn out much like the rest of the cousin pairs (Zach and Avery, Brody and Nathanial). The trio of girls (Maddie, Gracie, and Jess) and the older boys (Matt and Cody) don't seem to cause as much anxiety as the other kids.

Of course, part of visiting Grandma Connie and Grandpa Steve is seeing their petting zoo, I mean, farm animals. Ellie and Becca feed the chickens and tried to hold some chicks. The chicks small feet felt weird and they mostly got dropped. Then they tried to find the sheep but you only ever end up chasing them around. Next, Bessie (?) the milk cow and Stella the pregnant mule.


Ellie really likes animals, can you tell?



The girls with Stella.

Ellie riding/sitting on Stella

Becca riding/sitting on Stella

I know biologically mules cannot become pregnant but this mule is so fat, some people have mistakenly referred to it as a pregnant mule.

After some nap time, Ellie and I went to visit Kristine and Ellie's new cousin Ben. I wasn't able to take a picture of her holding him because well, frankly, she didn't like it that much. He was in her arms/on her lap for all of 3 seconds before she was done. I think Kris does have an awesome picture of her pulling a face and pushing him away.

I am amazed at what the Watterson's have done. They have beautiful gardens full of fruits and vegetables along with the animals. They also keep bees and harvested quite a bit of honey this year. It is a nice step away from busy life.

We stayed and hung out so the girls could play on the swing set, play with the older cousins, play in the dirt, play some more in the dirt, and eat dinner with Grandma, Grandpa and Maddie, and Marc, Cassie, and Becca. Hayley was a bystander as Ellie was sitting in her chair. We had such a good time, I don't know how Ellie forced herself to stay awake for the drive home.