I have a family tree...

The last week in July, we were able to travel to Utah for the Park family reunion. I was really grateful that we were able to go. Some of my favorite memories from growing up come from these reunions and it was so fun to see all of my cousins from this side of the family who are such a big part of those memories.

Those of you who knew me in college will find this hard to believe, but I didn't take very many pictures at all...or at least not of very many events. I'm really regretting this, but I think that I might just steal some of the pictures that my sisters and cousins have posted when I make my blog book to make it more complete. :)

We started out the vacation by leaving at 6 am, which is why Mason is still in his night shirt. Mason LOVES puzzles and played with this animal puzzle happily for the first hour or so of the trip.

Traveling with a toddler and a nursing baby made the ride MUCH longer than when I drove it alone or with other adults. Our first unplanned stop happened by the side of I-80.

Carter had been crying and I was reaching back to try to comfort him. All of the sudden Mason started crying and saying his favorite request "Carry me!" over and over again. I thought he was just jealous of the attention and I reached back to hold his hand and asked him to stop crying.

Well, I felt horrible when a few moments later he threw up the whole glass of juice that he had just had from McDonalds along with some apples. :( :( THere was a TON of it. Needless to say, David didn't waste much time in pulling over. I rushed to comfort Mason...and David did what he could to clean the car seat and the surrounding area.

Poor little guy, I know he got this horrible trait of car sickness from me. I remember following our cousins to a reunion, when we were really little and there were a couple different cars and everyone had to stop 'cuz a couple kids from each car had gotten sick. Must be a going-to-a-reunion-thing.

So...our next stop was at an obscure town to purchase children's draminine.

We had come to Utah a day early so that we could see Cindy and AJ, who graciously let us stay at AJ's parents house (who were out of town).

It was very nice to have a washing machine and a hose so that we could clean up the car seat, David did most of it!

THe next morning, we were able to visit one of my dear roommates, CHristy and her adorable little Katie and her husband Roger. I am SOO mad that I didn't get a picture!

We then met up with Cindy and AJ and Diana and Brandon and David's siblings Cindy and Aaron at the Provo Winger's. Mason was a pill, but it was fun none-the less.

One of my cousins, Kristin, is a professional photographer, so Diana and I arranged for her to take some pictures of our kids. She did such a great job and I am very happy with her work. Here are just a few of the awesome pictures that she took:

She does fantastic work, and any of you who live in Utah, I would highly recommend her! Even if you don't live in Utah, she will travel and I think it would be worth it to have her as your photographer! Click here to be taken to her website.

At the reunion, we spent a lot of time visiting and eating

and chasing kids. One of the only things that I did take pictures of was when some of the little kids got the opportunity to ride a horse.

Mason was a little unsure at first, but he definitely loved the whole experience.

Here is Mason with his 2nd cousin, Zachary. They are born within a month of each other.

No reunion would be complete without the classic kids in the bath tub shot. At least I remember having some pictures of us like this. I wish Levi would have been in this picture, to make it complete. :)

Katie is always so good to play with the kids, and they love her for it!

We had Smore's the last night there. David thought it was so funny that I got marshmallow in my hair, I don't remember the details, but I know that somehow it was his fault!

Just minutes before we had to leave, AJ went out in the lake to act as a target for the water balloon slingshot. Unfortunately...he was hit right in the collarbone, ouch! After that, David and Brandon went out in the canoe to gather all of the water balloons that did not hit AJ.