I Guess 'Awesome' Runs in the Family... UT part 3
Are you ready for more from our summer vacation? I must go back and get it recorded!
I say part 3, but really it's like part 27!
I have already written about our first week here:
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Don't you love that photo? I adore it!
I love my brother Ryan! This was our first year staying at his house. It has been under construction and such in years past. I've not gotten a lot of time with him in years past, we were stoked to stay with him, even for just a couple of days.
Let me tell you about this picture first, then I'll tell you the rest.
He came home from work and was going for a run. I'm a runner, I can appreciate that.
Then he came out in a plastic bag over his chest, while he was putting his shirt on.
I was confused, I've seen the plastic bag maneuver to keep warm, to lose water weight. I didn't know why he was wearing it.
He told me it was to protect his vest from the sweat. He can't wash it so it helps keep it un-stink-ified.
I was like, what vest?
We went into the garage and he unlocked his gun cabinet.
Woa... gear!
It was one of those moments, you know, when you feel like a tard because you never knew how cool your brother is.
He's cool, I mean he's my brother and he's cool.
But seeing him get all outfitted to run I was like... He is cool!!!
He runs with all of this extra weight, because that is what he has to wear!
He no longer runs with his empty machine gun on there... was getting looks of terror from those he passed!
I went ahead and tried it all on, because I think I'm tough! Let's face it, I am!
It was heavy! Respect. Instead I just took fun pictures and let him do the running!
He's so cool!
I loved laughing with him. He is so lighthearted!
Thursday the 16 we packed our stuff and headed to Ryan's. I was having a bit of a melt down at this point, it is a lot of work packing all our crap up, getting it in the car, unpacking it again... I expressed to my kids that if I had to do it one more time by myself, we'd be staying the rest of our vacation at grandma's house! I'd love to say I did all mature and in control, but I was beyond that!
When I got to Ry's house I was crying to my husband about how frazzled I felt. In no time flat all of my nephews were outside to help carry all of our stuff inside! I love them! I didn't have to ask for any help!
My boys look up to their big boy cousins, and these boys are wonderful.
In years past the age gap between our girls has seemed too far apart for them to really enjoy each other. They had a ball together this year.
Again, it was great to be in their life with them.
After I took a deep breath we packed up our lunches, rockstar Jeni had them all ready, even for my family, and we went up the canyon.
I wanted to be in the mountains this year, more than once. I was glad to go again.
We hiked Donut Falls. We had some adventures along the way. E fell before we even started, into stinging nettle. We took a wrong turn. Kids had to pee. BUT, it was great!
As we got to the falls the big boy cousins helped everyone across the water. They hiked around a little then we sat and ate lunch.
I treated us all to Slurpee's on the way home. It was warm!
Back at home Jeni and I visited while the kids played.
There was air hockey, instrument playing, computer time and gymnastics.
I wowed my gymnast nephew with my own skillz! Yes, I'm the cook aunt that can still do tricks!
My head looks like it will pop off, but I enjoyed the rings!
Thursday we went to the WAIRhouse after breakfast... and a trip to Seagull Book. We got there too early so we did some book shopping.
I totally wasted my morning shower. We got sweaty! I love jumping and doing tricks! We all played dodge ball and I recorded the kids doing tricks. We had a great time!!! My poor nephew got hurt, but hung out while we all played.
We had so much fun at Uncle Ryan's house!
Also...
- Sat in on the missionary visit with the two boys their family has sort of taken in.
- Spent much time visiting with the one boy about his life and future. He had lots of questions for me.
- Those two girls could not stop laughing! We sat and visited at night and could hear them giggle and giggle.
- The boys were happy to have some computer time!
- Sunday we attended S's Eagle Court of Honor. I've never been much for scouting, but felt a new desire to help my boys achieve this as I attended. I'm so proud of my nephews, but also of my brother and sis in law. They have raised such great kids.
This life is such an interesting journey isn't it?
You grow up with these people and have memories of them during childhood, both good and not so good! I still remember the time Ryan kicked me so hard in the crotch I screamed at him through my slammed door that if I couldn't have babies because of it I'd never forgive him! :)
Now we are all adults together. I am raising my kids and he is raising his. I watched his second boy jump up when Ry got home from work. He ran to get his 10 lb pack to run with his dad, my brother. He not only wanted to run with his pop, but he wanted to carry a heavy pack like his pop!
I'm not sure if proud is the right word, but I sure am impressed at the man my brother has become. He is such a great father. He is patriotic, he is lively. He is inappropriate, but deeply faithful too! He loves to have fun, but will hold the line when his kids step over it. He works so hard to take care of his family and has taught them to enjoy life too. He is so much like our dad in this way. I love that about him.
It had been too long since I was able to savor all that is Ryan. I love him!
I will plug here too that much of their family success goes to Jeni, my sister in law. I haven't spent much time with her in the past, but I so admire her. It was so great to be with her. She is strong. Some would say she is quiet, but she is of strong opinion and will. She would do anything for her family and has sacrificed much for all of them.
What great people! This is why we have to go back every year! I want my kids to know this... family, these people... are part of who they are and who they will become.
Thanks to the Ryan Cooper family for our wonderful time!