Vacation in Greer!

Amazingly it happened. We were able to take vacation in summer and for the Fourth of July no less! Every year Bryant's family congregates at his Grandparent's cabin in Greer, Arizona. It has been at least 4 years since the last time we made it. We were very excited about being able to be with his family and enjoy nature and the wonderful weather that always welcomes us in Greer.

On the drive down the GPS in Bryant's phone rerouted us at Price, UT so that we did not travel through Moab like we intended. Instead we traveled south to Hanksville (or something like that). This was both a blessing and a curse. The children really wanted to get out in Moab and play at the park that we stopped at in October last year and Bryant did not want to add additional time to the trip. So being rerouted eliminated the ability to stop so no one had to lose. Unfortunately, we did not know when the next gas station was and were concerned because we had planned on Moab being the next fuel station. We did, however, enjoy the store built into the mountain in Hanksville (if that is where it was). The children were amazed that parts of the mountain were actually interior walls. Thankfully, we were able to get gas and continue on our journey without further incident.

Ironically, we had this misdirection partially because I was reading the book "Dad is Fat" by Jim Gaffigan. I wasn't paying attention to the signs or GPS because I was reading the book aloud and did not have time to take in everything about the turn when questioned by Bryant. Anyway, "Dad is Fat" is a great book, especially if you have children. We found that we related to so many of his stories and enjoyed the comical relief he provided. It was a light and easy read and crossed off one of the books that Bryant and I each had to read for our summer reading program. I would highly recommend it.

Once in Greer, we thoroughly enjoyed relaxing! Bryant and I hardly saw each other, other than to sleep at night, the first couple of days we were there because one of us was often off with some children doing something. He would take some fishing in the morning, I would take some to the creek in the afternoon. He would take some fishing and I would take them to the town park. We were constantly crossing paths and not seeing each other that we both felt like we were vacationing alone. It was really weird and we focused on finding each other a little more after that.

Hunter's never ending birthday was celebrated again at the Cabin on its official day. I was completely lazy and made two box cakes in 9x13 pans and let him frost them. I was grateful that he didn't need any fancy cake after I told him that I was just not up to making it because I wanted to relax on vacation too.

Connor also celebrated his first birthday! He is the first of my children to actually enjoy his birthday cake. I think part of the reason he didn't like food before was because he was just waiting to eat birthday cake. Ever since, he has happily tried new foods and textures and really loves toast and bananas.
--side note: when we go grocery shopping and Connor sees me purchase bananas he gets really upset that he cannot eat them right there! I have gotten in the habit of looking for a produce associate and talking to Connor about how I understand that he wants to eat a banana but that I have to buy them before he can eat one, in hopes that the associate will walk over and ask if I would like him to give each of my children half a banana. Gunnar got in such a habit of Raif working produce and giving him a banana each time that he was in tears a couple of months ago when we got to the check out that the clerk gave him one of the extras she had at the register when I explained his dilemma. I sure do appreciate Smith's for sharing their produce with my children while we shop!--

The Fourth of July Parade in Springerville/Eager (closest town to Greer) was delightful. It rained before it started and began raining again when it ended. The children had fun running and collecting the candy that was thrown out. This year (and maybe other years) some of the floats had water balloons that they threw at the crowed. That made for a fun alternative to the candy. I learned that my brother-on-law Jeremy is just as crazy (if not crazier) than myself at parades. I blame my father for my actions but I'm not sure were Jeremy gets it from because his parents are happy to just sit and watch :) After the parade was over Brylee had to use the bathroom (the closest one was across the street and down a little ways at Basha's) and Bryant had disappeared to the van with a load of stuff. After looking momentarily for him, I hear someone comment about how Gunnar has ants on his legs. He was playing the rocks around a tree that was also the home of a bunch of ants.  He was covered! I quickly grabbed him and brushed off tons of ants, then moved him and brushed off more, and moved him a third time and brushed him off again before I felt like I got them all. Thankfully, he did not get bit.

Here are the random pictures from our vacation

We visited 4 corners. Bryant waited "in line" for like an hour so that we could stand on the four corners for a moment and get a picture before the next people came forward for their picture. It was crazy but now we have done it and don't have to do it again for a long time (if ever)

Hunter eating his cake

Connor in the hammock

Gunnar always took his shoes off and constantly had dirty feet :P

Brylee in the hammock

Me with Connor while roasting marshmallows

Who knew star wars monopoly could be so exciting. Hunter loved it and played it several times!

Bryant taking a nap after getting up early to go fishing

Fun at the nearby creek in the afternoon

Hunter and Gunnar

We lost power one afternoon during a storm but Uncle Jeremy came to the rescue. He brought a couch and tv up with him among other things to help provide additional seating with everyone there. When the power went out he hooked his tv/computer up to his Jeep and we all watched the newest Night at the Museum. 

Here is Connor with his traditional first year birthday cupcakes. He finally decided that eating any type of food was acceptable and he is the first of my 5 children to enjoy his cupcake on his birthday!

Here is the group of us waiting for the parade to start! We are certainly a wild bunch once the candy starts getting thrown.

These are pictures from the park in Greer. The kids had lots of fun.

Here is Tucker pretending to be dead under the weight of his cousin Luke

Gunnar and Brylee discovered they could fit between the screen and the door on the front porch and enjoyed putting each other in jail. 

Gunnar loved Great Grandma Cooley's frozen cherries

Gunnar and Aaron seemed to constantly be attacking each other. In this round Aaron won with a stick to Gunnar's face.

We found this really awesome beetle. All the children had fun watching it and screaming when it actually flew.

Hunter took a round in the ring with the ground. Somehow he "fell" out of the swing and ate the dirt

We helped clean up the late Great Grandma Whiting's house in Taylor for a morning while we were there and were a little surprise to find this hiding under some of the accumulation in the back yard.