Family History Tour of Provo

To wrap up the family reunion we ended with a tour of historic family sites in Provo. It started at this home which is where my dad lived from age 2 to 12. It was a tight fit for my grandparents and 5 kids. My dad says he remembers a time where 4 of the 5 were in one room. The tour also went past Academy Square which was college for both of my grandparents and elementary through high school for my father. Then on to the thrift store across the street which was the gym where my grandparents meet. Past the corner building where Goldsmith Jewelers used to be that was my grandma's college apartment. To Central Bank on University Ave where my grandpa's Utah Savings and Loan used to be. We ended at the house at the base of "Y" mountain where my dad moved at age 12 and the family resided there till my grandmothers death.

Uncle Steve, Aunt Gina, and my Dad in front of their childhood home. Posing by the post that was the location of many family snapshots.

McKay and Ellie playing in the back.

Playing in the same ditch were Grandpa used to play.

This is the overgrown entrance to the "Y" mountain house. The new owner that bought it from my cousin a few years ago was gracious enough to let our whole family tromp through her house so we could walk down memory lane. This was the one stop on the route that I had memories of my own. Of my grandma's stale air popped unflavored popcorn on the counter. Her player piano that we all loved to sit at. Her creepy downstairs that I don't think I even ventured into in her lifetime. The huge rubber tree plant that overwhelms the living room. It was great to go back and reminisce together.

My Grandma's kitchen. Modernized a little but very true to the original.

Lacy, Tiara, Me , and Emily
We were the four cousins close in age that would always play when our families got together. Taken in front of the famous rubber tree. Notice how I tower over them at a whopping 5'4". The Grow family is a short bunch.

On our fist stop we weren't able to go inside the first house. We went back the next day and were able to see inside.

McKay, Ellie, Grandma, Lindsay, Me, Grandpa, and Aaron. All in front of the house at 314 North.

Going for a spin.

Family Reunion

In honor of my Grandpa Grows 100th birthday the whole Grow clan got together for a family reunion at Brighton in Utah. We hadn't had a family reunion since '86. We had about 85 people show. All my Aunts and Uncles and out of 29 cousins only 3 didn't make an appearance. Sleeping quarters were a little tight but it was wonderful to get reacquainted with cousins I hadn't seen in years. It was also fun to see our children play together.

My mom had spent weeks putting together a book on my grandpa that was the story of his life. I never got to know him so it was great to get a feel for the person that he was. My Aunt Gina put together some videos. For the first she put some old 8mm on DVD. It was great to see that generation in action and to have proof that taste in short-shorts is passed down genetically. Like father like son, Wyatt. She also made a slide show on DVD of family photos set to music. It documented 6 generations starting with my great great grandparents and ending with my children and their second cousins. She even made a copy for everyone to take home.

All in all it was a very enjoyable 3 days. We plan to do it again in another 6 years for my Grandma's 100th.

McKay was worn out from

his late nights.

Dean leading morning yoga

My Uncle Steve with his granddaughter Scout. Me with Clara and Ellie.

Ellie, Uncle Steve, Scout enjoying a nature walk.

Ellie reading about the native animals.

McKay in the bounce house

The back view of the group photo

Truckee River

I'm ashamed to say that we have lived in Reno for over 3 1/2 years and this was our first time down to the Truckee River. Through downtown the city has turned the plain river into a wonderful kayak and tube float park. It splits in two directions and then comes back together all along the way there are boulders and slides, The current of the water is not at all scary and the day we were there people were everywhere.

McKay enjoyed running along the rocks and also throwing things in. He doesn't really love getting in the water himself.

Grandpa and Ellie

Ellie when she was still happy. Shortly after Wyatt was carrying her and slipped into the water drenching Ellie and losing one of her shoes. This cut our trip short. She cried for about a half hour after about how much she loved her shoe and that we needed to go to Old Navy to get new ones.

Ellie's First Dance Class

Today was Ellie's first dance class. She was very excited. She got to wear her new leotard and ballet slippers. I did have to wash her leotard before class since two days ago she wore it all day and refused to take it off.
Natural talent. This is before class.

the Tiny Tots lineup

Waiting her turn to cross the floor "holding her cake".

And kicks

Video to come. I'm having problems!

GOOOAAALLL!!!

The kids love having Ryan around because he's all about fun. On Sunday they took advantage of him being home and took him on in a game of soccer, and a little wrestling.

The "come and get me" look

The set-up

Score!

Dad lining up his shot

Ahhh, missed it!

Ryan is a STAR!!

On Thursday , June 14, Ryan was on KOLO 8 Daybreak news broadcast. He demonstrated how we make shrimp tacos and showed off a few other entree items. The anchor talked with him for about 2 minutes, then the other anchor came over and started digging in to some chips and guacamole. The kids and I were at home and watched Dad on TV. Ryan had a lot of people that day mention that they had seen him on the news. I guess people really do watch something other than cartoons at 6:45 am.

Ryan with Carmen. She has been our saving grace ever since we opened Bajio. She is a very hard worker. She is the main reason Ryan has been able to have even a smidgen of a life.

Sampling the food.

Ryan worked very hard to make this setup look good. He stayed up late going to stores buying supplies and got up at 4:30 to prep all the food. What a trooper!!