I’ve been writing about our family Christmas get togethers on here since 2008. To think that someone one day will go back and look at our family history is doubtful, but I carry on nonetheless. The traditions we have kept over the years, the growing children as our family expands and changes. Loss and joy,…
Tag: Aaz
Family Reunion 2021, back to Fruity
I would assume that my family still gets together most Sunday afternoons for dinner, so when I say that it’s time for our family reunion, what I really mean to say is that I’ll be a part of the gathering. I have time to fly up to Utah for a weekend in July, taxi over…
Christmas 2020
The weeks flew by since Thanksgiving, and just like that I find myself on the road back to Utah on Christmas Eve. It’s 5:30 a.m. and the sun is rising over the desert as I get out of town and start the long journey back for the Holidays. The calendar has aligned itself to allow…
The strange return home for Thanksgiving during a pandemic
I leave Zion National Park early in the morning on Thanksgiving, four hours until I see family. It’s been a year since I saw anyone. I’m a little nervous and apprehensive about the whole ordeal, as I want people to feel safe. My parents come over to my brother’s house, but only for a few…
A & K tie the knot
My brother finally found someone that truly makes him happy, and got married on August 23rd. I wasnt able to attend the wedding, but luckily they had the wedding reception last weekend, so I had a quick trip home to Utah to meet my new Sister-in-Law for the first time, and see the rest of…
Hidden Lake
The smoke from the surrounding wildfires has half of the park in an eerie haze, the other half is full of blue skies. We wake up early and drive the Going-to-the-Sun road, making our way to the top of the National Park for our first hike. We decide to try the Hidden lake trail. The…
Lake McDonald
It was easily ten degrees warmer than normal due to the surrounding forest fires. The smoke was reeking havoc on my sister-in-law and her asthma, as well as the little ones lungs. Regardless though, we wander around Apgar village for a place to rent some paddle boards for an afternoon on Lake McDonald. The surrounding…
Welcome back to Glacier…
As I landed at Glacier International Airport last August, I couldn’t help but think about the last time I was in this area with the family, which was in the summer of 2004. We drove up here from Utah, and had one grand kid at the time, and she was two years old. Fourteen years…
back for family time in the SLC
The time between visits back to Utah seems to get longer and longer. I’m settling in to a good life here in Arizona, and traveling back just gets harder. The last time I was in Utah was for our family Christmas party last year and the Celebration of Life for my Uncle Gene that lost…
Seeing things clearly up in Fruity land
It was a typical day on the lake, family reunion style. Nothing special to see, or was there? I paddle board with my nieces as they seem to grow up before my eyes. My nephew continues to surprise me with his sweetness and penchant for singing, guns and arrows, and general awesomeness. Tiny legs wrap tightly around…
The insta-story family reunion
Our family reunions now consist of days spent up at my brother’s cabin in Fruitland, Utah. I’m not complaining, I love it up there. I won’t lie though, I miss the days of going to new places with the family, but that hasn’t happened for ten years, since sister died. With all of…
Family Christmas 2016
2017 will mark the ten year anniversary of this little blog of my life, thoughts and adventures. Many different events have been shared over that time, but looking back at the times with my family are probably my most favorite. As I travel back home for Christmas this year, I recall past holidays… My 2015…