r.c. stutz reunion 2012

During our summer trip to Utah 2012, we not only celebrated the girls' 4th birthday, but also the return of our favorite senior missionaries--Jordan's parents.  They returned home from serving 18 months in the Spokane, WA mission, and were we ever glad to see them!!
We were in charge of the R.C. Stutz family reunion that year, so we decided we would spend our time together celebrating the upcoming arrivals of a niece and nephew with a double baby shower, doing a few service projects around the R.C. Stutz homestead, and hearing Mom and Dad report on their mission.  We loved every minute of the reunion--especially the reuniting part!

two little fishies...

Yes indeed, our little girls are part fish.  They took swim lessons over summer 2012 and boy, was it fun to watch.  It worked out quite nicely too--their lessons started at 10, which was around the time Graham went down for his first nap, so Jordan just stayed home with him and studied there until I got back.  It was so fun to be able to see the girls in one of their first experiences as a "student".  They were pretty good most of the time, and the swim instructors did a pretty good job of keeping them busy, but every once-in-a-while, the rascal would come out in them, and they would start climbing out, and then jumping in to the pool while the teacher was giving instructions.  What can I say?  Fish gotta swim:)

look who's 29...

On June 28th 2012, we celebrated my 29th birthday.  We didn't do anything too fancy, but Jordan and the kids did make me a delicious cake and gave me a bouquet of sunflowers.  I felt so loved!  Jordan and I also went out and tried a new Louisiana style restaurant, which was so-so.  We had fun at dinner, though.  There was a live band and we were able to bring home some free "mardi-gras" necklaces for the girls--which were a fun surprise for them because, well, they were sparkly!  Jordan did try his first and probably his last (too slimy) oyster during dinner, which was pretty funny to watch.  How blessed I feel for my sweet family and for all I have been given.  Here's to another great year!

payson grotto...

Also while visiting Utah during the summer of 2012, we enjoyed spending time with my sister and her family.  One of our adventures together included a trip to the Payson grotto.  This involved a nice hike to an isolated area that had a cavern with a waterfall flowing through the middle; emptying into a small stream below.

As hiking and water were both involved (not to mention, cousins!!) the girls were in "little-kid heaven".  We had a hard time keeping up with them!  Jordan carried Graham in a homemade sling, and baby was quite content during the outing--just like always!  He really is such a mellow little one.