Rowley Family Reunion

The Rowley reunion (Frank's brother's and their families) was held in Monticello, Utah. But before we headed on to Monticello, we had to stop in Blanding at The Patio for some yummy burgers!

We camped on Blue Mountain. Judging from the pictures, you'd think that all we did was fish. Well, that was pretty much all the kiddos wanted to do. That and ride the quad. But we only have pictures of fishing it seems. What's all the commotion over here?Sammy (I think? I can't keep all of these kids straight...I'm lucky to remember Bret's cousins' names!) caught a water snake!Oh! And we got pictures of a few deer...
A doe and her fawn...

There was much, much more! Like the annual softball game, H.O.R.S.E. competition, and horseshoe tournament. But obviously, we forgot to get pictures!

Bret's 35th BYOB Party!

Have you ever been to a BYOB party? I'm not talking about beer...I'm talking BROOMS!
For Bret's 35th birthday I had a surprise party planned. He found out. We had the party anyway, it just wasn't a surprise.

I'd invited all of our closest friends to join us for a little game of broom hockey. I fully expexted it to be a fairly mellow game with all of us geriatrics playing. I may have been wrong...

It was intense! People were getting checked into the accordion doors. Others were scrambling on the floor for the ball. Broom pieces went flying, handles were breaking. People tried using broken brooms and ended up with cuts on their hands. Rusty lost his glasses a few times and got a nasty scratch on his arm (from the aforementioned accordian door). In short, there was blood, sweat, and tears of joy.

I had bruised ankles (and judging from the next picture, I'm not so sure I can blame anybody else). Genice just recently gave birth six weeks ago (roughly) and was still in the thick of things 90% of the time.

Sadly, the birthday boy's team got slaughtered...multiple times. we blame the brooms. They had two of those old straw brooms...that's the stuff to use! But it was still a good time! I haven't laughed so much in a very long while. The attending party: Rose, John, Tracy, Ryan, Genice, Zack, Shane, Kayleen, Rusty, Sharla, Julie, Preston, Bret, Hollie, Cade, Diana, Rene, Mike, Sarah, Chad. Todd was taking the picture because you know Todd...too good for pictures.The aftermath:

I hope you had as much fun at your birthday party as I did, Bret!

A shout out to Sarah for taking the pictures! You're awesome! And to Kendra for getting us the venue! Whoot, whoot!

Is There a Doctor in the House?

We now have a doctor in the family! Okay...he's not technically in my family, but he feels like a brother to me!
On Friday my friends and I attended the graduation of our friend, Dr. Derek Dewitt!

It was boring as heck, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world! And I still don't exactly know how to use my camera so the pictures are crap. Kayleen, help!

Here's Derek strutting his stuff... About to be strangled...
His biggest fans...

Okay, maybe his REAL family members were his biggest fans, but we were in a close second. Because look! We had signs! And an air horn!
And Derek in that picture is your clue as to who dropped the ball in the "Who's Dr. Erek?" incident...technically it still could have been me because I traded places with Nancy to take pictures...but we'll blame Red. Here we are after the ceremony...Derek and his harem!

Here he is with his fam...
Brother and Sister Dewitt

Bro. Dewitt being Bro. Dewitt.
I love that guy!
Brad and Emmy Stacy and her husband (his name escapes me right now) Jesse and Robin.Ladies, notice there's no pictures with a wife......ahem!

Afterwards Lynae and I took a little tour down memory lane. Or nightmare lane. Here are the houses we grew up in--

Mine...

Dear House, Oh how very white trash you've become.

Lynae's...

I made Lyane take the pics because she was next to the window. She swore she was going to get shot for doing it.

We met at the old 3rd ward building afterwards for a dinner partay!I couldn't resist some pictures of the old building. Very little has changed, but enough to make me sad.Awesome courtyard. Why don't they build churches with courtyards any more? Derek being Derek. He always has to take goofy pictures with food. Congratulations Doctor Dorek! Hehee. Seriously though, I couldn't be prouder!

Memorial Day

Our Memorial Day consisted of good food, swimming and... HOMEMADE ROOT BEER! I was rather excited. I hadn't had that in a looooong time.
Mr. Ev enjoyed his hot dog, hot dog, hotdiggity dog. But the bun.....hmmmm, not so much. And we had yummy pork ribs.

And beef ribs that would have made the Flintstones proud.

Grayson took my camera and discovered a love of photography.

He was particularly enamored by Grandma's lawn ornaments. He posed them all together.
And separate.

He thought this particular green tomato was a sight that needed to be shared with the world.

Grandma took the camera and took a few pictures.

Then she gave it back to Gray... We'll title this one "We see you and we are going to kill you."

Pleasant dreams...