Jackson Hole--day 1

We traded in our Camry for a Sienna van.  Two years ago we downsides because our kids were driving their  own cars and sadly, we weren't driving in the same car as much.  I really didn't want to do it, but went against my gut.  So for the last two years we haven't been able to go in the car as a family unless we rented one which I hated. So I was thrilled to trade our Camry straight across for a van!!!  I am sure the picture above isn't identical to our picture, but it is the right color.  If anyone knows us well, it is that we trade our cars a  lot.  It isn't me, but Matt.  I just like to have the same car forever, preferably a van.  I even loved them when I was a teenager. 

We took our van to Jackson Hole.  We actually ended up taking two cars because  some of my kids had to come up later. So oh well, but at least when we went around the parks we were all in the same car!

Our first day in Jackson hole we got settled.  We didn't arrive until after five pm.  Katie and Sheryl were already there too.  We got together and ate dinner and wanted to see our new nephew/cousin.  He was adorable!!! 

The view from our deck.

Our room with the TV already on!!!

My new nephew, Abe

I have a brand new nephew--------Introducing, Abraham William Owens, born on Saturday, May  19th, 2012.  He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and he was 20 inches long.  My sister Katie had to have a C-section after being in labor for too long.  

I am so excited to meet him next month when I am in Seattle!!!  

Congratulations Katie and Tyler.  He is so precious!  Katie you will be the best mommy!!!

1st Mackey wedding of this generation--Jessica!!!

On May5th my niece Jessica Mackey got married to John Morrell in the Idaho Falls temple.  It was a beautiful day.  My Aunt Jan and Uncle Bob came from California on Wednesday, May 2nd to travel with us to Jessica's wedding.  It was so fun to have them at our home for a week!! We traveled to Idaho Falls in the early afternoon, traveling with my my brother Matthew's family.  Mikayla, my niece and close to Kara's age traveled in our car with us.  After arriving at our hotel we went shopping and then headed out to dinner.  It is fun going to a sit down place with 10 children and 8 adult---good times.  After we got home from dinner my brother John, and Annette and children came to our hotel and visited with us. We certainly did a lot of giggling!!!

Jessica and John coming out of the temple.

My nephews and Jessica's three handsome brothers!!!!  Johnny had to work the graveyard shift at his work in Rexburg.  He hadn't slept in 30 + hours in this photo.

It was freezing in Idaho Falls.  The high for the day was 48 degrees.  The temple has this adorable white  shawl you can use while taking pictures.

John certainly was brave to try this!!!

This is one of my favorite photos!!!

I love her dress!!!!  It was absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

Jessica and her mom!!  Annette and I grew up together and were the best of friend. It is pretty cool when one of your best friends is part of your family!

The whole group after the wedding!

The bride's side of the family

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Kara sang many songs all night at the wedding and so did my niece Layla and my nephew Steven.  It was very well done.

My family from left to right bottom row~~~~Layla, Cougar, Caleb, Mason, Steven, Kara, Brighton, Mikayla, Aunt Jan (my mom's sister), Uncle Bob, left to right  on the top row~~~~ My brother Mark, Mirah, Jett, Johnny, Nathan, John, Jessica, Annette, Brittany, My brother John, Suzanne, my brother Matthew, me and Matt!!

Uncle Bob's random pictures!!

And now this weekend, I am going to the Boise reception with  my sister in law Suzanne and most likely Coby!!!!!!  I just love weddings!!

Aunt Jan and Uncle Bob's visit from California, October 9th to 15th

 Aunt Jan and Uncle Bob came to visit for a week!!!! I love my Aunt Jan so much and Uncle Bob is pretty cool too.  Jan, is my mom's sister and only sibling. Whenever I get around  my aunt it amazes me how  much she reminds me of my mom.  She has been such a sweetheart to my siblings and I especially after my mom died.  She has made an effort to come for all of our important events.  She came to each of our weddings, many college graduations to name a few. 

While she was here we went to see my two  nephews Cougar and Brighton play soccer.  My brother, Matthew, also happens to be the coach.  Watching Cougar and Brighton play is quite a hoot. 

Cougar while taking a break during the game.  He is four and my brother Mark's little boy.

Brighton right after the game.  He is also four and is my brother Matthew's son.

Here is a picture of my Uncle Bob and Aunt Jan.  While they were visiting we did a lot of fun things.  One thing we ALWAYS do when she visits is to go to Quilted Bear.  My aunt can make amazing crafts and she and my cousin Jana use to have a boutique where they made amazing things. I have always wanted to be able to decorate like both of them.   While she was here we also went to Taipan, Jordan Landing, Hobby Lobby, Rod works, out to eat at Zupas, the bear, yogurt shop etc.  We also went to get pizza and we also did a lot of visiting. 

Here is a picture of my Aunt holding her grandson Dylan.   One funny thing is that my aunt had a great grandchild in August of 2010 and then her grandson was born a couple of weeks after!!!!! 

Sheryl's visit 9-10 to 9-18 and Nathan's baptism!!

While Sheryl was visiting we had both of my brothers and their families over for a big FHE.  It is always so  nice to get everyone together and have a good laugh over the cute kidlets!  Jessica, my niece, and also my brother John's daughter is a student at BYU and she and her boyfriend John came for dinner and FHE too.  They even  picked up Colton up in Orem and brought him over for dinner and that was a lot of fun!!!!  Doesn't Jessica and her boyfriend look cute together!!

My nephew Nathan got baptized on September 11th. We were really excited for him. He was so excited and his baptism was such a beautiful day! Sheryl drove to Utah from Washington to visit and she was happy when her visit was scheduled during the time of Nathan's baptism.  During the baptism service, Kara led the music, my husband Matt was one of the witnesses and I said the prayer.   It was a beautiful day

Matthew's family right after the baptism.  Brittany is already in her soccer clothes ready for her game.  She is super good and on a competitive team as are another niece and nephew!!!  Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of Sheryl while she was  here.  We had a really good visit and I enjoyed visiting with her.  I discovered it is much harder to have company over when you are working. I felt so bad leaving for work during the day knowing she was at my home. Luckily, that didn't happen everyday as she had to do stuff with her job, go to a wedding and she met my sister in laws for lunch!

Later after the baptism and a few of  my nieces and nephews soccer game we went to Red Robin.  Mark wasn't able to come to the baptism because their was a funeral in his ward and he is the bishop so he had to miss it, but he was able to come to Red Robin!!!

A picture of my adorable niece, Layla. She is 8.

A picture of  my adorable niece, Cumorah.  She is 6.

Here are two of my nephews, Cougar and Brighton.  They are a couple of  months apart and they always have fun when they are together.