Reasbeck Reunion

Well, it felt like a reunion of sorts. Wednesday, technically Thursday morning at 2am, my sister Gretchen and her family rolled into town. Ryan and her braved the dreaded 11 hour trip with their 4 boys in their trusty Odyssey.  It was their first time visiting since we had moved to Vegas last year and we were so excited to have them come. 

We got the visit going with a running start. The boys were all floored that we were swimming in the morning. "You go swimming in the morning?!" (They must think people in Vegas are crazy.) Livi and Aaron had been in "class" all week. Well, Livi had been in a dance class put on by some girls in our ward, and the brothers of the dance students got to join the instructors older brother out back in their pool for some fun. So while Livi danced the boys swam... at 9:30 AM! It was so fun for me to see my nephews getting so big. Evan (9 in July) was swimming without aide and without a care in the world. He is a bit more on the timid side of things but in the pool... he was jumping off the grato. Chandler (6) is still getting his floatie-less fins used to their freedom and so his zeal for adventure is a little dampened but did finally slither off the end of the slide. Ethan (4, in the yellow "muscles") well, he still is deciding what he wants to do. The dog swimming in the pool and running around the deck made him very nervous, but he was trying so hard. He even tried petting her once. For the most part he enjoyed the playhouse in the yard. Aaron, yes he jumped off the grato as well, and then I signed him up with Tanner, the dance instructor's brother, for swim lessons the entire week. I wanted him to have some brains to the along with the fearless brawn. (The little one in the life jacket was another dance class brother.)

 And sweet Chasers... what a cutie. We missed his 1st birthday by only a couple of days, being that it is the 18th and they left the 16th... but ohh what a CUTIE! I haven't seen any of the Reasbecks since Christmas and 6 months is a long time not to see a baby. I will admit, when I saw him, upon arriving, he absolutely melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I have NEVER had that happen before. It was so strange for me. I truly feel that mom's spirit is still with him. (I never could explain the bond that Aaron had with my mom. He was so young yet sooo responsive to her. More so than just another baby with a cooing grandmother. She held his gaze and soothed him like no one else could. As mom became ill I could see heaven and earth uniting through the two of them. Babies are so close to heaven and all the love that is there. I have no doubt that Chase is bringing that love of my mom back to us. After all, he was the last one of us to be with her, only 1 short year ago.)

Later that afternoon, Gretchen and I took the kids to the park, Ryan was feeling ill, and Bill was in DC due to be back late that night. For dinner I made pizzas. Evan, being the age he is and the sensible one said, "Why don't we just order pizza?" After the first bite he said, "Ohh, this is good!" and I said, "That's why I make it!" I tried a new topping, as our family LOVES pepperoni and pineapple, but I had all the makings for a BBQ chicken pizza and it was FABULOUS! Even Ryan was feeling better and thoroughly enjoyed my homemade pizzas. (Thanks Uncle Bill, but I will admit, I've added a "secret" ingredient to the crust... sugar on the peel...sshhh.) My proudest moment, 4 pizzas and no smoke alarm!

Dinner was put away and we headed off to the strip. Ryan

was flying home tomorrow to get some things done around the house and wanted to see

the strip with his boys, so, we went to the Belagio. It was fun to see the conservatory at night and the water show was fantastic. I especially liked that it was the same show I had seen 8 years ago with my mom. Celine Dion, "My heart will go on." Ethan was so cute, "It feels like we're floating in the clouds!"

Friday was up and at it once again. Except this time everyone, including adults, were much more tired. After the water show we searched for ice cream and settled on Cold Stone(thanks for the treat Ryan), but didn't get home 'til, very late. Bill and I woke up 15 minutes before needing to leave! We called down to all the kids to get ready if they wanted to go swimming. We hurriedly climbed into my car (we had left Gretchen and Ryan asleep with the baby) and drove off to Livi's last practice. Today was her recital! My neighbor texted me to make sure everything was okay... with the way we left, everyone in such a hurry...I laughed and told her we're perfecting our fire drill. We all joined up at the church after swimming to watch Livi perform. (The instructors mom had keys to the building so they set out chairs and

refreshments in the gym so the girls could use the stage. They even got to wear makeup!) She was so fun to watch. In all honesty, she was one of the few who followed through the whole routine. (This coming from the girl who cried hysterically and had to be carried off the stage completely petrified, the first time she sang with primary for Father's Day in church 2 years ago.) She loved being on stage and did great. The instructors were so great, they even had awards printed for all the girls and a little stuffed animal. SO FUN! It was really neat that Livi's cousins got to be there, I know it made her feel extra special that everyone was there, even daddy.

Bill went to work, I took Ryan to the airport and Gretchen took a nap. The scene I came home to was... hilarious! No joke; Evan was running in the culd-e-sac flying a paper kite he had made, 

Ethan was riding a scooter along side of him. Chandler and Livi were lying in the garage on their stomachs drawing something, Aaron was writing on a card. They had taped a sign to the garbage can that said, "water staned $1.00" and had made a robot out of my recycling. Chalk, markers and paper were strewn about and recycling had been sifted through. Soon after my arrival they started bowling with the safety cones and using a blueberry produce container for a score board. Such innovative young minds. Evan was so rightfully proud of his ingenuity. I asked him if his mom had helped with everything and he simply replied, "No, mom's asleep, we just wanted to play and I thought, this would be good." The water for sale, was for the construction workers, in case they got thirsty. 

The kids needed a change of venue for their craftiness so they moved inside and per Gretchen's suggestion played restaurant. She was soon reminded why mom didn't want her playing restaurant all that often. By the time the kids are done playing, they are totally done and clean up is NOT FUN! But watching them play was a riot. All the personalities of the kids shone through

 from Evan being the oldest and wanting things done "right", down to Aaron trying to eat Ethan's chocolate Oreo pudding, and Chandler's for that matter. (Actually, Aaron's fixation with eating everyone's food escalated while the Reasbecks were here. Quite simply because he had never been around so much opportunity to do so. Ethan and Chandler especially didn't like this one bit. Chan is somewhat of a germ-a-phobe and Ethan, well, I don't blame the kid. I wouldn't want someone eating my pudding, or sandwich, or pizza, or yogurt, or drinking my drink either!!! ARGH AARON! 

And for "dessert", who knew a park in the dark could be so fun?! It is a pretty cool park.

Pre-game nutrition

What would a visit be without taking our visitors to Red Rock Canyon be. It was nice to be there as it has admittedly been a while. I didn't know what the boys would think of it, but they 

really enjoyed it. Even Chandler, who self admittedly gets bored with EVERYTHING, loved climbing the rocks. Bill graciously

carried Chasers on his back while I helped the kids climb higher and Gretchen kept us cautious. Two new things happened, we went further on a trail than we had before, which meant longer for me to carry Aaron back (yay!), AND we saw wildlife. The biggest lizard I have ever seen out of a cage. Chandler discovered it and Bill got the picture. Very cool.

The next day, Sunday, Bill and I packed up for our getaway to Jackson Hole, WY. Gretchen, by default, lovingly agreed to watch all 6 kids solo while my dad and Gee traveled down to relieve her. (Angie was watching the kids for us while Dad was driving back home with Gretchen and the boys.)

While this was the end of our visit with the Reasbecks, Livi and Aaron got to enjoy them 'til Tuesday. Sunday, they baked cookies had ice cream sundaes and made a sign to welcome Papa and Gee. Monday, everyone went to the buffet at the Red Rock Casino, bowling, and to the Mini Gran Prix. Even I'll admit that that's a lot for one day.

Thank you to the Reasbecks for coming down to see us. We know it's a long trip, but we feel so blessed to have been able to share a part of our lives with you. Love you tons! And Gretchen, one day our kids will be totally independent and we'll have more energy than to just vegg on the couch watching Fool's Gold (which I really did like). Love ya sis and thanks for the pics!