8 Weeks

(READ THE BLOG ON SEPTEMBER 7th. FOR SOME REASON, I JUST POSTED OCT 2nd IT AND IT PUT IT DOWN THERE....)

(I started this blog Sept 23... Just updated and posted it today on OCT 2, 2009)

I have to admit, I posted that blog on Sept 7th a bit earlier than was comfortable. Unfortunately, when you find yourself in a difficult position, sometimes it's easiest to tell people what's going on rather than battle it alone. So far, this pregnancy has been less exciting, and more emotional. From the very beginning (my birthday in fact) we have had our challenges with it. All I can say is we've overcome a lot already and as of my last doctors appointment I have what is called subchorionic bleed, or a blood clot under the baby's placenta and between the uterine wall. I have had some spotting with it, which comes and goes, and obviously this puts us as a higher risk for a miscarriage.

Right now, there is not much we can do medically for the problem. I am on a modified bed rest - which basically means, I rest most the day, but I can walk from time to time. Lifting and exercise of any kind are not recommended. I'm trying as hard as I possibly can not to aggravate the situation. So far, the baby seems to be handling it well. Still growing at a normal rate, and making sure it's Mommy get's her share of morning sickness a long the way (which I'm actually happy about because IT'S NORMAL in pregnancy and I'm glad to see something normal happening).

I am at 8 weeks right now. I have my next ultrasound October 29th. We hope that the clot will have dissolved by that point, or hopefully being in my second trimester that things will be more stable. For now, all I can do is pray and take one day at a time. I've been on bed rest two weeks now.

Shayne has been a great help during this process. Besides cooking and cleaning, he makes sure that I have water bottles set aside in the fridge for me throughout the day. Same with Ellie and her milk and juices. He packs me a lunch every morning, something that Ellie can pull out for the both of us to have. Family have stepped in and helped with Ellie's childcare, cleaning around my house and even taking my dog out. I've had a couple of friends bring over meals, and more offers for meals coming. I receive many emails from compassionate people with kind uplifting words, and the phone calls to check up on me keep coming.

Even though things are uncertain about this pregnancy, I am happy to know now that we can get pregnant again. We've waited three years to get this far, and despite the problems we are happy. I feel joy to be having this baby inside me. Ellie loves the idea of being a big sister. She kisses the baby goodnight before every bedtime and is talking about it around the clock!

We still really need your prayers and support. Thank you to all the prayers that have been made for us. We hope and anticipate the best!

My Birthday!

It's hard to believe that last week, September 10th, I turned 27 years old. To celebrate, we gathered some close friends and family together for a birthday lunch at my favorite restaurant LOS 3 AMIGO'S in Provo. It was amazing that at 1:30 p.m. on a Thursday, and all but two people I invited could make it. I feel blessed that I have so many supportive friends and family. Thank you to all who came and helped make my day extra special. I love you all.

Also, a quick update. I have new neighbors! Evan and Monyka (my brother and sister in law) moved in around the corner. It's been fun to have them near by, and to spend time with them more often. Ellie finally earned her new 16 inch Pricess bike this summer, and rides it nearly everyday. Ellie is also back in school, and her and I are enjoying a Mommy and Me Art Class in Provo at The Center. It's been a lot of fun to see her enjoy making ceramic Christmas ornaments (guess you know what you'll be getting this year!), ceramic beads, and use the pottery wheel. It's been fun bonding with her this way. Also! I have wheels again. It's hard to believe after TWO YEARS of staying home without transportation that I can finally hit the road whenever I please. I have my 1990 Bronco up and in running condition, and enjoy it so much. Shayne is still plugging away in school work, and anxious to be done. I am so proud of him and everything he does for our family.

Thanks again for the wonderful birthday and all the birthday wishes I received. I am looking forward to this fall, and the holidays that are coming ahead.

Memories of Grandma LaVerne Gordon

March 23, 1931 – January 17, 1997

My Grandma LaVerne Gordon was a “professional Grandma” because she fit the definition in almost every way. She loved her three kids and thirteen grandchildren immensely. Grandma seldom put herself first and has been one of the most selfless people I’ve ever known.

From a very early age, I remember Grandma sewing on her large industrial sewing machine (which I was never allowed to touch!) and making us dresses. Sarah and I always had some matching newly homemade dress to wear to wear to church. Love was sewn in the stitches. I was touched even after her passing to go through her sewing room to find two unfinished dresses with tiny papers pinned on that said “Laura” and “Sarah” on them.

Grandma was also a skilled artist. She could draw, cross stitch, paint, and make things from clay. I enjoyed her paintings and drawings most of all. One year, Grandma was teaching Sarah and I how to paint. We each picked a picture to paint on the canvas. Mine was a picture of a house on the prairie, and Sarah’s was a natural scene. Grandma took each step slowly to teach us. Our paintings were looking professional. One day our lesson was interrupted by a ring of the door bell. It was Grandma’s visiting teachers. Grandma told us specifically to keep doing what we were doing and she would hurry back downstairs to help us. Must have been all the “Bob Ross” we had seen with her growing up, but Sarah and I “knew what we were doing,” and finished our paintings. I had added many “wild flower creations” to my painting, and Sarah mixed up some dark turquoise color for her “sky.” Grandma was not too happy about us skipping ahead on our lessons but we all laughed about it later.

Grandma’s house was only 2 and a half blocks away from my home most my life so naturally their house was a second home to me growing up. We watched BED KNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS at least 100 times together. We slept over often too. I remember my sweet Grandma putting extra blankets over me at night when she thought I was sleeping at night.

During the school year, Sarah and I would count down for the summer because that was when we would go out with Grandma, Grandpa, and our cousin Kristl and camp in the RV. We usually went to various Camperworld’s and would stay for up to a week at a time. We loved it. Grandma and Grandpa walked us out to the pool at some point every day when we camped. We would play games together, Pictionary, Go Fish, and Pit.

One night during our camping trip, I remember going through a phase of anxiety when sleeping over places. I would lay awake at night, and watch the clock in the VCR of the RV and watch the minutes blink in green. After some time, I quietly walked through the trailer to where Grandma was sleeping. “Grandma? …. Grandma???” I was whispering, but she heard me. Her head popped up and I whispered, “I can’t sleep…” Grandma quietly got out of her comfortable bed, and took me back to the sofa couch I was supposed to be sleeping on. She told me to lie back down, close my eyes, and she would tickle my back until I fell asleep. Grandma slowly tickled me for a while, and then when she thought I was asleep, crept back up to her bed. Even though I wasn’t fully asleep when she left, I was calmed down enough that sleep finally came.

Every summer Grandma and Grandpa grew a large garden in their back yard. At least two rows of this garden were raspberries – my favorite. It wasn’t uncommon growing up that many of her grandchildren would go through the raspberries and pick them and eat them as we went. I remember eating bowls full with milk for a great dessert. Another big part of her having a garden was snapping beans. During the summer, Grandma and Grandpa would pick buckets full of beans and we would sit around the cool basement of their home in Lehi snapping them while watching a movie. It was so great.

I miss Grandma’s cooking also. Whenever I made my way towards her house, she was giving me something tasty. Sometimes it was a slice of delicious banana bread or peanut butter cookie, and other times she would insist I eat a banana or some other fruit. Grandma made homemade pizza that I will never forget. Extremely thin crust, and thick pepperoni. The year she got sick, for my birthday she made me a meal I requested… Tuna Noodle Casserole. She was so thrilled that I requested that meal, and took a lot of pride in making it for me.

One thing I loved about my Grandma is how she could stretch a dollar. Of course, sometimes this would be a cause of argument too. During a long trip to Salt Lake City once, I recall sharing one three piece meal from KFC with Sarah and Kristl. Grandma would take Kristl, Sarah, and I to the gas station with a 32oz fill up mug, and would fill it up with the drink of our choice, and later at home we split it three or four ways. Thrift shops were a popular stop for Grandma, and I got plenty of treasures growing up from them.

During my years as a ballet dancer, it impressed me that Grandma knew how to make a real tutu because she used to sew for Ballet West of Utah. I always hoped that she would make me one. She was proud of my dancing, and loved to hear me talk about it.

Things haven’t been quite the same without having her around. I have thought about her a lot this last few weeks since my Grandpa Gordon passed. I spent a lot of time with her in 1996 around the time of her passing. We moved from Ohio to Utah that summer and I realize now how lucky we were to spend that time with her before she passed away. I remember decorating her home for Christmas one year while we were watching CHORUS LINE. Just two days before her passing, Grandma squeezed my hand as if to tell me she loved me.

Grandma was a special lady, and she has been missed. She helps inspire me today and I know she would be so proud of me and all her Grandchildren, and especially her little great grandchildren. I’m sure she is close by and watching over us. We love you Grandma!

Now Is As Good a Time as Any

(Yes- those are positive! It's faint but it's there!)

(Written Sept 7, 2009 - POSTED OCT 2, 2009)

About a month ago (August 2008)- I could tell that my luck was changing. August 8th was my six year anniversary with my handsome husband. We had a fabulous day together. He surprised me with some diamond earrings I had been asking for almost four years or maybe even longer. Then, that night, at the show Cirque Du Solieli I won tickets to see the show again the next day! 418 people entered the drawing and MY NAME was chosen! "How strange" I thought - "I'm feeling more lucky lately."

Surely, my Grandpa Gordon passing away was not what I would consider lucky, but everything else was starting to go my way.

You should also know that when we got pregnant with Ellie, it happened during a very sad time in our lives. Shayne's Grandma Elthora Underwood passed away, and two weeks later, we found out we were pregnant. We always joked that Grandma Elthora sent Ellie down to us (and Ellie is a partial name sake of her and my father Dan - elle). I started to joke (and wonder )that Grandpa Gordon would send down a baby for us to.

I even had a dream around that time I was taking a pregnancy test and it was positive. I started getting my hopes up. A while later I found myself falling asleep during one of our favorite TV shows, and became more confident that MAYBE this month. MAYBE.

The morning I took the pregnancy tests was a morning I'll not soon forget. I had bought the tests the day before (I wasn't even LATE yet) and decided to take them the following day. That morning I kept saying to myself, "I don't know if I can handle another NEGATIVE test!" But, I sucked it up and took it anyway. I have to admit that for about 20 seconds, I watched it.... after a little while, I resolved that it was probably negative again or it was too early to tell because it already seemed clearly negative. I left the bathroom with the test still on the counter almost giving up on the hope I had for the month. A few minutes later, I went back.....

AND

I have some news..... WE ARE PREGNANT, Due May 15,2010 or around there. After 3 years of heartbreak, we find ourselves PREGNANT! Right now, I am about 5 weeks, and I haven't told anyone yet (except Shayne - not even Ellie knows!) and I don't plan to start talking for a while but we are very excited and are welcoming the changes we know are happening. Part of me is in a state of major disbelief. It's easy to not tell you all at the moment because I am still trying to convince myself that YES THIS IS HAPPENING. Three years in the making - we are finally expecting again.

I told Shayne that morning. If I would have been thinking I was pregnant, I might have told him a more memorable way than, "SHAYNE SOMETHING WEIRD IS HAPPENING! I JUST TOOK THAT PREGNANCY TEST, AND IT SAYS POSITIVE!!!!" He said, "Did you take the second test?" I took the second test, and it confirmed it again. We were extremely overjoyed.

That morning, I decided to take a long walk while Ellie was in preschool. I remember looking up towards the heaven and taken back with tears, thanking Heavenly Father for trusting me with another of His children and for this baby finding it's way to our family. I really find it ironic that someone died both times I got pregnant, but I feel special that during the hardest of times, that I am being watched over.

I'm sure now that the word is out - we will have many blogs about this upcoming BIG news, and I'm sorry in advance if it gets old but I wondered if we would ever have children again and I'm still unsure if we'll have anymore after this one, so we are going to enjoy every moment - even the morning sick ones.

We have truly been blessed and I am so thankful.

Memories of Grandpa Stan Gordon Oct 30, 1931 - Aug 13, 2009

As early as I can remember, Grandpa was always the “go to guy.” Grandpa could fix anything. I always thought this was a neat thing about him. He was the man that I would go to when I needed patches on my bike tires and even taught me how. I remember him helping with repairs on our house, cars, and he was also a huge help when my father was dying from brain cancer. He was a support to my mom, and role model for the kids. He was a gentle but firm man and we loved him so much for everything he did for us during that difficult time.

Some of my happiest childhood memories have my Grandpa in them. I loved camping as a kid with Grandpa and Grandma LaVerne Gordon. We would ride over to Mount Pleasant or Coalville and stay in their trailer with them a few times during the summer. It was the highlight of the season. We loved to swim, explore, and most of all – FISH. Grandpa was quite the fisherman. Even as early as four, Grandpa took me out on the boat with Sarah and I caught my first fish. He was very proud of us when we caught something. After a good catch, the next day I remember Grandpa frying the trout with a little lemon pepper for a wonderful meal.

I remember him liking the taste of burnt peanut butter cookies, and we would laugh when we burned some “just for Grandpa.” I was also proud as a kid telling all my friends he was once Lehi Fire Chief. I have to smile when I think of him driving his red Ford pickup truck. I found that truck to be very fitting of him to drive since he was once a fireman. It was like he was driving a real fire truck!

Grandpa was also the stand in father figure the two years between my Dad’s passing, and my Mom getting remarried. Grandpa was the person to baptize me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when I was eight years old because my Father was physically unable to at the time. He also took me to a Daddy Daughter Date when I was nine years old. I remember telling him that one of the activities was putting the dad’s (in my case, Grandpa) behind a sheet with only their foot sticking out and we would have to guess which foot belonged to who. I studied Grandpa’s feet before the contest to make sure I would know the foot, but Grandpa told me that he would cut a little chip out of his big toe and that’s how I would know for sure. I probably didn’t need the chip in the toenail to know his foot – but we got the right guess and I was very happy. I felt proud to have him as my date that day.

As I got older, and my Grandma LaVerne Gordon passed away, I started to see another side of my Grandpa. When he married Grandma Winona Gordon, she helped bring out a very spiritual side of him. I loved hearing his prayers especially. They were very heartfelt, and thoughtful. He specifically prayed for individuals who needed them, and took time to express his gratitude for the Lord and the things in his life he had been blessed with.

I also thought it was so great that he had the wonderful experience to serve four missions for the church. He and Grandma Noni were such great examples for the family as they faithfully served. I’ll never forget the day that he and my Grandma Noni were sealed in the temple with a room full of family. I had the experience to go with Grandma and Grandpa a few times to the temple and I always felt their spirit so strong when we were together. I looked forward to these moments with them, and wished that I could have gone more regularly with them.

Grandpa and I had some great visits when Grandma Noni was battling her own illness. During these difficult times, we had moments where we could be together in support of her. I remember him driving to the hospital daily to see her and be by her side. He picked me up a couple to times to tag along and visit. I enjoyed our lunches and the one on one moments we shared.

Even with all of his challenges during the end of his life on earth, I seldom heard Grandpa complain. I would ask, “How are you doing Grandpa?” To which he would always reply with a smile in his voice, “Pretty good for the shape I’m in.” I know he had his bad days, but he was very brave, and held a strong face even through the pain I know he was feeling. Grandpa and Grandma were very supportive of our family and I was always happy to see them when they would come to Halloween party or a little birthday party we were having.

I feel blessed to have been at the hospital before his passing. Grandma Noni was talking to him so lovingly, and trying to make him more comfortable. I remember rubbing his arms and neck while recalling memories with him. I saw some of his last smiles, and heard his last words. As I talked, I noticed his heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and most things on his monitors improved. During my talking, Grandpa fell into a deep sleep, almost like I was telling a bedtime story. I like to think he fell asleep during a happy memory and his last moments awake were pleasant ones. I remember telling him in his ear “Grandpa, I love you,” and with tears in my eyes leaving the ICU only to find out only minutes later he passed away.

Grandpa – we love you so much. Thank you for everything you did for our family. You have always been a role model and inspiration to me. You will be missed!

Six Year Anniversary

August 7th, 2003.

10:00 pm. After a night of decorating for our reception, and a brief stop to Maverick to get some soda and a sandwich, I headed home to my nearly empty apartment to get ready for the following day. My wedding day. I took a bath, made sure my honeymoon suitcase was packed, my dress was laid out, hair things were packed away, and I attempted to sleep. I knew I would be content with only a few hours of rest. I wasn't nervous about marrying Shayne. I had no doubt that I was marrying the right person. I was more anxious about how I wanted things to go for my very big and special day.

FLASH BACK - two weeks BEFORE wedding.

"Laura, I'm so sorry to have to do this to you, but with the new changes in plans I'm afraid I will have to refund your deposit, and walk away from this wedding. " Famous last words of my wedding planner from Unforgettable Weddings of Utah. What he really should have said is "Laura, your wedding is not making me enough money, and it's not worth it to me even though we have been planning your wedding since February."

I was devastated. Very tearful, anxious, and upset. The thought of making all the arrangements with only two weeks notice was too much to bear. I was working full time for Payless Shoe Source, and had very little time for the HUGE task ahead. My invitations were out. The temple reservation was made many months in advance I felt I had no choice but to be strong and try to make my wedding everything I imagined it would be.

Luckily for me, Diamond Rentals took care of most of my wishes. Tables, table cloths, chairs, and most anything I needed were there and available for that Friday. My mother in law, sister in law, and myself stayed up late one night making center pieces for the tables. A co-worker's sister could do flowers, and all the rest was just icing on the cake. It wasn't easy, but everything came together, and for much cheaper than Unforgettable Weddings could have done. It made me wonder why I thought we needed seven months to plan for it when it all came together in two weeks.

August 8, 2003.

5:00 am. I woke up and grabbed the diet coke I bought the night before to help me wake up. After a quick shower, and grabbing my things I needed- I whispered to myself "this is it. Getting married today."

7:00 am. I met at my parent's house in Spanish Fork to get my hair done by my close friend and co-worker at Payless. It took us three hours to get my hair as curly as we wanted it.

10:00 am. I was starting to wonder what Shayne was doing, and how he was feeling about this big day. My family was awake and bustling, and I could feel the excitement in the air as we all rushed to do our last minute things. As fixed some decorations, I knew we should be leaving now if we were to make it to the temple on time. I was told by temple workers to arrive two hours before our wedding time at 1:00 p.m.

11:00 - Just leaving the house. I was getting nervous to arrive to the temple so late, but didn't decline the offer the stop at McDonald's on the way over to get the Quarter Pounder which I felt was craving and it being my special day I felt like it was deserved and enjoyed every bite.

12:15 - Finally, we were where we were supposed to be. As I walked in the temple doors, I could see to my left a waiting room full of familiar faces - family anxious for us to be married. I also saw Shayne up ahead. Man, he looked good! I didn't picture it being this way.... somehow I thought it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, but this being a temple wedding things were different. I looked at him differently right then realizing - "wow - I'm spending Eternity with this man." It was a happy thought though.

1:00 - "We don't have time to lace up your dress," the temple worker said. I guess having 160 other brides that day, and my being VERY late, was starting to hurt me. "Mom - please, will you help me lace up my dress! I can't go out like this, even if no one will see it." My mom was the biggest help to me that day. She laced as fast as she could, and my dress was finally perfect.

1:30 - This part was a blur. Everyone was rushing me so fast. I only remember walking up some stairs and seeing Grandpa Underwood and Shayne at the top and Grandpa brushed us by quickly about what was going to happen. Just as we were walking in, we realized in the rush, we had forgotten the part where I give Shayne my name through the veil and made another short stop to the veil to do so.

1:45 - SHOW TIME. "Do you want to be married to Shayne? YES. Do you want to be married to Laura. YES. Well, your married!" Just kidding - but sorta how my wedding felt to have happened. It was rushed like the rest of my morning - however still very special and the most sacred part of the day.

After a very very FAST wedding, barely having enough time to cry, Shayne and I kissed and became man and wife - sealed for time and all eternity. We hugged our family that was present, and even so soon after being married went our separate ways to get dressed into our more formal accessories and attire.

2:30 - As I walked down the hall of the temple I remember scanning the rooms looking for my new husband. I guess I imagined it was going to different - that we would be together in the temple a while, and to be apart so soon was weird to me. It felt much like nothing had changed.

The moment I saw him however I knew I was quite wrong. Things had changed. He was sitting on a chair waiting for his bride, and when he saw me he looked up and smiled. I looked at him in his tux and tails (which he looked so handsome in!), and had to keep telling myself in my head, "wow - I'm really married. I'm a married woman. This is my husband. I'm married..."

LATER

Before the wedding, I was so concerned about the reception and if it would go smoothly. However, now that I was married, none of that seemed as important anymore. It was all being taken care of. I did get a little upset when I realized that half way through our pictures I had forgotten to hand out flowers, but it didn't let it spoil my day. Even the rain sprinkles and the sudden need to move some of our tables didn't phase me. I met dozens of people, many that I hadn't met before and some that I hadn't seen in years. I felt the happiness of the moment.

The night went on. Finally our last guest left, and the feeling of "I guess we should go" set in. It was all over, and yet so much was about to begin. I took my suitcase, and after a hug to my Mom and Dad, my husband and I got in our very decorated car and drove away.

Even now, six years later and after all the things that we have experienced both good and bad, I am so happy when I remember that day. Happy with my choice in a husband, and I feel extreme happiness when I think of our future together. We have one beautiful daughter, we hope to have at least two more children, and with Shayne going to school we know we have so much to be grateful for and excited about. I feel blessed when I think of him, and our life together, and although it hasn't always been easy I love him so much and STILL want to spend Eternity with him.

Yesterday, as we walked on our temple grounds holding hands and talking about the memories of that day, I felt that same calm feeling I remember having six years ago. I looked at him again, and had to pinch myself at how lucky I know I am that we have each other, and we are a happy family.

Shayne, you are the love of my life - I love you today, tomorrow, always. Thank you for marrying me. Happy Anniversary!

Hatch.... The Center of the Universe.

Every year, our family has made is a fun tradition to head down south to a small city who's motto to travelers passing through might as well be "blink, and you'll miss it." Hatch, Utah, near Bryce Canyon and Panguitch is where my father's side of the family are from and every year we head down around the 24th of July for a family reunion and to enjoy the pleasure of our families company.

PIONEER DAY

This year was a memorable year for the Munn family. For the first time, Ellie got to participate in the Hatch local parade. Ellie looked like Miss Hatch USA riding on a ATV with her Great Grandpa Burrows that I decorated in red, white, and blue. Ellie was smiling and waving at all the people as she rode past. After the parade (which lasted about 2 minutes!), we went with Grandma Tubbs and played games at the town square, and later enjoyed a delicious town meal and amazing fireworks. I even found sparklers at a little store to make the night even more magical.

LOTS OF FINE FISHIN'


One thing we particularly looked forward to in Hatch was to enjoy all the "easy fishing" in their streams. Grandpa Tubbs made it sound so easy when he said, "we caught our limit in only a couple hours." One person went out once in the morning and caught their limit, and when out again later and caught their limit again. I knew it had to be true when a group of young children carried home a string of fish they had just caught that morning.

We set out early that morning, and Grandpa Burrows helped us pick the right spinners for the job. We found a place at a river, and started to cast out. Two of three times Grandpa B cast out, he caught a fish. Well.... he must be doing something different because we must have cast out 200 times each and didn't catch anything. Evan and Monyka caught small anchovy type fish being only about four inches long, which was the highlight of our fishing... Ellie even got to hold the fish up, and hold it for a while before they threw it back into the water. So, despite what they say, the fishing down in Hatch isn't as easy as it sounded. I hope next year to figure out what we did wrong!

ATV RIDIN'

One of the main attractions in Hatch is all the ATV riding we do. We love to ride up into the beautiful Proctor Canyon every year and really enjoy learning about the land and history of Hatch as told by Grandpa B. He seems to show us new routes every year, but we always hit the usual sights and stops along the way as well.

One of our stops, is to a group of very large ant hills. Grandpa likes to poke the ant hills with sticks because "they looked bored, and that'll keep 'em busy." We also ride past some very neat perfectly round stones made from sand. We call them Indian marbles. This year we went a little further on our trail than I remember in years past when we went a place you can hike and see an arch in the beautiful orange and red rock. It was a really breathtaking sight looking down at the land below us. Before heading home, we cool down at a fresh water spring, and shoot Grandpa's 22.

A few of us found horneytoads along the way, and Ellie loved the chance to hold them and pet their spikey backs. Uncle Brett even found a little frog. Ellie was hilarious to ride with too. Shayne said that the whole time she would say "WOO HOO!!!" as they rode fast along the trail.

FAMILY

Even with all these fun activities, the main reason we come to Hatch is to spend time with all the family that still gather there. My Grandma Tubbs grew up in the small town and some of our family, the Evans, still live there. Many of my relatives played big roles in the town history, and donated items to the local DUP museaum. Walking through the Museam makes me feel like I'm learning pieces of my family history. I even found a chair this year with my maiden name on it - the chair that belonged to my Great Grandmother Laura Burrows.

We also have a small family reunion while we are down there every year. This year they asked each family present to mention something that happened over the past year, and it was neat to learn about their lives on a more personal level. We have to laugh because the reunion is during the rain every year, but even still we have a great time just being together.

SEE YA NEXT TIME

Leaving Hatch is always bitter-sweet. Usually we are ready to leave but sad to go and excited for next year at the same time. The drive home is one usually filled with talk about our trip, and the fun that we had. Until next time, we have some awesome memeories and beautiful fun pictures to look at and enjoy. We love Hatch.