Seriously, Nevada again?

Undaunted by the fact that we had just driven 800 miles 6 weeks earlier to welcome Alan home from his mission. We loaded up our little, road-tested mini-van and drove through the oasis of Northern Nevada, again. This time our destination was the Gem State of Idaho for my brother-in-law's wedding. (The same fellow we welcomed home Easter weekend.) On the way we stopped off in Pocatello to visit my brother and his family (The Davises). It was so great to see them, even if it was just for the night. I wish I took more pictures...but then what would I have snapped: "This is me, talking to Caleb." "This is me, talking to Shellie." "This is me, talking to Caleb AND Shellie." ... You can see how they might have been some lame pictures. I should have taken pictures of Philip, Jack and Wyatt playing with an enormous matchbox car track. Uncle Caleb set the track up so it ran down the stairs and the boys spent a considerable amount of time crashing cars off the track. They built bridges out of books and stacked cars at the end of the track so the racing car had something noisy to slam into. That night in his prayers Wyatt said: "Please bless us to be safe and not crash on our drive...but bless the other cars to crash when we set them up on the track." I am happy to report: his prayers were answered. We did not crash but the matchbox cars did! I should have taken pictures of Lorien hanging out with Kayla (the really tall beautiful one) and her friends out in the front yard. Lorien sitting with her arms folded soaking in all the pre-teen chatter. I should have captured the feet into the air both Clare and Lorien would jump every time the Davises dog, Tate, came around the corner. I should have taken a picture of Lorien holding Aunt Shellie's hand for safety every time Lorien had to cross paths with the dog. I should have taken a picture of the delicious waffles and bacon Uncle Caleb and Aunt Shellie made for breakfast. Waffles spilling over with fresh strawberry syrup and mountains of whipped cream. I should have taken a picture of all of the kids running around playing hide and seek. Including Clare who would stand in the middle of the living room with the counter calling out "Give me a hint!" to all the hiders. I guess there would have been plenty of entertaining picts. had I bothered to pull my camera out. But then I would have spent all my time taking pictures instead of discussing the merits of sky-high student load bills with my brother and sister-in-law...a subject I am eerily familiar with. I did manage to snap a picture of all of the cousins, grouped by boys and girls. So here they are at least.

Kalya, Lorien and Clare. Trying their best to be a "more bars in more places" advertisement. Jack, Wyatt and Philip. Good thing I packed Wyatt's bright green shirt so he could match his cousins.

The sealing of Alan and Heather was next. Will, Dave and Ben whisked Alan away for a wild night in Idaho Falls on Friday. They ate dinner at Outback and then (brace yourself for some serious Mormon debauchery) they ran around Walmart, making Alan do embarrassing stuff. They topped the evening off by forcing the groom-to-be to eat a habanero pepper just before kicking him out of the car. Alan is very lucky to have such great brothers.

The stunning couple as the came out of the temple.

The ceremony was so lovely and we all enjoyed watching the smiles on the faces of the bride and groom. They were sealed in the Rexburg temple. There were plenty of moments I neglected to capture with my camera here too: The various groups standing outside the temple. All the cousins running in the sun and shade on temple grounds. The sweet luncheon put together by the family for after the sealing. The remainder of the evening spent at the hotel. Splashing, swimming and relaxing in the pool and hot tub. sigh... why do I even own a camera?

Sunday morning we packed up the car and hit the road again! Thankfully our prayers were answered again and we made it home safely. The front, underside of our bumper did mysteriously come unhitched from the van but it caused no serious harm.

The trip was short and crazy. We are so happy we went and got to see family and the sealing. Congratulations Alan and Heather. We love you!

Truth be told, I did get a few nice pictures to document random moments from the weekend...here they are!

Jumping on the Davis trampoline...because they don't get to do that anywhere else...

Clare coming out from the one hiding place she found during hide and seek.

My niece and nephews, who I made say "Aunt Cassie is the best Aunt Ever!" (twice) before I let be done with pictures.

Grandma Judy and Daddy trying to put Clare's shoes on...she just ended up going bare-foot.

Alan and Heather.

Another attempts at a family photo...

Lorien congratulating Uncle Alan.

A stop at the Snake River.

Daddy throwing rocks down into the canyon.

The "L" Mountain in Lovelock, NV. There is also a "W" Mountain in Winnemucka but that was another thing I didn't get a picture of. Lorien and Wyatt call them "The Lorien Mountain" and "The Wyatt Mountain".