Michigan Trip.........

So I'm still trying to catch up on my blogging from this summer, so just try to stay with me on this.

The Foster Family Reunion was this summer and the boys and I flew back for the events (Brett stayed behind to apply for new jobs as he was getting laid off- he found one, yeah). The reunion was held in Milwaukee this year, so we flew in a day before all the event were to happen. It was the first flight that the boys remember so it was a lot of fun for them. Ben did alright once the Benedryl kicked in.

The Reunion was a blast. They are every 3 years, and with school and babies and such we haven't made it back for about 9 years and it was fun to see all those realatives I never see. It was especially nice to visit with my Grandma, aunts, uncles and 1st cousins. The Gene Foster clan didn't have its normally large showing, but it was fun none the less. I was so happy my brother and his family were there, as we don't see them much since their move to Virginia. We attended the dinner, dance, and picnic the next day, themn drove up to Ishpeming, MI. ( about 6 hours north).

The first 3 or 4 days were so cold, and I was wishing I had packed winter clothes, but it soon warmed up. We enjoyed swimming almost everyday. Most of the time we spent visiting with family. I took the boys on a great "tour of my life" including driving by my old houses, schools, playgrounds and church (I know it was the highlight of their trip just ask them...lol). We got to see my aunt Bedi's new log home that is nearly done. I felt spoiled by my aunt Cindy as we stayed at her house and she cooked and catered to us. I can't thank her enough.

It was a wonderful trip, we almost were stuck in Atlanta for a few days on the return trip. Ask me about that someday! I mean how does it make sense to go from Michigan to Atlanta to Utah! I missed Brett more than ever and I learned to admire single parents. I'm glad I was able to show the boys my stomping grounds, and learned to love our relatives more.
This is aunt Cindy and Ben as we waited for the 4th of July fireworks to start in Michigamme.

This is the boys by lake Superior after the weather cleared up.

This is a picture of Mat after swimming in Lake Superior when it was 52 degrees outside. He was so pink when he got out, I put my had on his chest and it left my handprint. And for those of you that have never felt lake Superior, it is too cold to swim in when it's 90 degrees outside!

Just a cute picture of Ben on one of those cold days.

My boys and my Brother Gain's Boys all went in the lake on that cold day. What kind of parents let their kids do that.

This is on a cold day that we went for a ride to see the lake. It was freezing.

These are the only two members of my grandpa Gene's family. He was one of 17 kids in that family. This is Aunt Janie and Aunt Joyce.

This was all that was there from Gene's group. This is only 25 of 65.

Ben in front of a lion at the Milwaukee Zoo.

High School Flashback!

Last night I drove past West Jordan High School. The football lights were on and I had a fun flashback to 1989.............. It was the year my school, Kearns High won the state football championship, and my group of friends and I didn't miss a game. The particular game at West Jordan was fun.

Most of our group didn't have cars yet, so we tried to catch a ride with whoever could get us there. We didn't want to get dropped off by parents, because that would be embarrassing. So we chose that night to get a ride in the White's very large and very old baby blue station wagon. Somehow in our minds that was not as embarrassing, go figure.

The game was fun, we won of course, but after the game was the part I remember the most. We were all very excited, cheering and laughing. We all piled into the car, and because of the size of the car, "all" included soooo many of us. Scott White and about 6 of his friends were all squished into the "way back" because they were the youngest of the group, never mind the fact it was his car too. Most of my friends, over 5 or so were in the back seat, some on laps, with the ones on bottom complaining of bony butts digging into their legs. I got the privilege of riding up front because I was dating the driver (I always went for the guys with the "cool cars" ....lol). That night Steph was sitting next to me in the front, the car was fancy enough to include bench seats. We were singing very loudly "sowing the seeds of love" into our fists, when Greg started revving the engine very loudly over and over again, and jerking the car forward over and over again. I think he knew we were all embarrassed to be seen in the car and was going to make sure everyone in the parking lot noticed us. Steph and I ducked down in the front, but those in the back had no where to move, Greg just waved to everyone still revving and jerking forward.

I can't believe that was 20 years ago. I am still close with most of those friends, I still turn up the song "sowing the seeds of love" really loud and sing into my fist, and I drive a minivan that will most likely haul many crazy teenagers to a game at West Jordan, who themselves will be embarrassed to be seen in that vehicle.