Utah Visit {June Back post}

After our initial visit to Indiana, we were off to Idaho for the Huber Family Reunion. Our first stop was in American Fork as Derek was going to be running in the American Fork Canyon Run Against Cancer in honor of his Mom.

I couldn't get any actual pictures of the race because he was up and off at 3 am and it was so crowded at the finish line, but he finished!

Allie then ran the Kid's mile in place of her cousin Jodie!

 

 

The day before the race we went to pick up packets and stuff and they were giving away some swag as well as these slushies. We were all loving it in that heat!

 

Then we were off to the Reunion at Bear Lake. Such a beautiful setting!

The Hubers love soccer so you bet that there were lot of soccer games.

 

Avery showing us how many goals she had.

 

Of course we spent a couple of days at the lake. One day was a full day there and that day was absolutely gorgeous! We played in the water, took turns on the boat, waver runner and paddle board.

 

 

The next day was kind of overcast. We didn't spend as much time in the water, but still a fun filled day with family.

Family Picture Night

50's Night. A super fun night full of contests (bubble gum blowing, limbo), dancing, photo booth fun....

 

After the reunion we went to Thanksgiving Point with a couple other families and had lunch, went to a fun museum and had ice cream before saying our see ya laters. At the museum the girls decided to do a high adventure course. Avery ended up chickening out and Allie had someone with her the whole time.

Visit Home ~ Indiana {June Backpost}

As soon as school let out for the summer we were off to the States to visit our families. It had been a year since I had seen my parents and 2 years since we had seen anyone else. Long overdue!

We arrived very late at night and the next day my family had a big welcome home party planned for us. I feel really bad because we were SO tired. It was great to see so much family though and how much effort and thought and money they had put into the get together was just so amazing to me. I loved seeing everyone but I couldn't help but feel a little out of place. There were even comments about how it was the quietest get together they had ever had. They have all been through so much and experienced so much together those past 2 years and I/we haven't been there -- in those times of joy, times of thankfulness, times of sorrow. So it was hard for me. I couldn't quite find my place. I know I pulled back. I do run on emotions and it's so hard for me to let my wall down -- in person. Always feeling so much, but saying so little. But, I love my family very much and even if I feel a little out of place I still love and relish every moment with them.

They had a waterslide and amazing food, a hayride, and karaoke.

 

Allie celebrated her TENTH birthday while we were there. We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Pepe's. She gets sung to and gets to wear a sombrero and free fried ice cream! The ice cream is the only reason she ever picks that place -- the only "Mexican" food she likes is salsa! We didn't have a party for her until later so she was able to have some more ice cream before bed that night.

A couple days later everyone got together to celebrate.

We ate at Pizza King twice....the kids love that the train delivers their drinks!

Aunt Amy cut their hair

She wasn't so sure she wanted her hair cut...

 

But she loved it!

 

We went to the Indianapolis Children's Museum and Dave & Busters

 

 

 

Baked muffins with Papa

We had to pause our Indiana visit while we went out to Utah for the Huber family reunion, but came back for the 4th of July weekend.

While back we celebrated Blake and Avery's birthday early at the 4th festivities, played games and had the annual cornhole tournament (which Derek and I have never been able to participate in). Derek and I were randomly drawn to be partners.....and well, we won! :)

My brother did such a great job of trying to break the awkwardness of not seeing each other in such a long time. And to think, he's the one that has gone through so much! He is so amazing!

 

 

We then celebrated Blake and Avery's birthday at Pepe's -- Avery loves Mexican food, just like her Mom and Dad.......but they really wanted fried ice cream too.

We helped load all of my parents furniture into a storage unit. Sad to think when we go back they will be in a new house!

We had Indiana sweet corn too! Yummo!!

We went to GG's pool and cousins met us there!

Allie cracked open her oyster from Derek for her birthday (he was in Destin while we were in Indiana for the first half of our visit)

We went and saw the fireworks show in downtown Lafayette.

 

A see ya later lunch with GG.

 

And some more pictures from the trip

 

 

Miss them all like crazy.

Just Kidding {June Backpost}

 

 

On Friday, June 10th I was at the girls' school for a class picnic. While there I received a phone call with the craziest news........Derek had been offered to extend for another year here! What's even crazier though, we only had a matter of hours to make our decision. The movers were coming Monday and if we were going to stay we had to cancel by the end of the business day. It was so stressful. We had wanted to stay. We love England.....but for other reasons, which I won't share, we did not want to stay at all and were happy to get out of here. We (or I) also LOVED our follow-on assignment. What made the decision easy for me was the fact that even if we moved there was a good possibility that Derek wouldn't be able to join us for several months. His replacement's orders were canceled so they had no one to fill his spot here. They would need him until they found someone. The idea of me finding a house on my own, unpacking a house on my own, getting all utilities set up, getting the kids registered and ready for school.....all of that was a little too much for me to take on alone. That is how I made my decision. We have our moments where we start to regret our decision, but deep down we feel like there was a bigger reason for us to stay here one more year and we are definitely going to make the most of it!