Hatch Family Reunion

This year for our Hatch Family Reunion, we decided to meet in Durango Colorado for four days.  We left on Tuesday morning at 4 am in hopes that they kids would sleep most of the way down there.  However, they did not sleep at all.  Parker slept and did pretty good, but the boys were wide awake with excitement.

We stopped along the way in Moab at Wilson's Arch.  This gave us a chance to move our bodies and get out of the car for a few minutes.  We hiked up to the Arch and took some beautiful pictures.  The boys had a fun time exploring around the rocks. The both enjoyed climbing up the slick rock without their shoes on!

I absolutely love this picture of my cute husband and amazing kids.  They are the center of my world and I am so lucky to be part of their lives.  We love spending time as a family and we try to give our children lots of fun experiences and chances to learn. 

The drive took us about 8 hours.  We stayed at the Durango Mountain Resort in the Alpenglow Town homes.  These were located about 25 minutes north of downtown Durango.  The town homes were beautiful and were in a gorgeous location.  While we were there, we experienced part of the monsoon season in Durango.  Every afternoon, the storms would move in and it would rain and the temperatures would drop. 

Most of the town homes had a jacuzzi in the back portion.  Wesley, Clayton, and Cooper were quick to find their swimsuits and try out the warm water.  They had a fun time together. 

The first day we walked around the area and did some exploring. The scenery was breathtaking and the most beautiful place I have ever been. There were mountains, and lakes, and evergreen trees everywhere.  We were also up in a location that was known to have a visit or two from bears.  Some residents of the town homes saw a bear not far from here, but none of us were able to see it.  We also ran into quite a few families from College Station. 

Here is a shot of the mountains as we were driving up to find our condos.  So pretty. I had no idea Durango was going to be this gorgeous.  I could not get over the green lush forests, and variety of mountains.  I also didn't realize there would be so many lakes scattered among the trees.

Cooper had a great time spending time with his cousins.  He went on a small little hike with his Dad and even tried to run down to see the bear that everyone was talking about.  Jaden got slings for all the cousins, so they spent the first day out trying to shoot ground squirrels with them.

Most everyone traveled on Tuesday.  Mom and Dad had problems with their car in New Mexico. They ended up having to buy a new car, and they made it safely the next morning.  Sean and Kellye had problems in New Mexico when Kellye started having cramps in her legs. She was pregnant and having a very difficult time riding in cars or even walking.  They had to go back to Amarillo to take her to the hospital.  She ended up being ok, but they decided they better head home instead of coming to the reunion. Sherrie and Brian had the power go out in their hotel room, so they were running a little late as well.  We all ended up getting their safely though.

On Tuesday morning, we all decided to take a river rafting trip down the Animas River.  My freind, Torri, hooked us up with great prices and we took turns floating the river.  It was a fun trip for the kids. It was very mellow and slow going, but it was still fun to spend time with each other and it gave the little ones an opportunity to go as well.

We had a fun time splashing each other and learning more about the river and the Durango area.  The water was cold, but Cooper and Clayton enjoyed swimming in it for a few minutes.  The scenery was pretty and we had good guides. 

For the most part, the river was steady and calm.  There were a few spots that gave the kids a little excitement.  At the end of the ride, there is a pretty big rapid. With us paddling along with the guide, it made for a fun splash.  Before we came to the river, Jocelynn spent a lot of time doing her hair and make-up. 

We went into this rapid with a lot of speed and the water came up over the boat and completely drenched all of us.  It was so cold, but it was so funny to see Jocelynn's face and her matted hair.  I think it took us all by surprise.  Clayton wished that they whole river would have been like that spot.

We had access to the pool up at the Durango Mountain Resort, so we all headed up there one night after dinner.  It was a cold evening but everyone had a great time swimming in the pool and relaxing in the hot tub. The little boys had a fun time trying to wrestle with Matt and Tyler.  There was also a pretty cool slide there that the small ones enjoyed going down. 

On Thursday, we all drove to Silverton to spend time in the small town and to go on the "Old Hundred Mining Tour".  Mom and Dad payed for this activity.  When we first got there, they let the kids go out and mine for small pieces of silver and gold.  This was a big hit with Cooper and Clayton. 

After the mining, we all put on jackets and hard hats so we could enter into the old mine. None of us were dressed in appropriate attire.  As we took the small train into the mountain, cold water dripped on us and the temperature got colder and we went further and further inside.  It was a muddy mess and there were puddles of water everywhere. 

It was interesting at times, but our group was so large, that it was hard to pay attention and hear the guide instructor.  Also, the little kids were so cold, that they had a hard time concentrating and they weren't very interested.  It was neat to see how they used to mine many years ago.

Jocelynn and Kyle stayed back to watch Parker which I was so grateful for, because she would have froze in there. Shayne and Jen were running late, so they missed the ride. They ended up going into town to look around and shop a little.

Cooper really enjoyed the mine tour.  The instructor let him help on a demonstration and he was right at the front listening intently on everything that was said. After we got out and defrosted a bit, the wind and rain moved in and it got cold.  We hurried an made sandwiches and ate lunch outside. Clayton went back and mined a little more before we headed into town to shop in the small little stores!

These pictures were taken on our way up to Silverton. The road climbed up high in altitude with lots of windy roads, but it was so breathtaking.  We saw multiple waterfalls cascading down the mountains and the scenery was unheard of!

On Friday morning, we all went up the the Durango Mountain Resort to participate in the many activities that they offer.  Clayton enjoyed doing the "water runners" and Cooper liked the sky jumper and the zip lining.  Clayton also loved riding on the chair lift up the mountain and then doing the Alpine slide down the mountain. The view was gorgeous up there and you could see for miles in every direction. 

The cousins had a blast spending the few days together.  It was so much fun to watch them play with each other and go in and out of condos laughing and building those bonds with one another.  It's so hard with half the family living in Texas, because we rarely get to spend time with them.

We took a little hike up the hill with Tyler and Myriah to see what activities were going on at the Resort.  The weather was so nice why we were there.  The mornings were warm and the afternoons were cool. 

On Friday night, Paul and Steph treated everyone to a Chuck Wagon Dinner and Concert.  The food was so tasty and the cowboy band did a great job.  Parker didn't enjoy sitting through it, but most of the kids had a good time. 

We shared a condo with Mom and Dad, Sherrie and Brian, and Tyler and Myriah.  Steph and her family all stayed in one large condo and then Shayne and Jen stayed with Jocelynn and Kyle.  We felt like we didn't see Shayne and Jen much.  They seemed to stay to themselves and they didn't leave their condo very often.

We all enjoyed catching up on life with our siblings and with our nieces and nephews.  Here is Perri with Bryce.  She is such a good little baby.  It was just nice to spend time with everyone, but it definitely went by way too quickly.  WE will have to make sure the next reunion is a week long.  Three days does not cut it.

Grandma Hatch had amazing crafts for all the grand kids.  This is one of their favorite things about grandma. She always has something fun and creative to do with the kids. As we sat around on Friday night, Dad talked to all of us about making sure that we don't become prideful.  He talked about the Cycle of Pride in the Book of Mormon and how we have all been really blessed, so we need to continue to make good choices and be thankful for all we have. 

We decided to have a little contest to see who could take the most creative, most crazy, or dumb family picture. Our friend, Scott Sumner, helped us come up with this picture.  Some of the other pictures were so funny.  The Merrills did a polygamist picture.  The Smith's did a Redneck picture.  The Ellis' did a picture in the hot tub with poop balls.  Shayne and Jen did a bum darts picture.  Mom, Dad, Tyler, and Myriah staged a picture of Dad rescuing Mom from the Coal Mine in Price Canyon!

Shingles

In Mid June, I was out at Jacqui's one day and my right side under my bra was starting to bother me.  I came home and checked it out but there was no sign of a rash. But, it was kind of painful to the touch.  The next morning I woke up and there was a small rash.  I applied Hydro cortisone cream, but it didn't go away.  After two days, I showed it to my friend Julie.  After a small discussion, I decided to go into the doctor and see if it was Shingles.  Turns out, it was. I can't believe I came down with Shingles at age 35.  Shingles is for older people! Anyway, the doctor gave me two meds for the inflammation and the rash.  I lived on Advil and Tylenol for the next two weeks straight.  The rash didn't itch, it just hurt the nerves.  I would get these attacks of pain where the rash was located.  After a month, the rash went away and the pain ended.  I am now taking a herbal vitamin that is supposed to help cleanse the body of any viruses like Shingles.  Some events that might have attributed to me getting Shingles are 1. Having a Baby 2. Not taking Vitamins 3. Starting a New Business 4. The Loss of Grandpa Cooper. Next time an emotional event happens in my life, I will make sure I am slamming down the vitamins!

Douglas Family Reunion

This year we had our annual Douglas Family Reunion in Logan, Utah.  Roger worked for Logan City and used to do land maintenance on this piece of property.  Some man used to own this land and he decided to donate it to Logan City.  It was a beautiful spot for camping and for a large family reunion. This year they didn't charge much, because it was their first year to let someone try out the camping grounds. 

The river ran right through the campground which made it perfect for camping and water activities.  The only downside to the camping, was the infestation of mosquitoes.  We got eaten alive, even with repellant sprayed on us. I didn't dare take Parker out much because of this. She hung out in the trailer with me or Dad.  She also spent lots of time with her cute cousins Jade and Jordan.

The river was ice cold but all the kids decided to take a plunge in it one afternoon. Cooper is doing a cannon ball.  I even considered doing it because it looked so refreshing. Clayton really wanted to jump in but he was a little scared. I would dip his legs down in the water.

Easton and Clayton are using their nets to try and catch some fish.  We saw a huge fish and Bryce caught one as well, but other than that, they weren't really biting! I love the sound of a flowing river.  It is so peaceful.  One morning, I got up before the rest of my family, so I grabbed a chair and went fishing on the riverside.  It was so nice and relaxing.

Papa Douglas was up at the campground bright and early taking pictures of his grand kids. He even stole Parker from me for a few minutes. He is such a good Papa and he loves his little ones so much. 

Eli, Clayton, and Tagen had a fun time exploring the campground and nearby river. They had me nervous most of the day because they kept hanging out by the river, throwing rocks, and watching grass float down it.  I'm glad that they have cousins that are their ages.

While they explored the area, some of the adults and older kids played a fun game of kickball.  I love playing kickball because kids of all ages can usually play the game, which helps kids feel good about themselves.  There was a huge grassy field that was perfect for the playing area.  It was fun times until things got a little out of hand and some of the adults and kids starting blocking running paths.  Then it turned into a fight and it was over!

Bryce and his goofy brothers munching on yummy watermelon. Brandon and Jill's family, along with us, stayed over the first night and Sara and Derek joined us the second night.  Carrie and kids, as well as Bruce and Tara, joined us on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.  We went over to the Logan pool on Saturday afternoon to let the kids swim and enjoy the water.  It was also nice to get away from the mosquitoes!

Funeral

Here are some shots from Grandpa Coopers funeral.  It was such a sad day, but also a great day to honor and remember how amazing our Grandpa's life was here on Earth.  Clinton, Cort, Jamie, Steph, and April spoke at his funeral.  Cort and Clinton shared the "Farmer" story which perfectly applied to Grandpa.  All the talks were wonderful. All the grand kids sang "A Child's Prayer" and I cried through the whole thing. I couldn't even sing any of it. Ty got up and shared a poem about grandpa and we all cried even more.

Shayne dedicated the grave and it was one of the most beautiful prayers I've ever heard. Grandpa served in the Navy on USS Washington, so they did a military tribute to him at the graveside.  It was neat to watch the way they presented the flag to Grandma. 

A few days before his viewing and funeral, I was looking for something special that represented my Grandpa.  I really wanted his old straw hat, but Grandma said he had just thrown it away. I found his old, dirty farming boots and a bottle of Dr. Pepper in the cupboard downstairs. 

Roger worked for the mortuary and he specifically asked if he could work for Grandpa's funeral. This meant a lot to me for him to care that much about me and my Grandpa.  He thought it would be special for us to have this old Hurst instead of the newer one.

Grandma, Mom, April and some of the great grand children waiting for the graveside procession to start.  Here us kids are standing in front of Grandpa's casket.  Oh, how we miss this wonderful man that was such a great example to each of us! Part of who we are today, is because of this wonderful angel that is now helping us from the other side.

It was so nice to have all my siblings and parents at the funeral.  It was an emotional time but it will be a time that will never be forgotten as we celebrated the life of our Grandpa. We cried together. We laughed together. We mourned together.  We smiled together and enjoyed our short time together.

It was also a time that strengthened our relationships with our cousins. We all have a special bond with each other.  We all carry that loving and kind attitude that Grandpa and Grandma always showed us.
 After the graveside services, we went back to the church to have lunch and watch a video that Jamie made about Grandpa.  It was a really special video, but very touching and emotional to watch.  I had to step out of the gym multiple times to recompose myself.  All in all, it was a wonderful day to celebrate with loved ones!

The Passing Of Grandpa Cooper

On May 17th, we lost one of the most kind, caring, loving, and Christ-like men ever to walk the Earth.  Grandpa found out a month previous that he had 7 aneurisms in his body.  One behind each knee, one by his groin, and multiple ones in his stomach.  Grandma had taken him into the doctor because he had a cold. They ended up doing a CAT scan and found out he had the aneurisms.  The doctor didn't feel like Grandpa would have made it through surgery, so he pretty much had to wait till one of them burst.  Grandpa was told that the aneursims would burst while he was asleep and that he would bleed out in 10 minutes. Grandpa spent his last month of life worried about the aneurisms.  He had a lot of anxiety over it and it made him physically sick and he couldn't sleep at night. 

It just so happened that Bryce decided to hunt for turkeys in April and May, so we went up to visit them often while he hunted at the ranch.  It gave me a great opportunity to see Grandma and Grandpa more over that time period.  In fact, I went up on Wednesday before grandpa passed away and helped them plant their garden.  Grandpa leaned on the fence and told me where he wanted his tomato plants.  He kept telling me what a good job I was doing.  Before I left that night, he grabbed my hand, kissed my cheek, told me that I had a good family and then he thanked me for coming up and spending the evening with them!

On Saturday, May 17, I received a call from Steph telling me that while Grandpa was at his great-granddaughters softball game, something burst in his leg and was causing him excruciating pain.  He was white and started throwing up, so they took him to the hospital.  The first doctor didn't think it was the aneurisms, but after a CAT scan and another look from Grandpa's doctor, they realized that all the aneurisms had burst.  They gave Grandpa the option of flying to SLC for emergency surgery, but he turned that down because he knew he wouldn't make it.

I received a phone call from Steph telling me to head straight to the hospital at 2:58 p.m. Grandpa did not have much time.  It so happened that Jacqui had just come to my house and so she was able to take the kids while I immediately drove to Logan.  Bryce was dirty and gross and in the middle of fixing someones car, so he could not come with me or help with the kids.  I drove faster than I ever had before and I made it to the hospital at 4:00.  I ran across the parking lot and into the emergency room.  Before my eyes, laid my grandpa who I could barely recognize.  He had aged 20 years in just two hours.  I fell to the floor and just sobbed in my hands.  After I composed myself, I was able stand by his side, rub his shoulder, and tell him how much I loved him and how thankful I was for him. I also asked him to keep an eye on all of his family.  He was unresponsive but I know he heard me.

Grandpa was surrounded by almost 30 members of his posterity as he fought those last few minutes.  It was hard, yet priceless to stand in that room and mourn the loss of such a great man. The love and the Spirit was so strong.  Grandma kept grabbing his head and telling him she loved him. The doctor told us that his heart rate would just continue to drop.  He kept checking on Grandma.  He couldn't believe the love and support that was there in the room for Grandpa.  He said it doesn't happen very often. Paul was able to face time my parents, so Mom was able to talk to grandpa when he was still coherent.  She remained on face time for the last hour of his life.  Mom and Dad were there with us the whole time.

Jocelynn, Ingrid and I were at the foot of his bed, when Grandma got up to go to the bathroom. As soon as she let go of his hand, he passed away.  We were told that that is very common. After Grandpa passed on to the other side, we all came in the room and Grandma received a priesthood blessing.  I was so glad she was surrounded by her kids, grand kids, and great grand kids during this difficult time.  They moved Grandpa to the back of the emergency department and we all followed him back there.  As soon as Grandma sat down, she said, "Let's go to my house.  There is no reason to stay here anymore." It was a neat experience to be there with family as our Grandpa passed on to a better place. 

We all went up to Grandma's and spent the rest of the evening there.  It was weird to not have our Grandpa there sitting in his chair, breathing in his oxygen, and helping the grand kids twist their taffy or offering them a mixed Dr. Pepper.  He will dearly be missed...his loving smile and kind words, his pat on my hand as he called me a peach, his unwavering testimony of Christ, and his perfect example!

 I was so blessed to have him as my grandpa and he has definitely influenced me and how I live my life. His legacy will live on through his grand children, great grand children, and great great grand children. I hope that as his posterity continues to grow, that each generation will follow the example of this great man! 

Boondocks With Jenn

To celebrate Cooper's 9th Birthday, we went down to Salt Lake to spend the day with his birth mom, Jenn and her husband, Brent.  First, we met at their home, where we enjoyed visiting and then ate some Pizza Hut and opened presents.  Jenn got Cooper some Minecraft toys and Clayton received a stuffed Ninja Turtle. 

Afterwards, we walked over to the Live Aquarium, but the line to get in was very long and we heard that some of the exhibits were closed, so we decided to head to Boondocks instead.

The boys enjoyed a fun game of miniature golf.  Then we drove the go-carts. It was Clayton and myself vs. Jenn and Cooper.  Jenn ended up passing me on the second to last lap.  The boys thought that was so much fun to race against each other.

Then they had a great time on the bumper boats.  Cooper kept squirting Dad and Clayton.  It was fun to watch them smile and laugh as the bumped into each other and soaked each other with the water guns.

Teresa and I sat with each other most of the day visiting while we tried to entertain Parker.  After Boondocks we went over to Sonny Bryan's for some Texas BBQ.  It was nice to see Jenn and let Cooper enjoy spending time with his birth mom.  He had been really looking forward to seeing her again!