Summer highlights

Well, school is starting in about a week and I have been scrapbooking our summer highlights. I thought I'd share some of them with you. All in all, it's been a great summer...maybe a little better than past summers. The kids have been good, we've kept pretty busy and I'm not quite tearing my hair out. Yes, I'll be glad when they're back in school, but I have fond memories of having them home for these last three months.

(These are in no particular order)

#1 Highlight: Our trip to the Oquirrh Mountain temple in Utah. The girls were thrilled that they could go into an actual temple for a tour. We went with my parents and my amazing brother, Todd. (Who Lydia is very attached to as you can see.)

#2 Highlight: The fourth of July Celebration in Heber, UT. This was one of the busiest days! We went to a parade in Provo, waterslides in Grandpa's backyard in the afternoon, followed by a BBQ, fishing, a firepit and finally, fireworks. Wow!

Highlight #3: Swim lessons! We did two sessions of swimming lessons this summer. Charlotte officially graduated...the other kids learned a lot and are getting better.

Highlight #4: Fishing with my Uncle Gary. I love this guy! He's always been my favorite uncle and while in Utah, he took my girls fishing. They loved him as much as I do!

Highlight #5: Our trip to Fall Creek Reservoir with the Youth. My kids still talk about this night as one of the best of the summer. I have committed to taking them back there before summer ends but I'm not sure we are going to make it. Next summer perhaps.

Highlight #6: Our Millar Family reunion in Seaside, Oregon. On this day, we went to Fort Stevens near Astoria. It was so fun and I'd recommend it...best of all, it's free!

Highlight #7: Grandma calls each reunion "cousins camp" and she makes shirts for all the cousins. Jillian has worn her shirt at least twice a week since the reunion. She loves it!

Highlight #8: Of course, Westoverpalooza! But, I've gone on enough about this reunion, as you all know. Did I mention it was great?

Anyway, in a nutshell, that was our summer. It was truly fun and exciting and I honestly think I'll miss it. Hope you've all had a great one too!

Here's our weekly comings and goings....enjoy! (and one final Westoverpalooza page...sorry!)

The "final meal"....Hometown Buffet and then some sad farewells.

The final (I think) Westoverpalooza post

Are y'all sick of hearing about Westoverpalooza? I'm getting kind of sick of scrapbooking it but I'm really proud of myself for almost finishing this book with in a week and a half of the reunion. This way, everything is fresh in my mind. These are the last two pages I can finish (some of our professional pictures aren't back yet). Hope you enjoy!

Westovers really know how to dress up! Some of these disco costumes were a riot!

One more spiritual event to cap off the reunion...we took everyone that was worthy and old enough (which was everyone over 12) to the temple to do Baptisms. It was another one of those "heavenly" moments where I caught a glimpse of what the eternities would be like...surrounded by my eternal family, doing the work of the Lord. The fact that every one of the Westover clan over 12 was WORTHY to enter the temple was really special. Not many families can say that...truly a tribute to this great family!

Visit with Grandma

I loved this part of the reunion the very best. I was doing okay keeping my emotions in check until right after the slide show (which Casey did a GREAT job on) when we started to sing Aunt Charlotte's song called "Family Tree." (see words below). I looked over at Sister in Law Laura and she was hiding behind her oldest son, weaping. I lost it and couldn't regain my composure until the song was finished. Apparently, Laura had seen another one of the residents, out in the hall in a wheelchair, also crying. That set her off, and she set me off. The spirit was just so strong. Later, she and I agreed that angels were with us that day. We love Grandma Bea and hope that she felt our love!

Honeyman Park on the Coast

We had such a blast at Honeyman State Park in Florence Oregon on Wednesday of our reunion. We played sports, field games, and ate sandwiches. Because it's the coast, it was mostly rainy/misty which was a nice relief from the 95 degree day we had the day before. As you can see from the pages below, we had a great time!

Here is the first two page layout for our family reunion. The cousins hadn't seen each other in two years and despite the absence, they were best buddies right away. The Westover cousins are really neat because the 17 year olds had no problem playing with and loving the 2 year olds. I think everyone felt very loved! This must be what heaven will be like...all your family around, all the time... only, no one has to leave at the end of the week! I can't wait!