July 23-26, 2023: Bonding with my TX grandkids

We left Jared and Jenny's cabin late Sunday morning after helping clean up the camp. And we brought three of Sam's children home with us! Joseph, Elijah, and Eden were wonderful road trip companions, and no one got car sick--thank goodness. We had fun talking with them, singing with them, eating together, and doing some snack shopping (and a pretty "daddy dragon" for Eden) during our gas station and bathroom stops. We really enjoyed that time together! 

We ordered Dion's pizza and picked it up on the way home. The kids loved being at our house and having lots of space to run around and to play. We took them swimming twice and a third time after Kiley came over to have dinner with us and to take them to her mom's house on the third day. 

I made the kids' favorite crepes for breakfast the first morning, and they played for hours. Eli and Eden played especially well together, and I appreciated how good Eli is with both with his little sister AND with his big brother Joseph. They all loved swimming and playing in Dot's pool, and their ABQ cousins joined them in the refreshing water. 

After dinner (white cheddar macaroni and cheese for Eden), the kids had a story and went to bed without a fuss. I was amazed at how easy Eden has become at bedtime and also how well Joseph went to bed. There was no fighting with Eden and Eli in the same bed, and Joseph didn't complain about anything. They all fell fast asleep each night! I played rain sounds on Alexa in each bedroom, and that seemed to do the trick--no more lullaby sounds for Eden.

On their second day, I took the kids to Walmart to choose a favorite movie treat and then to Weinershnitzel for lunch. We went to the Barbie movie, which was geared more for tweens and adults than young children, but they were still entertained. We went swimming again, and the Dunlap kids joined them. The water was perfect both days.

On the third day, we went through McDonald's drive-thru for breakfast to eat at the park. It was hot out, so they didn't play much, so we went to Jessica's house so they could hang out in the backyard for a while. They enjoyed the trampoline and the treehouse, but ended up going inside the house to cool off and to play. I took them back to Walmart to choose a $15-20 toy(s) for being so good during their stay with us. 

When Kiley returned from TX, I felt sad to have the kids leave us! I loved our time with them so much and missed their sweet spirits immediately. They are such special, beautiful children. I look forward to having them stay with us again during Eli's baptism trip after the holidays in December or early January.

Happy campers on the road trip from Utah to New Mexico

I

Are they just pretending to be asleep?

This little sleeping beauty is asleep for real

Eden with her new "daddy dragon"

Eli is Mr. Happy and the BEST little brother for Joseph and BEST big brother for Eden. He's a STAR child in every way.

Two down and one to go...

Joseph's fighting the urg to sleep but eventually nodded off

In their p.j.'s and playing at Grandma's house

July 24th: Crepes for breakfast on day one

Fun in the pool (plus Brandon way in back)

Ten children in the pool with TX and NM cousins!

July 25th: Movie date on day two. Look at these sweet cuties.

Eden, Eli (holding her up), and Joseph in the treehouse that their daddy helped their Grandpa Hobbs build before they moved to TX

I wish I had taken more photos of our Texas grandchildren while they were with us, but suffice it to say that we loved having them and wish it could have been longer. I love them and miss them so much.

July 18-23, 2023: Hobbs Family Reunion #2

Jared and Jenny spent a lot of time and money to add another bunk house to their cabin property near Fairview, Utah and to make many improvements to the site including an artificial grass area for playing and for outdoor movie watching! They cleared more trail paths and made sure each bunkhouse had A/C and plenty of beds for our family. In addition to the comfy and convenient bedroom, bath, and laundry room downstairs in the main cabin, there are three small refrigerators, three toilets, two showers, and an outdoor kitchen available for our families to use, as well as the main cabin kitchen. 

I enjoyed our first day with Jared and Jenny's family, getting a tour of the campsite and going out to a diner with them and with Jessica's family. We enjoyed riding in their cool side by side up into the mountains and seeing the beautiful views too.

Everything got a lot more lively when Sam's family arrived later that evening. The kids were excited to roam around and explore the area after a long car drive from Los Angeles. The following afternoon, Jacob's family arrived after a month of traveling through California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah!

We all took turns making meals for everyone each day and providing crafts and activities for the kids. Jess and Shauna helped the cousins build little boats out of corks, wooden sticks, rubber bands, and colored foam cut into sails; Sam and Kiley provided a homemade "ice cream in a bag" activity that was fun to make; Mike and I brought swords made from PVC pipe and pool noodles for the kids to play fight and water guns for the pond and pool; and Jared and Jenny provided everything else including a large inflatable pool to keep the kids cool, their side by side, the outdoor movies, a karaoke machine, plenty of drinks and snacks, and planned outings (to downtown Fairview, a cool soda shop, museums, family photos in our patriotic colors, the Pioneer Day Parade, and the Demolition Derby that included amazing fireworks!). We also had a family devotional the second night when everyone was at the campsite together. And Jacob and Shauna took family photos of everyone dressed in their Hobbs Hollow t-shirts. The pictures below are in no particular order.

Saturday the 22nd was our busiest day starting with family photos in our patriotic colors, the Pioneer Day Parade, going back to the cabin to eat and relax, karaoke time, going to the Demolition Derby to enjoy the car crashes and another frozen t-shirt wearing contest, and watching the beautiful fireworks later that night. We missed Jacob's family who left early to return home to Albuquerque after their very long road trip. It wasn't the same without them!

July 18th: On our way to Utah!

Sweet cousins Eden and Sofia in the Dunlap bunkhouse

Me near the Hobbs Hollow pond, which was extra cold this year

Jared and the boys enjoying the side by side experience

Buddy and Poppy Dunlap

Mike and I loved our turn in the side by side!

Enjoying the amazing views with Jared and Jenny (and Chloe)




Jared and Jenny, our awesome Utah kids

Fun at Rodger & Jenni's Diner our first day. The small milkshakes were HUGE, so some of us had to help finish them! We also checked out an old thrift store downtown and stopped at a tree swing for Sofia.

Shauna and Jacob took our Hobbs Hollow family photos

My all time favorite boys

Jared taking Sam and Kiley in the side by side

This scout green is my favorite Hobbs Hollow t-shirt color
Love this photo of Jared, Sam, Kiley, and Jenny too!

Outdoor sword fighting provided by Grandpa

Joseph with his favorite pup and his Uncle Jared

More sword fighting

Joseph's scary story-telling about a Cyclops

Visiting and enjoying snacks together our first night

Jess and Seb provided a yummy continental breakfast the first morning 

July 19th: Morning Yoga with Jenny

Family hike to the Zoramite Pond for the brave swimmers!


Enjoying Grandma's hot breakfast of pancakes and bacon, plus OJ

This awesome inflatable pool was the best idea for little ones to stay cool during this extra hot summer. Thank you Jenny!!!

Gathering around the fire pit and enjoying the best views at the cabin

July 19th: Making "ice cream in a bag," a fun activity that was provided by Sam and Kiley

Jared, our dog whisperer

Celebrating early and late birthdays with rice crispy treats and gifts

Making a toast to our family in the main cabin, with smoked ribs and mashed potatoes that Jared and Jenny made for all of us

Uncle Sam mentoring Mario. I love these boys! 

Taking the Dunlap girls in the side by side. Jared sure stayed busy!

Beau playing a part in the boys' homemade video

Our boys hanging out and doing their thing!

Sofia enjoying the pond and our spray guns

Hannah having fun swimming in the cold pond

Grandpa and Grandma with our 13 grandchildren and 3 dogs!

All the moms and girls together

The Dunlap crew forming a pyramid  

Tyler with wiggly cousin Noah

July 20th: Movie night on the grassy turf

Little Noah loved the outdoor movies


Wooly Mammoth skeleton at the local Museum of History

Our beautiful quiet Mario, grandson #1

Game night with our boys and Kiley

Mike clearing weeds near the pond and waterfalls

Most relaxing activity at camp

Recruiting Jenny to play Canasta with us!

Grandpa racing craft boats with Sofia

Jess and Seb enjoy their solo side by side experience

Keeping an eye on little Noah, our blondie

Our big family photo minus Jacob's family who left the reunion early

July 23, 2022: Photo of our grandkids at our previous Hobbs reunion

Our gracious, generous hosts!

The guys in red ready for the Pioneer Day Parade in Fairview Utah

Aunt Jenny with nieces and nephews at the Pioneer Day Parade 

Jared and Sam


Jenny and Sebastian


Mario and cousin Hudson


Lots of energy with Noah around!

Hobbs and Dunlap's enjoying the Demolition Derby together