family reunions and such

the first part of august was packed with family reunions and activities, mostly with austin's side of the family -- all of austin's aunts and uncles and cousins came out to utah to spend a week with each other. with family spanning the country from washington (state) to north carolina, it was a great chance to see the taylors we don't see very often.


we did spend an evening at laura's great aunt's house in south jordan with some extended family and caught this amazing view. we're not sure if you technically call it a sunset because this is facing east, but the setting sun created the most amazing colors on these clouds to the east. it was this beautiful for about 30-40 minutes before it finally got too dark.


this is the whole taylor family. austin is the oldest grandkid so he's seen the family grow by adding aunts and cousins (and now cousins getting married and having babies!) over the years.


the taylors are a silly bunch. there's no shortage of laughs when we all get together.


we wanted a picture just with these taylors.


austin had a great time with carter and regained favorite uncle status by letting him turn lights and fans off and on.


part of the family reunion included a trip to almo, idaho -- the tiny ranching community where austin's grandfather grew up. austin was unable to go because of the new job, but laura was very brave (austin's words) and went by herself. the photo above is of an old shed on the ranch property.


laura and jenna and carter and scott and cheryl and braden (and some other taylors) stayed at a new lodge in town since there wasn't room for everyone at the house in almo. the reason for a place like this in almo is due to the nearby city of rocks national reserve that attracts lots of visitors -- especially rock climbers -- each year.


not only was laura brave enough to go by herself to almo, but she was brave enough to get on a horse, which she told austin she wasn't planning on doing! (it may or may not have been the same horse the little kids rode...)


one of many many great views inside the city of rocks. we'd like to go back again (just with austin along for the trip next time).

we had a really great time with family. it was great for laura to see some of austin's family she's not as familiar with, and it was great for austin to see some cousins that he barely recognized because they're growing up so fast!