Playing catch up one post at a time: Nolan Family Reunion Day 2

For July 4th most of us headed to Yellowstone. We decided to go to Flaming Gorge, on the way through the park traffic slowed to a near stop for bison crossing. After waiting a while park rangers showed up to help cars through and bison across, it took a long time but finally we got through. It was neat to see the bison so close.

Flaming Gorge was packed with people but we found a place to sit and have lunch. Before we got over to Flaming Gorge it went off so we had to wait for the next time. It was a bit rainy so we went in the gift shop at the inn and spent time in the visitors center. By the time we saw Flaming Gorge it was time to head back to the cabin to get dinner started.

Genevieve, Connor, Mary, the back of Mitch's head, and Ella.

Katie, John, and Rebecca. Katie didn't stay in the back pack long.

Rebecca, Lawon, a sliver of me, John & Katie, Jay, and the back of Mary's head.

Rebecca, Katie, Genevieve, Ella, and Luc on a tree see saw.

Mitch, Connor, and Dad on the way to the Flaming Gorge viewing area.

Katie and John

A tease from Flaming Gorge, we were begining to wonder if was going to go off again.

Finally it did.

By the time we saw Flaming Gorge it was time to head back to the cabin to get dinner started. On the way out of the park traffic slowed for the bison again but it didn't take very long to get by. That evening the kids had fire work pops to throw and we had a pinata. Some then enjoyed the hot tub for a while and then we all gathered around the fire pit again for smores. Mom and Mary had both brought glowing necklaces and bracelets for the kids which they loved. We had sparklers and could see nearby fireworks.

In the back Aunt Marlyn & Uncle Stan.

Up front Katie, John, Luc, Megan, and Connor roasting marshmallows and enjoying the ashes.

Dad, Rebecca enjoying a smore, Aunt Shirley, and Sherry

Ella, Connor, and Carol

Genevieve

Megan

Playing catch up one post at a time: Nolan Famly Reunion Day 1

July 3-6 we enjoyed a reunion with my dads sisters in Island Park, Idaho and also in Yellowstone National Park. John and I left very early on the 3rd and had a quick and easy drive up. We got there rather early so spent sometime at Macks in and a fishing shop waisting time. Once at the cabin the car we rented got a flat tire so we stayed and hung out while the cabin was being cleaned from the last tenants. The cabin we stayed at was huge, it slept 33 and had six and a half baths. Around 3:00pm everyone else began to show up, this was Johns first time meeting my dads family so we had lots of introductions.

The Cabin in Island Park, Idaho

That evening John went out to put the spare tire on the car and ended up being the entertainment for the next little while, which John wasnt completely thrilled about but he got the tire taken care of with a bit of help from my Brother in law, Mitch.

Katie had many adoring fans, all the girls were happy to keep her entertained and she loved the attention.

Later that evening we gathered around the firepit and dad gave some histories of our family members and we socialized it began to rain and we all headed inside except for John and our nephew, Luc, who made it their job to keep the fire going despite the soggyness.

Dad giving brief histories of our ansestors with the help of family.

Dad standing, sitting left to right Lawon, Adam, Todd, Megan, Carol, and part of Molly.

Uncle Mike, Uncle Stan, Aunt Shirley

Mitch, Mom, Katie, Aunt Linda, Megan, Kieth & Michelle standing, Me, Ella, Mary, Connor, John, Rebecca, and Luc.

Katie had a nice little seat at the fire pit.

Rebecca, Connor, Luc, and Genevive enjoying the fire.

I stayed busy keeping Katie safe and out of things in her new environment until bedtime, she wanted to be where all the older kids were. By the end of the day we were very excited for the next few days and the time we had to be with family.

Playing catch up one post at a time" Grandpa Jay turns 90

On June 26 my Grandpa, Jay Memmott turned 90.
He is an amazing man, as a young man he served in WWII as a mechanic and spent a lot of time in France during that time. When he and my Grandma were married they drove up to Salt Lake and eloped at the court house, they have three children my mom and her two brothers. He has done both dairy and beef farming growing his own hay. He still gets out to take care of his cattle most days and if the cows are in the coral by the house he feeds them morning and night. Grandpa Jay is loving and caring, I love to get a hug every time we see him.

My Grandparents Wedding Picture

Grandpa and my mom when she was little

Grandma and Grandpa

We had a big party in his honor on Saturday June 27th. I think all but 2 of his grandchildren were there. It was so much fun to get together with so many cousins and enjoy being a big family. I'm so glad Katie has been able to get to know her Great grandpa a bit, she is named after his mom after all.

Grandpa and his surviving siblings.
Aunt Enid (grandpas sister), Ester and Chester (Grandpas Brother and his wife), Grandma Arlene and Grandpa Jay

Grandma and her serviving siblings.

Aunt Elaine(Grandmas sister), Uncle Dick (Grandmas brother), Grandma Arlene

My grandparents with most of their great grand children. Katie was not happy with all the craziness it took to get that many kids together.

My grandparents with my mom her brothers and their spouses.

Top Left to right: Randy, Mylene, George (dad), Rosalie (mom), Carolyn, Tom
Bottom Grandpa Jay and Grandma Arlene

Grandpa Jay and Katie

Playing catch up one post at a time: The Zoo

June 23 Katie and I went with my sister, Mary, and her two kids, Ella and Connor, to the Zoo. It was Katie's first trip to the Zoo. I didn't get many pictures because my camera battery died as soon as we got there, I did get a few pictures with my phone. Katie loved the animals and she wanted to knock on every animals window, of course they have a note asking you not to knock.

Sitting in her wagon all ready to go.

I love the canopy on our wagon, no sunburns for Katie.

Connor, Ella, and Katie at the big cat exhibit.


Connor wouldn't stay for a second picture. Katie enjoyed her cousin Ella and wanted her to hold her hand and be with her the whole time.

Playing catch up one post at a time: Camping

Our laptop is forever gone and until we can buy a new computer we are using my dad's computer (Thanks dad!). I try to get on while Katie is sleeping but usually by the time I check my e-mail and surf the web for a bit I'm ready to nap with her for a little while. I plan to be better an get caught up on all that we've been doing this summer the first post of which is our overnight camping trip.



The first weekend in June we drove up Little Cottonwood canyon and stayed at the Tanners Flat camp ground. While John was setting up the tent Katie had a little fall and hurt her wrist which is why she has her arm in a sling the whole time. She didn't want to use her arm the entire time we were camping but as soon as we got home and gave her a bath it was like nothing happened. Katie was unsure of the fire, it didn't bother her until it popped a couple times and then she was done with it so we put it out and turned in early.

The river was just down from our tent site. It was beautiful.
Katie wore Daddy's beanie to stay warm, and kept her Binky in nearly the whole trip. It made her feel better about her arm.

Daddy had to climb on all the big rocks.

More of the beautiful river.

There were two does close to our campsite, here's one of them.

Katie liked the tent and wanted to play with all the pockets.

Making a silly face.

Our new family tent. We have two other tents both are for back packing, a one person and a two person. Now that we will have a family of four we decided to get a big car camping family tent.

What a cute little girl in pink.

Katie likes big rocks like her daddy.

We had a good time and are sad that this is likely the only camping we will do this year.