Change

My family had our annual reunion this week. We spent most of a day at Murray Summit where I have many happy memories growing up of ward camp-outs and picnics. We had about 43 people there, not everyone, but a lot of us. It was the last time for us to gather at my parents' home because the next day we loaded up their belongings and moved them to American Fork, Utah. It was hard to say goodbye to the home I grew up in. My family moved there just a few months after I was born. It's my home. My parents did a ton of work on the house. I remember getting out house plans on Sundays and dreaming about how to remodel the house. Years later, after all of us kids moved out, they finally had the chance to make those dreams a reality. It's sad to see them leave it after all the work and all the living that happened there. Yet at the same time, I know that having them in Utah is best for them so they can be closer to doctors and so that those of us close by can look after them. It's important to look forward and not back, but I am so thankful for the happy childhood and happy memories I have of my Nevada home.

My nephew and his wife and son stayed with us
before the reunion. S had a great time playing with their son.

Ward Mountain--I love this mountain!
Murray Summit is near the foot of this mountain.

S, not too keen on having her picture taken
(at Murray Summit campground).

S and her cousin decorating a picture frame together

My brother, Eric, and his family

4 generations!
My brother, Scott; his son, Joseph; Joseph's son; and my dad.

S playing with another cousin.
She had so much fun playing with cousins!

The house is looking bare...

No furniture left to sit on for lunch so the floor will have to do.

As Nathan drove off in the moving truck, 2 of my sisters and I ran
around to the front of the house to wave goodbye again. This is a
 tradition we've had whenever someone leaves. It was emotional
 for all of us. It felt final.

My parents' home

My niece rode with S and I back to Utah.
They both had a good nap :)

I inherited my parents' baby grand piano, the one I
learned to play the piano on. We were blessed to have some
 good friends help us move it into our house.

Going down the stairs...

Its final resting spot. Now we just need to finish the basement!