July Part 2

We were lucky to be in Utah for the first “official” Veech Family Reunion. This is the reunion with my mum’s family. We camped at Jolley’s Ranch, just up the canyon and had a great time. We took pictures, made crafts, ate some really good food, had a “Minute to Win it” competition, and held an auction to raise money for the next reunion. It was so fun be all together. I really love my family!!  

Enjoying the fire

  

Minute to Win it madness

  

Other fun stuff:

     

 

We also got to spend a couple of days up in Park City with my aunty and uncle. We mostly just hung out at the condo eating and swimming. The boys enjoyed some cupcake with blue frosting!

 

July part 1

July was really busy. We got up to quite a lot. We tried to hike to Stewart Falls with our good friends, but got cut off by the snow,

 

spent a day in Salt Lake, mostly showing the boys temple square (they loved the water!),

 

and went bowling. Jackson watched Superman on my iPod the entire time, but Owen loved it!

We also celebrated July 4th! Yay! Definitely one of my favorite holidays, and my birthday. We went to the fireworks on the 2nd in Provo and then celebrated at home on the 4th. We got to see my good friend Jamie (no photos- boo), then had a bbq, cake and ice cream, and sparklers with all my family. It was a great day!  Jackson didn’t really care, but Owen loved the fireworks and the sparklers. I’m pretty sure he almost started a few people on fire with his sparklers. It was pretty funny.

      

I do love America!

June update

I am finally doing it. Updating the blog.  I’m not really sure how to begin. I think I’ll let the photos do most of the talking.

We had a great time on our holiday. We spent 7 weeks in Utah with my family. The boys loved it, we loved it, we think my family loved it.

Saying goodbye to Grandma,and finally sleeping in LA, after no sleeping on the flight. It was a nightmare.  But we made it and it was worth it. We spent a lot of time playing, went to the Art City Days parade (not impressed), spent time with family, and enjoyed the sun!

 

One of our first weekends there, we went to Yellowstone with my family. It was freezing. The boys were miserable. But we had fun with my family.

 

 

We also did some swimming, visited Pirate Island and Chuck E. Cheese (not on the same day, thank heavens) and stopped at the Olympic Ski Museum in Park City-after a lot of shopping, of course.

      

Lots of days were spent just hanging out and catching up with family and friends as well. Good times. We were so grateful that the boys were able to spend time with everyone and get to know them. They learned quickly that they could get almost anything they wanted if they simply asked enough people. Lucky they are so cute!

Blessings

I do realize that I have a lot of updating to do, but I'll get to that soon.  I wanted to get this written down for now. 10 years ago today (in the US) I started on the adventure of a lifetime. I entered the MTC to begin my mission to Auckland New Zealand. I had no idea then how much this adventure would change my life. 

I had a great mission. It definitely wasn't easy, and I often felt pushed to my limit. I had some difficult companions. But, I also had some wonderful companions. I had 2 wonderful mission presidents. I met some of my favorite people in the world. I got to teach people who wanted to change and become better. I learned more of the gospel for myself. As my mission came to an end, I felt so blessed to have served. I felt blessed to be able to know and love the people in New Zealand and I knew I'd never be the same. 

Now, 10 years later, I'm married to an Australian and living in Brisbane because I went on a mission. I certainly wasn't expecting that! Sam and I entered the mission field on the same day. Who knew then? Definitely not me! But here I am. I am so grateful to be living here and for the opportunities we have here. I'm so grateful for the friends we've made here and the influence for good they've been in our lives. 

Perhaps more than most, if I hadn't gone to the MTC 10 years ago today, my life would be very different. I'm glad I went. 

The beautiful New Zealand temple at
Christmas time.

Sam and I at transfers- about 4 months
into our missions.

One of my favorite families ever, the Turner's.

This picture was the day before I went home with some
more of my favorites, Maraea Moeke and the Busby family.