On November 23, 1990 LeRoy and I were sealed in the Jordan River Temple in the large sealing room with the stained glass window.
On April 29, 2018 LeRoy and I were in that same sealing room with all six of our children, including two of their spouses, one grandbaby, and another grandbaby on the way....our posterity. I was so touched to have all of us in the exact same room where we began.
After the tour, we spent about 30 minutes playing in Heavenly Father's yard. Kailee was happy to run in circles; Nathan and Hyrum were happy to chase her. Justin got in his signature hand stand and Levi wandered the grounds getting some really great pictures. Once Erika's swelling ankles had had enough, we continued on with our plans.
P.S. We did try to keep her ankles from swelling by using a wheelchair for the tour. Alas, pregnancy has a way with ankles.
Our forever has already begun and it is beyond any dreams, expectations or hopes that I have ever had. I am so honored and blessed to live life with these beautiful souls to call family!
Daymia, Levi, Hyrum (10), Justin, Derek
The temple open house was the starting point of our reunion but we couldn't just meet up and go to the place where our family started, we also needed to play and laugh and be together. It was time for the very first, LeRoy and Kimberly Edwards family reunion.
Prior to our temple tour, our reunion actually started in Rexburg. Justin and Derek were home so we all went to the drive-in theater to watch Infinity War.
We piled into the back of the trucks, set up a couple of camp chairs and snuggled up for the show. The best part of the whole show was after the very last scene, when LeRoy stood up and declared, "that was the stupidest movie I've ever seen". He prefers a happy, solid ending without a cliff hanger.
The next morning we headed to Utah to meet up with Bret and Erika for the temple tour. After the temple tour we made our way to JCW's The Burger Boys for some lunch.
Though they had delicious food, we left feeling a bit guilty for wasting so much. The portions were huge!! Still, our bellies were full and we were ready for some fun.
Before heading over to Boondocks in Draper, we checked into our hotel and quickly changed clothes. Never a dull moment with this family, not even in an elevator.
Their shirts say it all, hunk of a Grandpa and stud university student.
Boondocks was a blast!! We felt quite official with our credit card like pass cards and wrist bands.
Our first stop was golfing, at least for most of us. Poor Erika had ankles the size of baseballs so she sat for most of the time with Kailee contained in a play area.
Everyone has a special golf pose...
Next stop: go carts.
Hyrum wasn't quite tall enough to ride alone so he and Levi partnered up. Erika, Kailee and I cheered them on from the side lines.
The batting cages drew out any final aggression and left a few sore muscles the next day.
Kailee was not to be left out. She donned a helmet and dragged her bat around like she was a pro!
We were able to get all that in with only a few rain drops, which were actually quite refreshing. While Idaho was still in a springtime slumber, Utah was well into the higher temperatures and we weren't quite used to it yet.
Inside, we wandered at our own pace, pairing off with whoever was interested in the same game, as we took on the arcade and laser tag.
Our very favorite was the XD Dark Ride 7D. We chose the Zombie movie for our virtual experience and it did not disappoint!
We gave our best attack as we screamed and squealed, all the while shooting at zombies as we were tossed in our chairs, with fake wind blowing in our hair. Hyrum was the one who was adamant that we do the Zombie movie and we could tell he loved it by his big eyes, hesitant grin, and the comment, "well, I'm gonna have nightmares tonight".
I stayed in the room and put Kailee to sleep so that Erika could get off her feet and let the water take the belly pressure off of her hips.
This picture is a pregnant woman's dream. Relaxing, weightless, floating comfort in a cute swimsuit!
Erika was a champ throughout the whole day! She could have easily gone home and every one of us would have understood, but she stuck it out, even if only to watch the fun instead of fully participating in it. I'm so proud of the woman that she is!
After a good night's sleep, we gathered the next morning for an IHOP breakfast, carrying on the vacation tradition that we've had with each long trip home from Texas. We always stopped there for breakfast before hitting the last stretch of road home.
I absolutely loved this weekend with my family! I love watching my kids hang out together as friends. I love their laughter, their personalities, and their love for each other. I'm grateful to call them all mine.
No comments:
Post a Comment