Utah Trip - Part Four

Okay, enough with the broken bones and such. Too depressing and eventually expensive. Sheesh - we're going to need to start a savings account just for Spencer's medical expenses!

Saturday was the big day and the big reason we went out to Utah - it was my Grandma Roper's 80th birthday! Almost the entire Roper extended family gathered at my Uncle Delwyn and Aunt Becky's house, which is A LOT of people!

Kevin the photographer.

We started with a big group picture. I was holding Josh, and things were going fine until he got mad because I wouldn't let him pull Grandma's hair. (She was sitting in front of us.) Have you ever seen a Joshie tantrum? He flails and kicks and screams and generally acts like the 13 month old maniac he is. During the course of his tantrum he head-butted me quite hard. Kevin couldn't stop laughing and I couldn't stop the tears from welling in my eyes. (It didn't hurt that bad - it was just one of those times when you have no control over tearing up or not.) Hopefully I don't look too bad in the pictures, although I'm not sure that's realistic - I had tears in my eyes and a rather large red bruise on the side of my face. Thanks, Josh. What a great memory for posterity.

Grandma and her five children: (bottom, L-R) Bryce, Grandma, Valerie, (top, L-R) Teryl, ElRay (my dad), and Delwyn

Other than that, the party was great. We spent several hours talking, eating, eating, and talking. The kids played outside and wore each other out. I pawned Josh off on my cousins who don't have kids yet and really enjoyed myself!

Spencer shows Tim (my cousin) who's boss.

The highlight was singing Happy Birthday to Grandma around a table ablaze with 80 cupcakes, each with a candle on top. Cool idea, huh?


My grandma is so great! She is an incredible example of how to live a happy and righteous life. Happy birthday, Grandma! I love you!