Wicked!!!

Jared and I went and saw Wicked last Wednesday and it was AMAZING!!!! Thanks again honey for the wonderful anniversary gift. It was so much better than I even imagined! I LOVED, LOVED LOVED, LOVE, LOVED it! Now I have to buy the sound track.

The curtain...it was the only photo we could really take of the play.

Jared and I at WICKED!!

The stars of the show... Elphaba and Glinda.

Banner Family Reunion

Yes...another vacation. We have been all over the place this summer and I have had a hard time keeping the blog updated because of it. This vacation was a family Reunion on the Banner side. We drove up to Salt Lake City where the reunion was being held. We had a great time! While we were at the reunion we got to see so much family that I miss so dearly. A BIG thanks to Kevin and Melanie for hosting the party. We really had the time of our lives!! We love and miss all the family and can't wait to see everyone again.

Here are some pictures from the reunion:

We went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple
open house and it was BEAUTIFUL!!

Ethan and Mommy after our swim at the Jordanelle Reservoir.

Ethan waking up from a nap at the reservoir. (Isn't he so cute!)

The whole group at the Conference Center near Temple Square.

Ethan fell asleep on our tour of the Conference Center...he just woke up in this picture.

Jared, Ethan and I in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

Ethan and Aunt Janae...she isn't part of the Banner Family but she

does live in Utah so we got to see her and Aunt Jessica! What a treat!

And that about summarizes our trip. I think we are done with vacations for awhile...whew!!!

Austin Reunion

We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. Jared's brother Jamin and his wife April as well as their two children came the week of the 4th to visit us in Phoenix. They drove all the way from Texas and we appreciate the sacrifice that drive was. Since Jamin and April planned to come for the 4th the rest of Jared's siblings decided to come to Phoenix as well. The only missing Austin sibling was Jacob who is on a mission in Washington State. Jared's three younger sisters were all here Jessica, with her daughter Austyn, as well as Janae and Jenna. 

Here is the family:

April and Jamin

Jamin and April's son Devin 

Jamin and April's daughter Jaycie

Janae, Jessica and Jenna (left to right)

Jessica's daughter Austyn

That is the family and we were so delighted to see everyone. Family get togethers are not to common and it was a honor to host the reunion. Jamin, April, Devin, and Jaycie were here for a week while everyone else was here for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and some Monday. We had a blast the only thing that could have made it better is if Jared's mom and her husband could have been there. 

Some of the activities that we did with part or all of the family were: swimming,  had a barbeque, went to the Phoenix Children's Museum, found a splash park, visited the Grand Canyon and the list goes on and on. One of my favorite moments was when we went to the splash park in Chandler. Ethan LOVED the water. He would try to "catch" the water with his hand. When the spray would go away and come up in a different place he would chase it. He was so cute!!

Ethan at the splash park

Jared, Marcie and Ethan at the Grand Canyon

For the Fourth of July we went to Tempe Town Lake. They had a "festival" with a 45 minuet firework display at the end of the night. We had so much fun. The only downside to Phoenix in July is the weather. I think everyone was dying of heat and were happy to retreat back to cooler climates. (Except Jamin and April who live in Texas :)  

Waiting for the fireworks

And sure enough, as all good things do, the vacation came to and end very quickly. One by one everyone had to get back to home, work, and other responsibilities. We are so thankful that everyone made the sacrifice to get together and hope that we can have another reunion soon. We miss you guys already and we love all of you! Thank you for visiting!