Water Party

Angie and Ajay came for a week and a half and just left and we were so busy (2 weddings, baby shower for Bryant and Mindy, birthday dinner for Angie, camping with Sierra and Art, 24th of July 10K and celebrations, rockclimbing in the canyon and countless family and friends get togethers) that I didn't even take pictures! Except for our little water party with "the Girls" It was fun. Aren't they beautiful!

Nauvoo

I went out to Nauvoo a couple of weeks ago to see my family in the Nauvoo pageant and it was actually amazing. Let me preface by saying this is NOT something my family does naturally or regularly. But my mom has been dying to do it for years and so my dad, Greg and Haylee were all so sweet and did it just for her pretty much. It wasn’t easy either. They practiced VERY long days in VERY hot humid sun for over a week and then did shows every night. Even my mom wasn’t too stoked about it at times. But somehow it was all worth it. I don’t know how to explain it but there is a spirit there I can’t describe. And seeing my family do it, is so incredibly touching to me. The very first night I was just touched by the spirit of the pioneers, their sacrifices and all they did, how it relates to us and how we relate to them because we all experience hardships and how we can learn from the way they handled their hardships. It is a beautiful pageant. I laughed seeing my family. My dad’s huge grin as he dances and his arms up in the air and big tall hat, how he stands out. My mom nodding her head and smiling with her arms around other women at the enactment of the Relief Society organization. She and my dad dancing together. Dancing! Haylee’s huge beautiful smile and she and Greg dancing together. And Greg, up there acting and doing his part and smiling and just being Greg- with a big huge hat on and overalls and a funny tie. I seriously laughed and laughed and yet there was something about it touching to me that I didn’t put my finger on until the following night and then it hit me so strongly I couldn’t hold back tears the entire night. Watching my family interact together was like I was watching them in their lives. I saw their strengths- Haylee’s infectious smile and incredible sweetness, Greg’s quiet strength- his arms around my family, his willingness and perception of other people’s needs. My mom’s innocent goodness and my dad’s hilariousness and just simple, good heart as he dances around sort of awkwardly beautiful. I saw them from a distance and I watched them enact scenes from a families life, our families life- my parents going through the temple and then joining Haylee and Greg in a circle, hugging. Greg with his arms around everyone. Haylee sweet and just so beautiful. My mom and dad’s strengths through trials- just like the pioneers. I was so touched. My family was enacting struggles and joys of pioneer life, and yet in it I saw our own trials, our own joys, our own strengths, and our own journey. I was able to take a step back and look at the journey my family is taking almost from God’s perspective- from an eternal perspective. I heard the Spirit whisper that things will be okay, that this is all a part of the journey in our family and that as we learn to come together, forgive and love each other we are purified in the very process and that is how we complete our journey. It’s so hard to explain how I felt but it was so significant to me. So beautiful I was like an outsider looking in and seeing how a family grows and is refined. It was really beautiful for me.

Spencer came out for the weekend and we were able to meet up with a girl he baptized on his mission, Rachel (Nauvoo was in his mission). She was single at the time but now she is married to an awesome guy, Josh, who she introduced to the church. They have a little girl and one on the way. It is amazing to see people grow in the gospel and sort of witness the bond you have with people through the gospel and the effects of a mission. It was cool.


These pictures aren't that great in quality but it's still funny to see them. Classic- my family in costumes dancing and singing!

IT'S GOING TO BE A BOY!

And I was just reminded that we haven't said what we're having- so it's going to be a BOY! Spencer was convinced it was going to be a girl so I had kind of become used to the idea of a girl but deep down I wanted a little boy. I wanted a playmate for Parker. i've loved having a sister so close and my brothers are all close and so I just pictured a boy next. So I was really excited when we found out we were having a boy. Plus, we don't have to buy new clothes! Due November 2nd.

JULY: ENJOYING UTAH SUMMERS

So far in July we’ve stayed in Utah- though I am currently writing this from Nauvoo, Illinois (more on that to come)We’ve been busy with festivities surrounding Elder Atkinson coming home, Angie coming to town for her 10 year reunion and Greg’s homecoming and Fourth of July in Eden with the Clegg’s. But we’ve had some needed Utah time. Spencer bought a rope and will go rock climbing with anyone who is willing (seriously call him)- anyone except me that is because he says it’s too risky for the baby in my tummy. We finally got out on the Lake and Spencer got some much needed wakeboarding in- once again I sat on the boat with my pregnant belly. If it weren’t for my more sensible husband I may have been out there but he keeps this baby alive I guess.


Parker's also had lots of fun time with his daddy. Pictured: the park on Father's Day, fishing with daddy and cousin Jacob at the reservoir, playing the turn tables with daddy after work, and eating butter stragith from the tub (he would seriously eat it until he was sick if we let him- we have to HIDE the tub) and he gets that from his daddy too!

I've successfully planted and tended my garden with tomatoes, 3 kinds of squash, cucumbers, eggplant, peas, and more. And Parker and I have had fun swimming whenever we can, going to the zoo or park and playing with friends who come into town- from Dax Andrus (Emily Goff's son) to Finn Murphey (Mindy Mower's son). We love Utah summers!!

ELDER ATKINSON COMES HOME!

Also in June, my youngest brother, Greg came home from his mission to Roseville, California Spanish speaking. It has been so awesome to have him home. I am totally inspired by his genuine love for the Lord and the people he served. The way he quietly lives the gospel, reads his scriptures and reaches out to others brings tears to my eyes all the time. I love having him home! And now he’s on the prowl! :) (Greg- pictured middle back)

JUNE: FROM COAST TO COAST

In June we went spent time on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Haylee, Grandma and I went to see Angie and Ajay one last time in Florida before they move to NYC in August. As usual, we loved it. Angie and I surfed just about every day- a few more weeks and my tummy would probably be too big, but the trip was just at the right time to enjoy the perfect (for me) Florida waves. Haylee and Grandma also got out on the boards and Parker adjusted to the ocean- scared of the waves at first (we’re in a scared stage). So we had lots of beach time. We also shopped, ate great Thai food, watched some movies and just loved talking and being together.

Spencer, Parker, Haylee and I also got to enjoy California and Universal Studios for a weekend. Well, Parker didn’t so much ENJOY Universal Studio’s-I think he was scarred for life after Jaws popped out of the water in front of him and King Kong roared in his face. But, hey, he loved the band playing and drew a crowd with his dancing and warmed to Shrek (originally he was terrified). It was fun. Confession: So technically we went to California in May but it fits better under this title. :)

MAY: FROM DELTA TO PARIS

Well seeing that it’s been three months I guess we should post. I’ll take it month by month…
In May Spencer started his new job/internship at General Electric Medical near the airport in Salt Lake City. He’s working x-ray machines surgeons use when they perform surgery and loves it.










Over Memorial Day we went to Grandma Atkinson’s favorite place on earth- yes Delta, Utah for an Esplin Memorial weekend get together. We visited grandpa and grandma Moody’s graves, saw the old farm and the place where thousands of Japanese American’s were kept during WWII- yes in Delta, Utah. Parker’s favorite part- the train; Spencer’s favorite- the old outhouse he found; my mom’s favorite party-EVERYTHING!

And Erin barely topped Delta with a trip to Paris, France for a Clegg girl’s trip!




Lots of eating, shopping, sightseeing and getting to know the Clegg girls better. Highlights: countryside in Amboise, learning of history and art- French Revolution and impressionist painters, old men playing poker and smoking cigars at the flea market, and my favorite time of day- my morning run around the Eiffel Tower.

pictured: walking the streets, sleeping on the bus, Monet's gardens at Giverny, Clegg women resting on a bench and also hard at work shopping, gourmet meals (this is WHIPPED PEAS!), our favorite mom Clegg in front of a beautiful Chateau in Amboise, Versaille, me reading scriptures on the streets and Clegg women in Giverny.