Summer Round-up Part One

(Obviously I don't let guilt over not blogging more often trouble me- however I have a ton of photos so I'm going to break it up some and do a couple of posts. )

Here are some of the highlights from the beginning of summer! 

Summer is meant for Sun and surf! 

Emil M. did indeed graduate. Emil and I flew out and Emil's Mom and sister, Maria, came as well. 

We took the tour of some of the sites at Temple Square. This was on the top of the Conference Center in the garden. 

Can I just tell you how gratifying it was to have your oldest child graduate from College? 

Heaven!

Sisterly Love!
She is the ONLY person Emil allows to love all over him!

Kirstin came down from Idaho for the weekend too! She wanted to give the gown a try on to see how it will feel in 3 years.

He has been home working at the Cotton Gin over the summer. It's been nice to have him home again. 

After graduation I ran the 10K I had been training for with my running partner Jaime. We did great and finished strong!

I got some new cookie cutters and had a fun time with them they came in handy when I made gift bags for all the families that came to the Yoder Reunion at Avon, NC in June.

My parents rented out 5 cottages and we had a week of fun in the sun!

It was wonderful seeing all my nieces and nephews with their young families and getting to spend some time with some of them!

Michael, Timmy & Sara Brown

Me and Dustin Plastow being piratey

My brothers set up a movie night and we watched some classic Godzilla movies. 

No reunion would be complete with out the Girls Chocolate Extravaganza! It did not disappoint

Sheila explaining the virtues of chocolate covered almonds. 

 We did do some touring with the family including a trip to the top of the Hatteras lighthouse which I had never actually been up!

 It was a great view. 

And a trip to the Ocracoke Lighthouse which I just love!

 My favorite part was Emil and I spending almost every day down at the beach soaking up rays, enjoying the waves and catching up with whoever chose to come down for the day. It was so relaxing and just what we needed.

Jake Yoder

Isabelle Yoder

Emil, Mattie, Mark

Carolina

David Yoder

Mom

James & Dad

Craig, Sumi, Eric, Donna, Kathryn, Emil, Emil M., Lisa,  Michelle

It was awesome to get to know one of my cousins and his family. 

Eric & Donna Steinhauer

We also got to see my Aunt Sumi and her husband Craig, whom I met last year at the Yoder reunion in PA that I went to with my parents. What a sweet couple they are! It was so fun hanging with them! I wonder if Craig has become a world class surfer yet? Emil taught him the week we were at Avon.

We have been so blessed to have such wonderful families! I loved spending the week with them and wish we all lived a bit closer. There just wasn't enough time to spend with them all but what a blessing it was all the same!