Visit from WV Kinfolk

The smallest member of the family atop the tallest.  Dax and Uncle David.

I met Sarah's Father only on a few occasions before we got married.  Unfortunately, he was sick and I didn't really get the chance to know him as well as I would have liked to.  I could tell he was a good man with a kind and sweet soul and that he loved Sarah dearly, but I can only recall one real conversation with him before I married his daughter.  A couple months after Sarah and I were married, John passed away.  I would say that I miss him, but I didn't really know him.  The closest way I can describe how I feel is that I miss him, but I guess what I really miss is that I never got the chance to know him better; to see and experience all that was John...the Dad Sarah loved so much. 

John's family, Sarah's Aunt and Uncle and cousins, etc, all live in Ohio and West Virginia. So, naturally, we don't see them often.  On occasion when we do see them, I value the time.  Perhaps it's because it fills that void of not having gotten to know John better before he passed.   Perhaps it's just because their good people and a pleasure to be around.  Sarah's Uncle Chip (John's Brother-in-law) passed away recently and Sarah was able to attend his funeral in Columbus, OH.  While there she was able to visit her Aunt Kathy and her Uncle David (John's Brother).  We were pleased to hear shortly after her return that Uncle David and Aunt Debbie would be visiting us here in Utah.  I guess funerals are good that way.  They renew the kinships and cause us to want to draw closer to those we love and call family.

Sarah's family is awesome!  When they say you marry the family, not just the bride, It makes me happy with my decisions.  I love her immediate family as well as her extended family on both sides; the Wilsons and the Scherers.  Of course, many of my posts reflect how close we are with the Scherer side of the family.  Fortunately, they mostly live nearby.  The Wilson side of the family is smaller and much further away, so naturally we have less interaction with them.  So, when we do have the opportunity to visit with the Wilsons, we take full advantage and enjoy every minute.  They are good people and I have come to love them.  

We've enjoyed visits from Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chip as well as a trip to Columbus, OH to visit them.  Other than Uncle David, who is a long haul truck driver, stopping on his way across the U.S., I haven't met his family...until this Summer.  Uncle David, Aunt Debbie and Grandson, Justin, drove across the country to spend a week with us and we loved having them here.  It's too bad they don't live closer.

The Reed boys enjoyed hanging out with David, Debbie and Justin too.  

The kids loved playing "Pie Face"

I love the reactions on their faces...especially Jake's

Even Marley got in on the action.

Uncle David...please no photos...he hates the Paparazzi

Uncle David helping Dax with the clean up.

Water Balloon fun

Uncle David and Aunt Debbie staying out of the line of fire.  

Marley enjoying the water balloon battle

Justin making a grass whistle to entertain Marley.

Aunt Debbie.  :)  Is Dax smoking a hooka pipe in the background?

Uncle David is ginormous!  He really is a big man, but standing next to these two he looks
even taller.  I prayed and prayed that Dax might get some of the Wilson height, but alas it
looks like he got more of the Trosper and Scherer height...or lack thereof.  

They took some time to visit Sarah's Dad's grave at the Veteran's cemetery.

Leah sure loves Justin.  She told me once, "I wish Justin were my older brother".
I think that might be one of the greatest compliments ever spoken.  

Of course, her cousin, Jake, is one of her besties and like a brother.  

Are peace officer Duane and Uncle Dave flashing gang signs?!  I think this was
a goofy photo, but Leah and Justing and Emerson didn't get the memo.  Emerson
always makes funny faces when he smiles for a picture, but this isn't so bad.  

Top L-R: Duane, Uncle Dave, Sarah, Aunt Debbie
Bottom L-R:  Jake, Justin, Emerson

Just the ladies; Molly, Aunt Debbie, Sarah and Leah

We had a great bbq at the Wilson Farm.  The whole family was there, but Mom
and Aunt Kathy.

I like this picture.  I think it turned out pretty great...other than Cole's face.
Silly boy.

Justin taught all the kids how to make whistles out of grass.  Here is Dax
trying his hand at playing the West Virginia grass flute.  

Duane took the WV Grass flute to another level.  Here he is playing a
Vivaldi Symphony.  

Jake lifting Reagan up high so she can see eye to eye with Uncle David.

Even Emerson's high 5 on top of his Dad's shoulders still fall short of Uncle David's high 5.

Reagan getting to know Aunt Debbie

Justin helping Leah shoot mechanical snakes at Cabela's

Poor little short Dax.  He doesn't let it stop him.  

Jake taking this serious.

Justin showing the kids how it's done.

Everybody took a trip North to Hill AFB to visit Jacob and the air
museum there.  

These two worked so hard on this puzzle, and in the end...it was missing a piece.  

Sarah and Aunt Debbie feeling accomplished after completing their puzzle.

Dax the Builder!  Can he fix it?

YES HE CAN!  Dax says, "I ficked it"

Lunch time in the canyon.

Uncle David and Leah

It's cold in here!  Get me out of here!

I love this picture and the picture of Leah.  The kids are totally enthralled by
whatever it is that Uncle David is sharing with them.  

When Uncle David first said they were coming our way, Sarah asked them what
they wanted to do.  The one thing that was mentioned was that Justin wanted to
see The Salt Flats.  

There is really nothing out at The Salt Flats, but the contrast between the salted
earth and the blue skies is beautiful.  

"I have my salt...where are my fries?"

"Do you realize the street value of these salt flats?!

Two things Utah is known for...The Salt Flats and those
darn crickets!

The salt of the earth...speaking both literally and metaphorically of the good
people that Uncle David and Aunt Debbie are.

Justin took some of our Utah salt back home and then
mailed to Leah a big lump of authentic West Virginia
coal.

Gotta' get a pic in front of the sign, "Bonneville Salt Flats".

The Great Salt Lake

We loved our time with our family from WV and look forward to the next time we see them.  These pictures don't show the many fun conversations, laughs and heartfelt shared thoughts.  It was healing to visit with them and hear stories of Uncle Chip and to get to know a little bit more about Sarah's Father, John.  We really did enjoy their visit and have stayed in touch with them since.  They have been so kind to the kids and all of us.  They sent us all WVU t-shirts in addition to the stuffed animals for the kids.  Thank you for visiting Uncle David, Aunt Debbie and Cousin Justin.  Feel free to visit anytime.  Hopefully one day we find ourselves out your way.  We love you.