FlammyFest

(FYI, Flammy = Family in our growing-up-world)

We had such a fun, family-filled time last weekend!  My sister, Susannah, and her family arrived Thursday afternoon and my Mom got in town late that night.  One of the first orders of business on Friday was to participate in Krispy Kreme's Ugly Tie Contest for Father's Day.  All you had to do was bring in an ugly tie and you got a free dozen doughnuts.  Ohhhhh yesss.  Then we made a Costco run to prepare for the weekend's festivities.

On Friday afternoon, my brother Andy, and his wife Amy arrived at our house.  We had a yummy outdoor dinner that night and got ready for a big race the next day - a half marathon that much of my extended family came to town for, though only 3 of us ended up running.

Utah Valley Half Marathon & Kids 1K

Andy, Me, and Ben at the starting line, in the Provo Canyon
My cousin dubbed us the "Whitlock Waddlers" because a few people who had
originally planned on running with us were dealing with some injuries.  Alas, the injuries
prevented them from running, but they didn't prevent us from keeping the name.
To make it even better, my brother and sister coordinated sweet running outfits for us.
We were definitely the best-dressed runners in the race.

We broke race rules and hugged the Flammy who came to see us at the halfway
point, at the mouth of the canyon.  It was so fun to see them.

Sprinting to the finish line in downtown Provo.
(Well, however much you can sprint on your 13th mile...)

All done!

Sister + Selfie  :-)

Mother + Son

My personal cheering section.

We had just enough time to go home and let Luke take a little nap before
coming back to the finish line for a free 1K the Bigs and Whit were running.
My kids were ready for action (check out the look on Jack's face.  He wanted to WIN.)
Whit was a little less enthusiastic, but he managed to wake up enough to walk.

"GO Big Kids!"

Cat ran ahead while Ben got started with Jack and Eliza.

By the time I saw Cat near the finish line, she had started walking,
but she quickly picked up her pace when she heard me cheering.

There she goes!

I had been looking for Ben with Jack and Eliza but Jack had
run ahead of Ben, and I completely missed him.  He did cross the finish line...
at some point, haha.  Here Eliza approached the finish line on Ben's shoulders.

She finished strong, though!

BLING!

"AMY'S PREGNANT!" -Jack, over and over again.
Then when he managed to stuff a soccer ball into his shirt,
 "I'm pregnant too!"

 

Saturday night we hosted a big Cousin Dinner and Baby Shower
with all of the extended family who live nearby and who had come into town
for the race (supposedly to run...).  There were 40 people at our house and it was
a hectic good time.

On Father's Day, my grandparents were able to connect with a woman in my ward who we realized they had known 60 years ago.  How cool!  Also during Church, the Primary children sang "I'm so Glad When Daddy Comes Home" for the congregation.  There was such a small group that day and I loved that we could pick out Jack's and Eliza's voices.  And at the end when the kids are supposed to make a kissing sound and blow a kiss out to the listeners, Eliza made the sound but didn't really do the gesture.  The kids were all so cute that when they finished the song, many of us in the congregation laughed a little.  Jack said right there from the stand, pretty loudly, "What's so funny??" Which made everyone laugh again.  And when he walked to where we were sitting, he asked us, "Why is everyone laughing?" in a loud voice.

Oma and Opa with Mary, a friend from Wyoming in the 1950's.

After Church, our family (and one of Cat's Primary teachers) stayed and listened to Cat do a solo recital she'd been preparing for months.  She sang "There Is a Castle on a Cloud" while I accompanied her very poorly.  Then she played "Sonatina;" a medley of "Teach Me to Walk in the Light," "I Have Two Little Hands," and "Tell Me, Dear Lord;" and "Tarantella." It was great for her to have a chance to perform for Grammy, Oma and Opa, and aunts and uncles.

Then everyone came back to our house and hung out while Ben, the Grill Master, worked some magic and made us an awesome dinner (on Father's Day).  I did contribute rolls, but that's it.

We had a busy, but very fun weekend!  I LOVED it.  I only wish we could have had more family here with us.