Growing up, my family would always take a trip to Utah once a year. Whether it was spring break, summer, thanksgiving, christmas, whatever, we always went once a year. I'm really hoping Jacob and I can keep up that tradition. So far so good. Haha. One thing we learned however, was that we will never go on a 2 week road trip when I'm 3 months pregnant. Lesson learned. Lol. But seriously we had a great time and can't wait to show off our newest addition the next time we're there!
I knew my parents were planning to go up sometime in the summer too, so we made it work to where we went at the same time to save on gas. They drove up to our place and then we all left together. We stayed at my grandparent's house the first part of our trip. Back to going to Utah every year growing up thing, there's just something about my grandparent's house that feels like home. I love going there. And it's definitely a plus when Omi makes some delicious food for us. And staying up playing cards. Seriously some of my favorite memories growing up!!
My parents stayed in SLC at my grandparent's house the whole trip. Jacob and I left after the first weekend to see his family and attend the Wilson family reunion.
I'm the youngest of 6, so I always thought I knew what a big family was. No. Jacob's grandma is a Wilson. She is 1 of 13. She had 9 kids herself. Jacob's Mom had 5. Add everyone else in and trust me it's a lot of people. It was such a great experience, even if we left before EVERYONE got there. (again being away from home for that long when prego not the best idea.)
Ever since we first started dating, Jacob has raved on and on about his family's cabin and the canyon and so on and so forth. I mean it did sound pretty cool. But being there, so much better. Haha.
A few days before we left on the trip, Jacob and I had actually been reading up on the family history on that side of the family. So after reading about the ancestors, we were able to go and see where some of them lived. And a few miles down from the property there's a small graveyard where a lot of those family members are buried. It was so surreal.
One of the highlights of the trip by far was announcing to the family that we were expecting. Soon after we got there they started handing out shirts with everyones names on it. (This was a big Wilson reunion, but the Lazenby family went up the week before to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa) All of the McConnells knew already, along with an Aunt. Well that Aunt was one of the ones in charge of shirts, and along with mine and Jacob's shirt we were given a little tiny one for the baby. Oh it made me so happy! And it was the perfect way to announce to everyone our news. So Jacob got Grandma and Grandpas attention and shared with them the tiny shirt and our announcement. We are one of 3 that are expecting a baby in January in the family and could not be more excited to have other little ones so close in age to ours!!
Okay picture overload…
Our view from the balcony.
At some point each day we were there, Jacob and I were able to get away and drive around on a four wheeler and just explore.
This was the view everywhere. It was so beautiful!
Part of the land is still used for work. Along with these guys.
This is the homestead. Complete with house, barn, outhouse, cellar.
Right now the house is boarded up because one of the original 13 is working to restore it.
The potato cellar.
It's caved in but there's still some pretty cool things in it.
By the entrance of the cellar you can still see the records of potatoes for the year. This one was in fall of 1933.
Jacob LOVED all the old equipment laying around. This is a superrrrr old motor.
Another view of the homestead.
And the outhouse.
These are some old Quaker containers.
Wilson Peak. I can't get enough of those views!
Again… Jacob loved the equipment.
Jacob helped some of his uncles set up a zip-line for the kids. It was a huge hit!
One of the days we were there was Jacob's cousin's birthday. Her wish was to cut his mustache. So just before her birthday was officially over they held him down and she cut.
Hey, I got a clean shaven husband out of it. Hahaha.
Little tiny baby shirt. We are so excited!!!
A few miles off the property we found the family cemetery.
George Deliverance Wilson.
There are so many stories in our family history records about him. It was so cool to be at his gravesite.
He had a mormon battalion emblem underneath it.
"Pioneer and member of the mormon battalion"
**Update** - After looking closer at the dates, I think this is actually his daughter. Again, confusing, but if you look at the close up on the next picture you'll see the plaque better. I thought that was really cool.
She has a pioneer plaque on hers.
Jesse Wilson. Jacob's great grandfather. When I say Wilson reunion, it's the Jesse and Lilith Wilson family.
His wife Lilith.
This is the first of the original 13 of their children to pass away. He's now buried next to them.
Our last view of the Canyon and Wilson peak before we left. What an amazing experience!
When we left the reunion we went back to my grandparents. My brother had flown in for the weekend, so we all spent some time together. And ever got together with my cousins and some aunts and uncles. Jacob had a stash of fireworks so one night we went and popped some with my cousins. (We were there over Pioneer day, a huge celebration in Utah. Almost like a 2nd fourth of july, but celebrating pioneer history.) We also got to have a date night with one of Jacob's good friends that he grew up with and her husband. Unfortunately the only pictures I have from the trip that weren't at the cabin is of fireworks. Haha.
It was such a great trip over all. But at the same time I was so happy to come home. And to sleep in my bed. I must admit though, going back to work wasn't very easy. Lol.
We haven't been up to much since we've been home. Things that were so easy before are such a struggle now that I'm pregnant. So we like to take things easy around here now. Haha.
