Cape Cod & Nantucket

The Freeman Family got to spend a week together at Cape Cod and Nantucket this year. We went kayaking, sailing, ate some yummy food, sat at the beach, and just enjoyed time together. That is my kind of vacation! I am totally amazed at how beautiful this world is. I can't get enough of it.

The family pic, including our wonderful hosts/relatives, Chips and Rick Norcross.

Joanna became a master kayaker. She's considering
becoming a kayak instructor at Cape Cod.

Aren't they cute?

Nantucket is about as picturesque as it gets.

Now it's even more picturesque with Joanna.

Sailing on the Cod. It's a little trickier than we anticipated,
but Chips was a great instructor and we started to navigate with ease.

She's a sailor! She sails!

Windy on the boat ride, but extremely picturesque.

There once was a man from Nantucket.

No place is too posh for ice cream.

Nothing feels quite as good as sinking your feet into Cape Cod sand

The house where we stayed with our generous hosts

Bye Bye! Bye Bye!

July 4th 2015 & The Jacob Family Reunion

The Jacob Family Reunion (my immediate family) was so great! When you are away from family for so long, you learn to appreciate them so much more. It was just so good to be with them! They kicked it off with some service weeding the park, then water games, yummy and healthy food, a Temple trip, a camping trip to the Mountains of Scofield where my Dad has his sheep back in the day, and it was all so good. I am kicking myself for not taking pictures of the events - but they were so memorable. Hopefully I can pocket away some of those pictures in my heart.

The Fourth of July is always best when spent with Family. Nate was smart and had fun by going to Monticello that day and participating in the festivities there. I'm so proud of him for staying so cheerful and finding good and fun things to do while we are away.

Here are some fun pics from the 4th here.

The balloon festival

Not quite ready for that pic - but love it anyways 

military jeep

They even let them start the truck and hit the horn

He stole that sucker from his cousin

I turned around and there Mason was with my Grandma Andersen - she's 94

with the drummer boy

My favorite stop - the violin maker 

The children's center

The famous Candy-bomber Gail Halverson did a fly over and dropped candy on a few zillion children

Hat's off to my honey 

First time he remembers fireworks. So fun to watch him!

Summertime in Utah 2015

After being away from family and Utah for a while, you love it ever more! I keep thinking how amazing it is to have an extended family support like this. Mason is in heaven in Utah - and I always feel so sad tearing him away from it. Good thing he has some super cute friends in Charlottesville to go back to in the Fall. I also like the idea of coming to Utah and just focusing on people for a little while. There's something nice about getting away from your daily routine, and just spending time with people you love. It has been so much fun to spend time with both my family as well as Nate's. Both so unique and beautiful in different ways. I love them both so much and feel so grateful for the positive influence they have on my life and on the lives of my children.

Rent a Puppy (a company my cousin Jena started) was a huge hit for Mason and Stan

Stanley with beautiful Aunt Alissa

Mason thinks he is pretty cool with those shades!

swimming with Mason's buddy 'Uncle Jordan'

practicing their rock climbing skills

Baking bread with Grandma

While practicing their letters

I almost caught Mason and Stan in an impromptu jamming session together.

Mom and Dad come to Charlottesville

Having my Parents come to Charlottesville I think was a little like having heaven walk through the front door. There's no one who knows you and loves you quite like Mom and Dad. We had the best time - talking, visiting places, my Mom cooked and cleaned for me, and my Dad played with my boys and fixed little odds and ends in the apartment. They spoiled me and let me sleep in a few mornings while they took care of my boys - LUXURY right?? My Parents are some of the dearest, most selfless people I have ever known. Being their daughter is pure privilege. They knew how hard it would be to be alone with my boys while Nate 2 1/2 hours away working for his internship, so they came and picked us up for a few weeks, and drove us ALL the way across the US back to beloved Utah. It was amazing to drive across that US, and see how beautiful this Country is. It has such wonderful variety - and it was really a lovely drive. 

A huge highlight was stopping in Cincinnati to visit my sister and her beautiful family while they are interning for the summer. Mason hadn't seen his best friend and cousin William for a whole 10 months, but when they got together, it was like they had never been apart. It was the sweetest thing to see them hugging each other and holding hands....so pure and so sweet. Loved that time together!! So cherished.