Dyer Reunion

The Annual Dyer Family Reunion lasted two weeks this summer.  It wasn't planned but turned out to be necessary.  Two weeks before our planned reunion we found out that Andy had cancer.  Our trip started with me and girls flying to Texas.  We then drove to UT with Peggy and her two kids.  It took two long days but we finally arrived in SLC.  Andy had started chemo treatments so we stayed in a hotel.  Our arrival:

 My parents brought Andy and Dana's kids over to SLC from NV and we all meet at the hotel.  The kids took a swim and hot tub dip before heading to dinner and then we all went to visit Andy in the hospital.  We took up the whole pool with 11 kids, aged 1-15, and four adults.

Peggy, Mom, and Dad--waiting for our table at Cracker Barrel.

Alexis and Megan playing some checkers before dinner.

Thanny and Paul also playing checkers.

We spent just one night in SLC.  Peggy and I took our kids the next day and drove to Andy's house.  We began a deep cleaning and organizing so that when Andy and Dana came home three days later they could just come home and relax.  We spent two full days cleaning and organizing.  We got the kids to help too.  Mom, Dad, and James were there too.  It was a great family effort.  

Once Andy and Dana came home it was a little crazy and a very atypical family reunion.  We still tried to do some fun activities but we were also concerned about Andy because he wasn't responding to the medicine well.  It is so hard to watch a sibling be sick and there isn't anything you can do.

Cherith, Alexis, and Megan---beautiful girls before church.

The girls taking a walk with Grandpa.

Alexis and Thanny

Whenever we were at Andy and Dana's house this is where Audrey was found---with the dogs.  I just missed capturing a picture of her riding in a toddler motor car with one of the dogs sitting next to her.  Hilarious.

Audrey and Rachel playing.

James and Isaac

Grandpa and Isaac

Alexis and Grandpa

Most of the gang.

We went up to the Canyon again.  The kids love exploring there and getting wet!

Audrey and Thanny had a great time throwing rocks into the creek.

Mom, Peggy, and I took the girls to a horse show.  I thought it was very boring but the girls seemed to like it.  

Audrey and Rachel

Girls watching the horse show.

Audrey reading to Rachel.

Peggy and I took all the kids to swim at the local pool.  They all had a great time.  I was just very thankful that I didn't have to get in and swim!

A great picture of Paul.

I absolutely LOVED that all the cousins created a game and played together.  Dan was so patient and kind with Audrey.  She spent the game on his back because the water was deep and she couldn't reach the bottom.  Audrey has always loved Dan and follows him around.

Waiting for lunch

Annual book exchange.  The kids exchange books every year in lieu of birthday presents.  Everyone loves this and seeing what book their cousin will pick out for them.

All of the grandkids--except for Rachel.

Grandparents with their grandkids.

After our very long trip we ended up back in TX.  We stayed one more day with Peggy and her family and then headed home.  After two weeks of driving, stressing, worrying, and playing this is how we spent our last two days together: on the couch watching the Olympics.