My trip to Utah

During the last weekend in June, I went out to Utah to visit my family. It had been 2 and a half years exactly since Larry, James, and I had last been out there to see them. I came out with baby Johnathan while Larry and James stayed in VA with the Foxes. The paramount reason I made this trip was to support my brother Joshua and his wife Kristen in the baby blessing of their daughter Eliza. In addition, I had the chance to see all of my brothers, their spouses, children, my aunts, and my grandma, and they had the chance to see Johnathan, who was just 4 weeks old!

Here are some of the pictures from this one-of-a-kind trip!

I stayed with my brother Joseph, his wife Martha, my two nieces Maggie and Janie, and my new baby nephew, Jack. They are such an amazing family, and I am so grateful to them for their hospitality and generosity!

Here is Johnathan and Jack - twin cousins born on May 27, 2010, both weighing 8 lbs. 7 oz. They are still about the same weight and length, even at 4 weeks! Which one is "Johnny-cakes" and which one is "Jack Jack?" They may be twins, but they don't look anything alike!

My Aunt Julie and Aunt Susie came over to visit us at Joseph and Martha's house, that first evening. They each had a baby to hold, much to Martha's and my relief! That is, until Johnathan or Jack got hungry!

On Saturday, June 26th, my brother Joseph and his daughter Maggie drove me to Vernal. We met up with my aunts and sister at the Vernal City Park where there was a softball tournament fundraiser event being held to benefit Josh's family plus two other families in need.

Here is my niece Maggie holding Johnathan. She is almost 5 years old, and she became my little buddy the whole weekend! I learned that she loves the Disney Princesses, dolls, Barbies, reading, tracing, Sunny Delight, dancing, her baby brother Jack, her sister Janie, and her parents, of course! She also loves her Vernal cousins- Kimball, McKay, Benson, and Eliza. I love you and miss you, Maggie!

Here is my oldest nephew, Kimball holding Johnathan. Kimball was also born in May, and he is Josh and Kristen's oldest son. I enjoyed watching him and his brothers jump on their trampoline and play with their Transformers. Kimball is very good at transforming Optimus Prime! Uncle Larry can't wait to play Transformers with you and your brothers, one day soon, Kimball!

Here is my sister-in-law Tamera next to our nephews McKay holding Eliza and Benson holding Johnathan. The boys were extremely loving and gentle with the babies! You trained them well, Kristen! Tamera was so sweet to help out with the babies, too. Thanks, Tamera! You're going to be an awesome mom, one day soon!

Here is a 4 generation picture with my Grandma Baumgarten, my dad, myself, and Johnathan.

Saturday afternoon, we had family pictures taken. Afterwards, for fun, I asked my 4 brothers to participate in a "Baumgarten brother" family tradition that dates back 2 generations before theirs. Our Grandpa Jack Baumgarten and his 3 brothers (Ed, Jim, and David) used to clown around a lot whenever they got together, especially as they grew up and would get together for reunions and such. My Grandma Baumgarten has a few pictures of them posing just like my brothers are doing here in this one. Each brother stands for one of the following moral virtues: "See no evil." "Hear no evil." "Speak no evil." and "Do no evil." I think I was able to convince my brothers to get as goofy as they could get.

That evening, we all went out to Mexican. Here is my brother Joshua holding Johnathan for me so I could eat. Thanks, Joshua!

Here is the Princess Eliza with Johnathan, the morning that I was to leave back home for VA. Those two look so peaceful. I think they have a slight resemblance to each other. Maybe??!! Goodness, not even James looks like Johnathan!

Here we are posing one last time before I have to leave. Josh and Kristen with Eliza, along with Johnathan and I. I truly loved having the chance to visit with Kristen (and you, too, Joshua.) Kristen, you are truly an amazing woman. How lucky is Joshua to have you as his wife and your children are to have you as their mother. Hopefully, Larry, James, Johnathan, and I can all come back to Vernal very soon and get to spend some time with you all. I love you!