the fam

a few months ago i moved to slc to spend some time with my family. after being away for 6 years i missed a few birthday parties, family bbq's, and family time. this last week was filled with everything that i missed; we had 2 birthdays, my dad retired from work, a did a little babysitting (or maybe tending, my cousins, they aren't babies anymore), and visited my grandpa in the hospital. it was nice to be around.

my mom, sisters, and neices.







the week started out with Hannah's birthday. she turned 1. she is a very intense little girl, i was around when she learned how to walk about a month ago- she could get a little frustrated.









next came mom's birthday. i won't say how old she is. clara has been a great help to every birthday-ee, in blowing out the candles.







the family was invited to a retirement party at my dad's work. it was fun to see my dad the way others saw him. he has been at the same company since he graduated from college (impressive. i'll be amazed if i can stay at the same job for 5 yrs.). we saw the projects that he has been a part of and finally put faces to the names we've heard over the years. but don't ask me what he did, i'm still not sure.
this is a picture of my dad with Swoop (the University of Utah mascot), who showed up at the party. my dad loves the U.


we had our own retirement party for my dad in my parent's backyard- it was a fish fry! this is dallin, manning the fryer.










and ali cutting the chocolate mint brownies. these are like crack cocaine. i could not stop eating them. mmmm!











grandma and grandpa zobell and cyndy and mike








perry, dad, grandma, kay, and bry




















just playing. summer is on it's way (finally!)


my grandpa didn't have such a great time at the party. he fell off our steps and landed on his hip. he is very stoic and did not complain about any pain. what a great place to fall surrounded by a family of nurses and a recent medical school grad. he wasn't able to walk- so we sent him off in an ambulance. he broke his femur and had surgery a few days later to repair the fracture. he is doing great and is learning how to get around without putting weight on his left leg.