Friday, October 31, 2008

bringing us together

The Koch Family hasn't all been together in years. McKensie was able to bring all of us together to celebrate her little life. Troy and I feel so blessed that we were able to go home for her funeral. Tiffany and Brandon both spoke and did an amazing job. McKensie was laid to rest at a beautiful plot in the Salt Lake City Cemetary, overlooking the city, and just up the hill from President Hinkley!

We loved being able to spend time with the family...
here are a few shots of Braden and Coleman playing together, Grandpa Steve and Camers, and The whole family (well except McKensie).




A day up Millcreek Canyon with Nana and Papa. The weather was just amazing while we were there. Living somewhere that doesn't have fall..... Well we loved every second of the fall weather. We could just smell it in the air! It was beautiful!





A day at doughnut falls with Brandon, Tiffany and Grandma Pam. I have always realized that Braden has a lot of energy, but it was pretty funny to see Carson and Coleman catch a ride on their parents shoulders for the trip down, while Braden ran, ran, ran and lapped us a few times over. I love to see the cousins play together, they play like brothers, fight like brothers, and always have fun.








Braden and i met up with Shannon, Emily and Kids to check out the witches at Garner Village. Braden loved the candy store, the witches, and the hay. He hated the shopping, so we didn't last long. But it was great to see friends :)





I love to hit the utah zoo when we are in town, it is one of our favorite zoo's. the one in hawaii is pretty junk, so our kids love to go wild there. Both Grandma's joined us at the zoo and we had a great time.






The last time we were in town we wanted to get cousin pictures taken. It never happened and now we kick ourselves because we don't have one with McKensie. So this time we made it happen! After cousin pictures, we headed out to dinner and then to the bounce house. Everyone just went crazy at the bounce house and had a great time.









It has been years since I have been on the snowbird tram. We caught the tram with nana and papa. The kids were freezing at the top and spent most of the time in the warming hut, but the view was amazing. Braden wanted to ride the tram up and down all day. he was bummed we only got one ride. The kids never get hot chocolate here and so it was a special treat that we all loved.









Nana and Braden picked out some pumkins at farmers market. The kids had a great time carving them with nana and papa, especially since we never got around to carving ours!


and what is a trip to utah without a trip to wheeler farm. The weather was just gorgeous and we had a great time. It we lived there, i think we would go every week. The kids love it, and it is free! love that place















Enjoying the fall leaves... and some time in the hot tub!



** Somehow I managed to take pictures at every family function, but never with our friends. So I wanted to thank ally and wes for meeting up with us, shopping with Megs, Emily and Eric hosting a get together, Jennyanne and Adam hosting a get together, all the bros for many lunches and late night game playing, duck hunting... and so many others. Thanks for playing with us on such short notice. We love all of you ***

12 comments:

Tara said...

Hi Molly, What a great update! I have been thinking about you guys ever since I read the news about McKensie and I have just been hoping that you were able to make it back for funeral. I am sure that was so special for them to have everyone there. And it looks like you had a great visit. I am jealous. Oh to be in the real fall! - and with friends and family to boot. I am glad you did not post pics with Wes and Ally because that would have put me over the top! Anyway - we have been thinking and praying for you guys and Troy's whole family. I am so glad you guys were able to make it home. Love T (PS - Camers is looking so ABSOLUTLY adorable...she killing me in these pictures)

Natali Thompson said...

That looks like so much fun-you guys really packed it in. That is great that you were able to all get together, too bad it wasn't under happier circumstances! How is the family doing?

melissa said...

molly, your family is so dang cute! I'm sad that I didn't get to see you when you were in town. So many cute pictures!

West Family said...

I am sorry that the circumstances were not different for your get together with your family, but I am glad you had such a nice time. There are nothing in this world like cousins and grandparents!

Elizabeth Harrison said...

Yay - I am so glad that I remembered your blog address. We had such a great night catching up with you guys playing with your darling kids. Please keep in touch and we would love to see you again next time you are out.

brooke romney said...

So sad that you had to be there for a funeral, but that's when family really needs each other. I'm glad you were able to do so many of our Utah favorite things...we need to get up there in the fall. I sure do miss it.

Dixons said...

Sad that we missed you guys! Looks like you had a nice time with family. Love you!!!

Shannon said...

Wow- that was a packed trip for you guys. Glad we got to meet up and chat for at least a little bit!

Bree said...

i'm exhausted just looking at your pictures but it's always amazing how a loss in the family brings everyone a lot closer. we were thinking of you guys a lot that week. sorry i didn't get to see you guys but i know matt had fun seeing troy...aloha

~ Joy ~ said...

Such a wonderful collection of pictures! I love the one of you squeezed between the car seats. Oh, yea, been there. done that.
The one of ya'll walking as a family holding hands is priceless! I bet in black and white that would be amazing.
Seriously so cool to see all the Koch's together in a family picture. Too neat.
And nothing like a cool fall day to bring out the rosy in Braden and Cami's cheeks. Adorable.

Mueller Ohana said...

You have such a cute family Molls.
It's fun to see the family resemblances between your kids and their cousins. Mckensie and Camrion could be sisters. Next time your in Utah I'm coming up to visit you:)

Jessica said...

Wish I would have known you were going to visit the zoo. We have a pass and literally live right around the corner! Looks like you had a good time and that the weather agreed with your visit.