When we moved our family from Las Vegas, and relocated in Utah, Redge and I promised the kids, especially Eric Reece, that we would visit Vegas EVERY MONTH! For the first 3 years we kept our promise fairly well. However, the past two years have proven me to be a bit of a pirate- I'm cheating on my word. The kids and I love to go to Vegas as often as possible, and we looked forward to three days weekends because they (hopefully) mean, "Viva Las Vegas!!!" Last weekend was a three day weekend, and we went HOME! It was great! We had so much fun! I love Vegas in Spring. I love my family! I love the heat! I love watching my kids play with their cousins. I love visiting with my brothers and sisters, and their spouses. I love being where I feel comfortable. I love being where I can be "Lyndee", and knowing it is 100% perfectly okay and acceptable, and in even desirable to be exactly who I am!!! It's home. It's where I fit. It's where I belong.
So, I like to take pictures. I have no talent for it, but I love to do it regardless. Quincy, lovingly, refers to me as "Ansel". I took over 200 pics in Vegas. Most of them are posted here for your entertainment. Some of them are not so pretty- especially a few of me, but it's my reality, and I love it! I love every single one of these pictures. I was going to attempt to post them in chronological order, but nah- I'm far too lazy. You get them in alphabetical order as I titled them. Very random. A bit like my mind. So- enjoy them, or don't. But, I will. I'll look at this post more than probably any other because it's what I love most in the entire world- my family.
(Sadly, the Bailey's and Eric weren't in Vegas last weekend, but I'll make up for it with the pics I take at Aspen Grove in August! Just you wait!)
This is Karlee Jo, Jeff's second of four fun females. Yep, that's right. Jeff has only girls, and they are AM-A-ZA-ZING! Karlee is funny, fun, athletic (soccer is her fave), and the only blondie in her fam. I dig this girl. She's sarcastic, quick witted, and a bit lippy. You can see why I fancy her.
This is Alyssa. She's Jeff's oldest. Alyssa Lee is AWESOME! She's an artist, a scholar, an actress, and a musician. She's also very, very kind. There is nothing mean or icky about this girl. I love her!
Jenn, our baby girl, and her husband, Nate Mann, have four kids. Ethan is 6, Kate will be 4 in May, and the cutest twins ever, Wilson and Gentry, will be 2 in May. This is Wilson Edwards Mann. (Wilson and Gentry are our Grandma's maiden names.)
I love Quincy and Amorette! Crazy- isn't it?! For those of you who knew me growing up I'm sure you remember me as a bit irritating. That's the way I remember myself. But, I've grown out of a good portion of it, and Quincy actually digs me! And, I love him and his wife, Amorette Cornwall Edwards, or just "Mo." We love Mo, and we're so glad she's a part of our family!
You probably noticed that Mo looks cold in this picture. I told her, "Try some body fat. It works wonders as insulation." She's a tiny little thing. Sometimes I want to throw rocks at her, but I just can't do it! She's as nice as she is pretty! UGH!
One of my favorite things about my family is that you never know which baby or child belongs to whom! We just love, cuddle, hold, kiss, carry, and/or feed whomever is in need of something. In this picture Quincy and Mo are snuggling with Jenn's baby, Wilson. I just wish I could get Wilson to snuggle with me like that!
Here we have another picture of our beautiful, beautiful Amorette. She's holding their SIXTH child, Enoch Quincy Edwards. With Mo and Enoch is Wilson. He had the dirtiest face ever, and Mo was trying to get him to come closer to me so I could take his picture, but like most of my nieces and nephews before turning 4 years old, Wilson is DEATHLY AFRAID OF ME! I know; I'm loud, I squeeze really tight, and I'm always kissing them. I can't help it! I'm absolutely CRAZY over my parents' 25 grandkids!
A few weeks ago Jenn and Nate, along with their kids, went to San Diego where they stayed with Eric. Eric sent me several pictures of Jenn's kids playing with Uncle Eric, Felicia the Dog, etc. After receiving a closeup of Eric snuggling with Wilson, I texted to Eric, "Don't the Mann kids have the BEST EYES EVER???" Eric replied, "EVER!" Eric and I have always coveted the Edwards blue eyes, and the Ballantyne eyes that are actually located on the face, instead of the Edwards eye location of being set in the center of the skull. Jenn definitely got the best of our parents in the eyes genes. Plus side for Eric, Quincy, and me; NO ONE CAN EVER POKE US IN THE EYE- nobody has fingers long enough to reach.
This is yet another picture of Wilson Mann. I can't help myself. He's so adorable! I just love him. With Wilson is Caleb, Naomi's middle child. Caleb Edwards Cordner will be 16 in July. He's a huge history buff, loves reading, and is currently busy writing a book. He absolutely adores all his cousins, and loves having them over to hang out at his house. He is especially fond of me, and often leaves remarks on his facebook wall regarding just how much he loves me! I love Caleb!
This is my white baby, John Arthur. He prefers to be known by his middle name because it's his Grandpa Bird's name. The scab on his eyelid is the result of falling off the top bunk and landing on a picture, breaking the glass, and cutting himself. Glad his eye was shut.
These two guys are Eric Reece Hudson and Dexter Brink Edwards. Reece, in the green, is my oldest. Dexter, in white, is Quincy's oldest. These guys have been best friends since birth. They are only 4 months apart, and Reece was at the hospital just minutes after Dexter was born to meet his buddy. When the boys were little they never referred to one another by their names. They were always "Buddy." I remember several years ago receiving a phone call from Quincy. He told me, "I picked up Dexter, and asked, 'Are you my buddy?' and Dexter replied, 'No, I Buddy's Buddy.'" They're still buddies. I love that.
This is one of my favorite things. Just watching ALL my guys play ball together. I could watch this ALL DAY LONG! You'll see. I took like 4 or 5 thousand pictures of the guys playing catch, and lucky for you I've posted ALL OF THEM! In this picture you see Dex, Reece, Seth Edwards Hudson (my second) in red shorts and a sun visor, and Ike Arthur Edwards (Quincy's fourth) in black and white.
Redge and I had a pretty easy weekend. We got into Vegas on Friday afternoon. We drove straight to Quincy's house where we left Reece and Seth. Then we dropped some stuff at my parents, and took Taite and Arthur to Jenn's. Saturday morning we woke up to silence at my parents' home! Mmmmmm... sleeping in on a Saturday! Is there anything better than that? Once we were up, Redge, my mom, and I went to our old stake center on Cheyenne and Buffalo to watch Dexter and Locke (Quincy's second) play basketball. Quincy is in the ward we attended while living in Vegas, and it was great to see so many of our friends, as well as watch our nephews play ball.
After the basketball game we drove straight to Molasky Middle School to watch Tucker's football game. Quincy coaches the team. Tucker is far left, and Quincy is to the right, and wearing brown. Quincy wasn't home on Friday when we dropped off the boys, so the first time I saw him was Saturday, and the game had begun before we arrived. So, when I got to the field Quincy was already ON the field trying to coach his boys. I yelled really loudly, "Quincy!" It startled him, and his head yanked toward my voice. When I had his full attention I said, "Hi!" He shook his head, and walked away. Ahhhh... I love being a little sister!
Another of Tucker and Quincy. Tucker is far left. Quincy is far right.
Tucker Douglas Edwards (Doug is Mo's dad) is Quincy's third. I love this guy! He is so sweet and so kind! He loves to draw, and he is one crazy defender! Tucker can pull flags like no one I've ever seen before or since!
Here's Tucker with Caleb in Naomi's jacuzi. Naomi has the best house EVER! Everytime I go to Vegas Naomi hosts a party- I like to pretend I'm famous, and it's all for me, but its really because of Redge and the kids. And, every single time we go to Naomi's house there is more stuff in her yard! The swingset is new, the flag is new, and the volleyball court is new. Naomi has all the good toys!
This is Christy Joy Cordner, Naomi's baby, and only girl! She and Taite are best friends! Christy is musically and artistically talented. Luckily she rounds it all out with a TON of drama! She is very fun, and EXTREMELY entertaining!
One of my favorite pictures of the weekend- me, schooling Dexter at Tap Tap Revenge!!! Oh yeah, I won! I'm excited to take on Karlee in the Dance Dance Revolution tournament at Aspen Grove!!! White girl is going down! Down, Down, Down!!!
I love my girl, Jennifer Taite Hudson. As aforementioned, Taite spent Friday night at Jenn's. When they arrived at Naomi's Taite's hair was all adorable in two braids. But, when she changed to swim she took down her hair. Here she is trying to explain to me exactly why it is that she HAD to undo the braids to get in the pool! Doesn't she know the rules??? They're clearly posted at the Red Rock Swimming Club. "All hair extending beyond the shoulders must be restrained in a braid or pony tail." I hope she took a shower before she got in, otherwise Von Alleman is going to make her get out of the pool!
I like to take pictures of Quincy when he least expects it. I think I accomplished it here.
More of Quincy on the field. He's such a good dad. He tries really hard to involve himself as much as possible with his boys, and his girl.
See what I mean? Here he is with Mae Naomi Edwards (Quincy's fifth- and only girl). First, let me say that this seesaw is AM-A-ZA-ZING!!! It is so fun! Some of you may remember the pictures of Naomi and me on this from last March. It is totally fun! Second- do you like the way Quincy looks bugged? I don't. He always acts all bugged with me when I take pictures, but you should see the one I took of him and Tucker a couple of years ago. You know- you really should see it. I'm going to create a post for that picture- all by itself! It's really great. Quincy should be thanking me every day for the rest of his life for that little number, but no. Not Quincy. Instead he makes these faces. And, it gets worse. Just you wait. But, I'm relentless. I just keep taking pictures. Someday he'll thank me.
See how cute Quincy is with Mae? Don't you think I'm a great sister for taking these pictures? Don't you think Mae is going to love having these someday? I know she is. That's why I put up with Quincy's angry ape face.
Isn't Amorette so pretty? She really is. I just love her!
This is another one of my faves. This right here is SO Tuck! This is the entire essence of Tucker! This picture makes me smile!
This is my twin doll, I mean Seth. Seth Edwards Hudson is my second child, and I love him! The other day he told me he couldn't think of a single person, in the entire world that he doesn't like. I was amazed! I decided I don't want to just look like Seth- I want to be EXACTLY like him. He is such a kind person, and like his Grandpa Bird he LOVES animals!
Okay, I know... I took about 3.5 million pictures of the kids in the jacuzi, but they kept moving, and they were all so cute! I couldn't help myself. Here we have Seth (my twin), Mae, and Arthur.
Seth and Alyssa love each other. I think it's because they are both so very, very kind. I love this picture!
I know... more football pictures. I'm Arthur Edwards' daughter! What do you expect from me? Don't you judge me!
I love Reece. Just watching him makes me so happy!
This is quite possibly my all time favorite picture from last weekend! Watching Reece throw a perfect spiral literally brings tears to my eyes! Watching this kid on the field takes my breath away! I saw him take a few guys down last fall, and everytime my eyes rolled back in my head, and floated to complete Nirvana! Ahhhh... football season! Only four more months!
This is George "Locke" Edwards (Quincy's second) with Reece. I love watching Locke play move. He moves EXACTLY like Quincy! And, as much as he moves like my brother- he thinks like me. I totally "get" Locke. I watch him react to things, I hear him speak, and it's exactly what I would do, think, say. I am absolutely crazy over Locke. Yep. Lyndee LOVES Locke!
It is so fun to watch these kids grow up together, and start being friends. This is Naomi's volleyball court. I loved watching the kids play. It was great to see the girls hold their own with the guys!
Here's my cute husband. He was the "all time QB" during play. Locke was convinced it would take a while for them to adjust to receiving from a left handed QB.
My great husband. I dig him.
This picture might possibly shed some light on exactly why Quincy doesn't love seeing me with a camera. These are Quincy's knees. I have no idea why a 38 year old, father of 6 has dirty knees, but he did. I don't get it.
I love Mae. I love watching Quincy with her. He's so sweet. When Mae is sad or hurt she always runs to her dad. I love this little girl!
Naomi's pool is so pretty. I love going to her place just to relax. Mark and Naomi are the best hosts ever! They are so calm and relaxed. They're so easy, and so kind.
This may be how Quincy got his knees so dirty. Dirty or not I know they're going to hurt tomorrow!
This is Jenn's husband, Nathan Daniel Mann. I like Nate. He cooks. He cooks a lot, and it's always good stuff! I hear he and his dad make amazing bbq ribs, but since I don't like bbq flavor or ribs I can't tell you for sure.
Nate is great! Despite the fact that he has 4 kids, and is in medical school he always finds time to grill for us at family parties. I'm also happy to say he is allergic to EVERYTHING! I inherited a couple of fantastic down comforters when Jenn married Nate. Sorry about the feathers, Guys.
Nate is a really cute dad. He really knows how to play with his kids- even the girls! I rarely see Nate without one of his kids, and at those times he's usually holding a spatula. Well done, Baby Sister. You chose well for yourself!
I LOVE my sisters and nieces! It's so fun to hang out with these people! I really like them! I would definitely choose them as friends if I wasn't lucky enough to have them as relatives!
Check out Jeff! Jeffrey Bird Edwards, the oldest of my parents' seven kids, is so thin! Doesn't he look fantastic?! This guy rides his bike EVERY DAY for like millions of miles!!! I'm so glad Jeff was able to join us. Jeff is a CPA, and it is the middle of tax season. Generally we don't see much of Jeff between January and April 16th, but he found some time to come play, and it means so much to me that he would do that for us!
We ran into Danielle Domanico Knecht at the football game. She has the cutest kids! It was so fun to catch up with her!
This is my mom, Martha Joyce Ballantyne Edwards, and my sister, Naomi, in Naomi's kitchen.
Another of my beautiful Mo.
Mean Redge!!! Quincy was clowning me, and Redge turned to laugh at me. They ALWAYS pick on me!
This is Maverick. Dogs should lay like this. I don't get it.
This is my favorite picture of Mae. She told Mo, when getting ready that morning, "I'm wearing these clothes because it's an outfit, and Aunt Lynt LOVES outfits. She'll think I look so cute in this!" She's right. On all counts.
I love this picture because I'm wearing Dexter's PE shirt, and Dex is wearing Reece's football team t-shirt. Dex and Reece always order extra t-shirts for one another for ALL their teams. Reece loves sporting his Centennial Bulldogs Football t-shirt. I snagged the PE shirt out of Reece's drawer, and I LOVE wearing it! Especially because it says "EDWARDS" across the back. Thanks, Dex! You're never getting it back. You're totally too big for it! It's mine now!
Every time we go to Vegas one of Quincy's kids has stitches or a cast. This time it was Locke.
Lyndee Loves Locke!
This is Luke, Danielle Domanico Knecht's baby. He HAS to wear flags during EVERY single game! Isn't he so cute?!
Locke, Quincy, Enoch, and Mo
I LOVE FRECKLES!!! I'm crazy over them! I love this picture of Locke because it shows his freckles! I wish I had freckles. Jan Brady was so wrong!
Okay- I know I've gone a bit overboard with the jacuzi pictures, but I couldn't choose. Some kids look really cute in some of the pictures, and other kids in other pictures. I couldn't decide. I posted all of them. Get over it.
This cute thing is Makenzie Noel Edwards, Jeff's third. She is so entertaining! She and Taite have grown out of some of the mischievous ways- and we are so grateful! I love Makenzie because this girl knows what she wants, and nothing stands in her way (Hmmmm... who does this sound like? Are you seeing why I like her so much?) On this day Kenzie was exceptionally frustrated with her mom because Kenzie had been sick, but Jeff and Marci still wanted to get together with the family so they brought the kids over to Gnomey's. However, Kenzie was not allowed to get in the pool. Not a happy girl!
This is Kate Mann, Jenn's second. She is so funny! Her hair is naturally curly, and she has the deepest dimples. She also has a strong personality. She wasn't supposed to get wet. But, she did. Because she wanted to.
I love catching Karlee when she's bugged.
I didn't get many pictures of Marci Jo Parker Edwards, Jeff's wife, but I TOTALLY dig Marci! She is SO FUN! This girl knows how to have a good time! She has a great laugh, and is always up for an adventure. She also does a great job of planning family reunions. I don't know what I'd do without Marci. I know life wouldn't be nearly as fun!
I love this picture because Jeffrey Bird Edwards, my oldest brother is teasing my girl, Taite. This is so Jeff. I love him for the way he plays. He is so much fun! My kids love Uncle Jeff! The boys love him because he always says, "Hey, Tiger!"
This is Seth with Ike Arthur Edwards, Quincy's fourth. Ike is so cool! He is so kind, and has the sweetest voice! I love talking to Ike on the phone! He always tells me how much he loves me, misses me, and begs me to visit him. He is so sincere, and like his dad- a total athlete. I love watching him play anything!
My mom loves her grandkids! Its so fun to see her with them. This is my mom with Wilson.
And my mom with Enoch.
Aunt Gnomey (Naomi Edwards Cordner) is EVERYONE'S FAVORITE AUNT!!! She is so much fun! She never gets angry, she includes everyone, she doesn't say "NO!", she plays with the kids, she always has fun craft stuff to do, and she ALWAYS has IBC Root Beer and good snacks!!! (She even makes me chocolate chip cookies WITHOUT earth!)
This sweet girl is Gentry Lynt Mann, Jenn's baby. She doesn't love me so much- yet.
Taite loves tormenting Ike, and Ike totally goes along with it.
This handsome redhead is Ethan Daniel Mann, Jenn's oldest. He is amazing! He's a smarty pants, an athlete, and a huge helper to his mom. He loves being outside! He and Arthur are best buds!
Enoch is so funny! He is trying so hard to figure out how to crawl, but it's just not clicking! However, he can do like infinity push-ups, and not the girlie kind!
Enoch is the cutest chubby baby ever! I love him!
Enoch was totally guzzling this water! He is so cute! I love him! I love his chub!
I was trying really hard to get a cute picture of Enoch laying on the floor, but my mean big brother wouldn't move his feet. He's so obnoxious!
From what I've HEARD, Mo makes like the best chocolate chip cookies ever. I wouldn't know. I've never tried them. For one reason. Mo is mean. She puts oatmeal in them. I don't like oatmeal. It tastes like earth. See this HUGE, overflowing tupperware full of cookies? All ruined. All contain earth. Thanks, Mojo.
Jeff tried to throw Reece in the pool, but somehow Reece got away. This is a picture of the kids staring in amazement and saying, "Did you see that??? Reece got away from Uncle Jeff!"
I have no idea who this guy is. I'm not sure how to spell or pronounce his name. But, he knows my nephews. He walked right up to Quincy's boys, and said hello, spoke to them by name (and used the correct names!), and shook each of their hands. He got to Ike last, and said, "Hey, Ike, how's it going?" I walked up to him, put out my hand, and said, "I'm Ike's Aunt." He introduced himself. He was very nice, and really kind to my guys. I think his name is "Cralen." Maybe. Maybe not.
This is so Christy Joy!!! She posed, and asked me to take this picture!
Yep, Caleb is actually holding Seth upside down. Caleb is crazy strong!
I love this picture! Caleb loves all the little kids so much!
The kids were hanging out in the jacuzi, and the brave ones were jumping into the FREEZING POOL! Yikes!
I love seeing these kids hanging out together. Aren't the mountains so beautiful?! I really miss the Las Vegas Valley- I love the Las Vegas mountains.
Christy Joy and Taite are "Best Friends AND Best Cousins!"
I love Mo!
Okay- I know this picture is a bit blurry, but isn't it so cool that I caught it mid flight?! I know- huh!!!
Yep- definitely my child. You can tell by the Hudson Outy Belly Button. Reece is the only one of my four who got the Edwards Inny. I'm so sure Redge and the kids are all totally excited that I've posted this interesting bit of information about them and their belly buttons.
Aunt Jenn did Arthur's this day. Doesn't he look fantastic?
Arianna Bird Edwards is Jeff's baby. She is so beautiful! She has the longest eyelashes ever- and a personality to match it! This girl surprises me every time I see her! She definitely looks the most like Marci, but her wit she inherited from both parents!
I love Alyssa! She was our first girl baby. We had Josh, Caleb, Reece, Dexter, Luke, and Alyssa. We loved our girl baby!
This is the final picture. Can you tell what Quincy is saying to me? In case you can't... "Lynt! Can you stop? Haven't you taken enough pictures?" My answer, "Yep- now I have. For this weekend. But, I'll be back April 8th. With my camera."
