Meet the Newtons: Boise Open House

 Per my usual, the photos are posting out of order. 

Aaron and I flew to Boise on Friday night to attend Reese and Logan’s open house in Kuna.  We don’t think we’ve been back to Boise since moving away when Reese was a newborn baby. It was cool to be back, even if only for less than 48 hours. We flew out Friday night, and came home Sunday morning. Reese and Logan drove Logan’s car up and Ryan caravanned in Nana (the van), bringing up a bunch of their gear to store in Kuna for the summer. They arrived just in time for Ryan to pick us up from the airport, and ironically, when we left, he dropped us off and drove home, passing the airport right as we landed. 

We really liked getting to meet all of Logan’s aunts and uncles. His parents both come from very large families. As I talked to each of nine siblings on one side, they spoke so highly of Logan and his parents, especially his father, but I felt an overwhelmed of gratitude for the good example of righteous parents. In fact, one of the sisters of logan’s mom saw me out to tell me that she knows “Logan will dedicate his life to caring for Reese and providing for his family because he was raised by a really good man who has done exactly that for my sister. The potential for greatness is his birthright.” I thought that was a really beautiful thing for a sister in law to say. It brings my mother heart extra peace to hear that my very special girl is married to another very special person. 

After the open house, we brought back all the tablecloths, little photo frames, and pink sashes in a suitcase of my mom’s that Reese has had in Utah. Everyone doubted my plan here, but the satisfaction of that suitcase weighing precisely 50 pounds at check in was sensational. 

We did not and could never recreate the amazing dance party that was the actual wedding reception. That was a magical time. But we did dance around and sing along at the top of our lungs during the open house clean up. I love that spontaneous karaoke-like song belting and dancing are part of the family culture Aaron and I created, and I’m so happy for Reese that she married into a family that loves this kind of energy as well. Logan loves to dance and can show all of us up on the floor with his sick moves. 

After party clean up, there was one thing on the agenda. One last round of gym hoops for Logan, and Ryan. They’ve had a few pickup games at Mark and Melinda’s over the past few weeks, but needed to ball hard one last time before Logan is in Arkansas for the summer. 

All the babies find Reese for snuggles. I love seeing how much they love her. 

Amy ordered the CUTEST cupcake boquete from Walmart for the table centerpieces and put out a beautiful charcuterie spread for the reception. So so pretty.  

Reese and I kicked back with babies and folded tablecloths and watched our boys play ball. Aaron’s dress shoes send me 💀

This girl. She is so beautiful inside and out. I am so proud of the woman she has grown up to be. Mothering her has been a great joy. 

Life of the party. Logan and I stopped all clean up efforts temporarily to tear up the floor with the soulja boy dance. Reese, Ryan, and Logan’s sisters Jodee and Brandilyn joined us as well. 

Reese is now an auntie to 8 children, with brand new baby Everett making a grand entrance 2 weeks ago. Reese and Logan are making their trek to Arkansas this week and stopped in Rexburg to meet their newest nephew. 

This kid. We had a generational run of good times this weekend. He and Aaron kept the NBA playoffs streaming and we had two unforgettable in n out runs, a stop for Cheesecake Factory dessert takeout, and a very iffy cafe rio lunch with some jokes that will remain in the Willardson family lore forever. 

On Saturday morning, Aaron and I went to visit old college roommates Keith and Arianne, who live in Boise, just one block over from where we lived with Rob and Lynda when Reese was born. Keith opened the door and hollered out to the neighborhood, “hey everybody, the Willardsons are back in the Legends! They’re back!” And teased Aaron about saving him a a spot on the HOA board. Keith is so funny, we were all in stitches for an hour. 

Then we met Reese and Logan at Amy and Brandon’s home in kuna and watched the newlyweds open all the gifts that been arriving via Amazon registry. All of the family was there and it was an amazing chaos of kids running around, a visit from grandma who accidentally called the police over, a basketball game on the tv, and hilarious commentary from our favorite curmudgeon Paul. Aaron Ryan and I had a bingo card and our game made the day even funnier. 

Men on box breakdown duty. I gave Logan a haircut with Reese’s clippers at his parents house, and gave Ryan a fresh fade late late Saturday night in the hotel lobby hallway. The clippers in the hallway caused the lobby lights to dim every time I turned them on. Maybe because it was midnight, but it was hilarious and the front desk lady cracked up with us. Then we got a face time from Corbin with a play by play download from prom night, and his takes of mistakenly getting locked out of the house and having to break into grandmas to sleep. He had us rolling with his stories. 

Good times. 

Photos out of order. We did a drive by of Rob and Lynda’s house on Maidstone way.  

After our trip to New England a few years ago, Aaron will NOT be outsnacked on a trip ever again. 

Mount Timpanogos

The sweetest couple, and one of Logan’s aunties in the background. Logan is 1/8 Chinese, and you can really see his heritage in his aunts and uncles. Ryan quickly informed Logan that he is the dominant adopted Chinese brother in this family. “So sorry, the position has been filled.” 😂 

What a great weekend. Lots of late night games and laughter and snoring and more laughter. There was an abundance of love for this sweet couple. The final open house/arkansas celebration is next week. Can’t wait!