Family Reunion

Early in June we went up to Utah for a family reunion for my dad's family.  Our kids ALL did so well in the car, we could barely believe it!  Little Camille did so well taking a bottle in her car seat and somehow the timing always worked out that we'd stop somewhere just as she was finishing her feeding and then she'd get out to have a burp, a stretch, a diaper change and then back into the car.  I loved the ages of our boys on this trip.  I loved glancing in the rear view mirror and seeing them staring out their windows, taking in the world around them or  busily involved in stringing animal shapes or looking at books.  They did so well at keeping themselves occupied.  And Keith did so well at taking care of them all while I drove the whole way there and back.  That's how we do it.  He's so much better at parenting in a car than I am.  And he doesn't get car sick so he can read and do things that I can't.

We stopped at the Dam at Lake Powell for a quick look.

 Brett thought this water fountain was so cool and asked to have his picture taken in front of it.

 True Brett and Grant fashion here.

 Cheese!

 We couldn't resist running on the lawn by the parking lot and climbing on this awesome tree.

 We made it up to Utah in one day and spent the night with Keith's sister and her family.  I wish I got a picture of all of us together.  Our visit with them was so short, but it was great to see them.

The next day we headed out to the family reunion.  We were greeted by lots of cattle.

 After unloading the van and setting up shop in our room, we went to take a look at the pond and it's jumping fish.

  Keith took the boys for a spin in the boat.

  I set up this obstacle course for the kids.  One of Keith's awesome sisters had put this together and so I simply borrowed it and set it up.  The kids loved it!  I picked up some "gold medals" at Hobby Lobby and they each got one after they completed the course.

We got to meet our new niece Abby.  Camille and Abby had lots of fun playing next to each other on the floor.

  Abby's cheeks are out-of-this-world!  I couldn't get enough of them!

 Me and my girl

 Camille with my mom

  We enjoyed the sights along the road to the lodge.

Keith and Grant did a little canoeing

 My bro

 A nephew and bro-in-law

 My bro kissing his lovely wife.  I love the look on my nieces face!

 Grant getting ready to throw a rock into the pond

 View of the lodge

 Each night we gathered around for a short talent show and other fun things.

 My mom and sister hosted a water color activity.  It was a hit.

We divided up the lunch and dinner assignments amongst the families.  My brother's family and our's were in charge of Saturday's lunch.  We made hot ham party sandwiches, salad, watermelon, and chips.  It was quick and easy to make and quick and easy to clean up.  Just the way we like it!

 My brother built a rocket out of pop cans and water bottles.  We all watched anxiously from the lodge balcony as this rocket was shot way high in the air.

Grant thought it was so fun to drive with Keith around the lodge property.

Little Camille taking a snooze while we climbed the rock wall.

 Brett would fall asleep each afternoon just before dinner time.  The boys had so much fun and really wore themselves out each day.

 Cousins laughing over something on the iPad.

 My grandparents.  They are the one's that brought us all together to spend these 4 days of fun with each other. Can you believe that they are both coming up on their 90th birthday's?  I hope I'm doing as well as them when I'm that old!

  My sister's hubby is an amazing baker and he made this gorgeous (and delicious) cake to celebrate all of the June birthdays.

  Brett blending into his chair

 My brother with funny faces for Camille.

One of my aunt's is really good at crocheting and that sort of thing and she was busy crocheting little snakes, sharks, fish, octopus, and other things for all the kids.  They all waited patiently at her side while she whipped up these little treasures. 

And that's where the pictures end, but we did so much more.  One of my uncles had his great camera there and he took so many wonderful pictures of everything.  And we'll all get a copy!  It was so nice to know that he was there with his camera so I didn't feel the need to lug my camera around with me all the time.  And then I was actually in more of the pictures too!  That's always a challenge with being the usual picture taker in the family.

Things I don't have pictured: swimming, my grandma teaching us all a couple dances, our minute-to-win-it game that Keith and I put on, a fun historical treasure hunt that my parents did, a bon fire one night, lots of chatting and baby holding and late nights and yummy food.

You know, we only had one family reunion with my dad's family when I was growing up.  I think I was ten at the time.  We all kept saying how we needed to have one, and now we've had two in the past two years.  And there's another planned for two years from now.  I just love it.