A Lot of Family, A Lot of Fun, and a Lot of Pictures!

 We are somewhere in Washington having a marvelous Family Reunion.  I think we have around 100 people here, and the good times are rolling!

Pictures were on Monday.  Each family unit wore matching shirts. We were part of the blue group!

 Rylee and Camden were so funny as we waited for our turn for pictures.

Here we are! I especially love Rylee's little folded hands.

Great Grandma with all her great grandees.  Fine, this was them trying to get situated.  I didn't get the group shot.  Sorry. G.G. has about 75 great grandchildren right now (not all here), and there are 4 pregnant ladies here at the reunion.  (3 of them are my sisters/sis in laws.) Yes, we are prolific.

 

Here we all are!  Great Grandma in the middle, all 5 of her children plus the grandchildren (I'm a grandkid) and the great-grandchildren.  Best part.... all the great grandees are around the same age- mostly under 12!

The kids have enjoyed the playground here and have run amok most days.

Joshua in his favorite position.

 Between roaming the mountainside, the little ones did occasionally slow down for a movie.

How many men does it take to change cylinders in my van?!  I have the best family.  I arrived with a van needing some work, and by Tuesday morning, I had a van that worked properly.  I am so blessed!

This is the road I ran on this week.  Not too steep, not too high, just right! And pretty.  

We drove up to do a lovely hike on Tuesday.  I loved this sign.

Delaney and Rylee trying to pose for me.

It was an awesome hike.  It was short, but challenging.  So the big kids were happy, I was happy, and the little girls were happy.  Win all around!

I know, the scary sign said to stay on the path, and here the kids are, climbing the big mountain.

Joshua wanted his victory shot.

And because Joshua posed on the mountain, Rylee just had to have a picture too.

 Oh, did I mention there was an amazing suspension bridge?!!

Joshua and Marian thought it was great fun to make it swing.

Callie said it wasn't that scary.  It was a lot of fun, the hike was fabulous, and everyone had a good time.

There were some great kid activities too.  Heidi made bubbles and the kids had a very good time making a mess and blowing bubbles.

A huge thanks to Chris and Jenn for bringing their bikes.  Marian had SO much fun zooming around.

My sister, my sister in law, and my mom.  I love these ladies!

Rylee and Steven enjoyed playing with the kitty.

Callie went a little "Lord of the Flies" with her girl pack.

Oh, and the food.  Mmmmmm. Delaney was pleased we had ice cream bars, but really, everything was good.We did all our own food and my amazing cousins planned, prepped, and ensured tasty meals for the whole reunion.  A lot of work, and I do not know how they did it. See, they even planned out ice cream bars! Yum.

 Sue and Steve played their Alp Horns at the Talent Night. I do love the sound of Alp Horns and they play beautifully.

Then they let the kids give it a try.  The kids did not sound beautiful, but they sure enjoyed the opportunity to try.

Delaney is trying out the practice hose, while Callie is trying to blow the horn.

We are having a really good time  and it seems to have my dad all tuckered out!

The Crazy that is Life right now!

So.... let us sum up our summer so far.  We drove to Arkansas and spent a few weeks with my folks, and it was loads of fun.  We then drove to OK on Monday and spent a day with my sister Miranda before moving on.  The kids and I drove on to Kansas on Wednesday for a night and Thursday night was Colorado, and then we made it to Cedar City and hung out with the in-laws for about a week.  The kids were awesome for all this, by the way!

On Thursday July 11, we drove up to Salt Lake City.  Dan flew in that afternoon and we were finally reunited as a family after 2 months apart.  And the Hallelujah chorus rang. Callie was baptized Thursday night and it was lovely.  On Friday we drove to Idaho and Saturday afternoon we were in Portland.  Crazy stuff, my friends, crazy stuff!

We went to church with Adam and his family on Sunday, and after lunch we drove up to Washington to meet everyone for my family reunion.  It has been crazy fun!

Callie's sweet photo session for her baptism.  Didn't Star do an awesome job with the pictures?!!

Yeah, she's feeling a tad self conscious, and she doesn't like her picture being taken.

The only picture of the baptism.  Oops.  

Loved having Dan around to read bedtime stories to the girls.

Rylee, wrapped like a burrito and content.

The kids love staying in hotels.  They are weird like that.

 The Snake River.  We had to stop and get pictures.

I just wanted to be sure you knew I was there!

 (It is so dry here, my hair is straight!!)

We stopped by the Twin Falls Temple for photos and to meet up with old friends.  Sadly, we did not get pictures with our friends!

 See, all the kids at the Temple.

I love it when they pose for me!

Very scenic rest stop on the way to Portland.  We followed this river a long way.

Hanging out at Uncle Adam's.  So sweet that Joshua is reading to Denali!

Rylee loved their toys.

Roasting Marshmallows

The in-laws set up the fire pit so the kids could make smores.  It was a big hit! I'd love to give commentary, but I'm going to spare you.  So, you just get pictures, because I need them for the scrapbook.   Enjoy them enjoying themselves!

Cedar Breaks

 On Wednesday, we drove up to Cedar Breaks.  I had never heard of it, but when I googled it, I was impressed.  So off we went. It was a long and lovely drive through the mountains, and one of those times I wished Dan was there and driving so I could just hang my head out the window and look at the magnificent view.

It was lovely when we got there.  Check it out... elevation 10,360 feet.

 Yeah, the pictures totally do not do it justice.

 I'm so impressed!

Our group photo and my  eyes are closed.  I'm sad we didn't get Star in the picture, because she was taking it!

Someone was really really cross that we went to Cedar Breaks rather than to the park.

Rylee thought it was impressive.

Ooooh, so pretty!

Joshua actually let me take a picture and I got it before he made a silly face.

Marian and her new BFF, cousin Emily!

 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

And then we went to the park.  Callie had wanted to go sooooo badly, so we went.

This was about the only shade.  If you look closely, you might see Marian in the tree.

Rylee was hot, but she was still excited to play for a bit.

Then the drinking fountain became the favorite bit of equipment to play with.  Did I mention it was 1pm and hot-hot-hot?!

So cute seeing Callie help Rylee.  I love it when my girls are sweet to each other.

And then they were done.  It was just too hot.