Halloween

There has been a serious setback in my picture taking abilities! I left my battery charger in Arizona. Sad day. So, I don't have everyone's Halloween pictures. But the ones we have are fun, so here goes:
The Pratt family
Tom & Kristy family
Grandma & Gracie at her Halloween party
John & Laura's family
 The Jackson 5
Trav & Allison family

 Lots of fun costumes! Unfortunately we don't have Jer & Liz family or Reed & Allyson's. They came to our party, but those with the camera had already left. So, next year!

Baptisms

We had two special baptisms this fall. The end of September was Logan's turn. He was baptized and confirmed by his dad. It was a very special day for a very special young man.


Then we were privileged to go to Yuma to witness Tyler's baptism. He was so excited to be baptized. He also was baptized and confirmed by his dad. It too was a very special day for another very special young man.

We are so thankful for these two boys and for their 4 other cousins (sibling) that all chose to get baptized this year.

Day 3

The last day of our reunion was spent here at our home. Kim got everything ready for family pictures, baby blessing and a dinner. Whew! Lots of work, but everything worked out. So, pictures are major! They are just great to have though. I look at these pictures and can remember the grumbling, murmuring, the jokes and jabs (especially from the rocks), but oh, what good times. Here is the best of my best
The boys--handsome little guys!

Our cute girlsReed and Allyson familyTom and Kristy familyChristie and Darren familyTrav & Allison family
Jer and Liz familyJohn & Laura family  Kim was so busy taking everyone else's, she didn't have time to get their own family. I am waiting for her to send one to me so I will be complete here. The ones she took of everyone are better than the ones I took, but it is fun to see different ones sometimes.
After a beautiful baby blessing given by Daniel, and a yummy dinner, we had the talent show. Here are some highlights

Nicole drew a beautiful picture followed by Joshy's card tricks

Sydney showed us a story she had written and illustrated

 Gracie showed us her ballet moves. She was helped by Charli and Alyssa

Izzie did a dance that Lucy helped her with

Averie told jokes

followed by Addie

JD did the Pledge of Allegiance

Colton told us about his latest project 

Then our little Olive did her danceShe was followed by our pianistsJenna LouIsaac T,and Taylor Rae. Our talent shows big finale was Justyn. WOW!It was a great night. (Sorry I am missing pictures of some of the talents and hope that if any of you have some, you will send them on and I will do a postscript to this post. ) So, our reunion now is just a great memory. Thanks to all for the meals, sacrifice of time and means and the willingness to actively participate and for the love you all show to each other and each other's children. What great role models they all have. After all, it takes a village to raise a child!

Reunion, Day 2

We were pretty happy to find out that Mutual Dell had openings for us to spend our 2nd day. And when we got there they offered the downstairs of the lodge, so that made it even better for us to have inside and outside facilities. After our yummy lunch by Trav and Allison, we made our way to the zip line. The director was so good to us and most everyone that wanted to go, went.
Here is Isaac!
Joshy's turn
Gracie gearing up
Christie and JD
James headed up
And down
Alyssa's turn
Taylor and her dad
After our adventure there, grandpa made "swords" for the boys


and Kristy did crafts for the girls.
The rest of the women set about to do crocheted hats made out of grocery bags for the girls to decorate.
We had lots of fun visiting and catching up, but the hats didn't get done. I had way underestimated the time on that project.
After hikes,
crafts, napping, tending the babies
water balloon throwing,
and an Easter egg hunt from grandma's Easter candy that we didn't get to do because of the pain in the back,
we had tin foil dinners. After that we had Smores!
Taylor loved it all gooey
Then we had to clean up--cute clean up crew:

Before we left for the night, Lucy wanted to do her talent for us because she thought the stage there was very cool, so we trekked up to that and watched as Lucy went to town.
 Very nice. And her most appreciative audience member

Day 2 ended with no serious injuries, thank goodness and once again we were well fed, tired and happy campers.