Reunion 2011, part 1

I tried to choose only a few pictures to put on but couldn't, (you know me!) so decided to do this in two parts--so my blog account doesn't cancel me. 
We had a great reunion even if it was only here in Utah. Oh the woes of that! But as reunions go, the best part is reconnecting with family and visiting and eating and playing and we did that in abundance.


So, everyone was able to arrive by Thursday so that evening we met in the park and Kristy and Liz did a great meal of Chicken Elizabeth and all the trimmings. It was delicious!
The little ones enjoyed the swings and slides and the open field to run

And, the big ones enjoyed basketball and football

 The next morning was our service project and Brendan's eagle project combined. We met at another park and since grandpa had cut out a bunch of wood cars, everyone got to sand
and sand
and sand!   Then came the part everyone was waiting for and that was to paint them.  What fun we had!


Zach got creative and made his purple--not sure the church will accept that color, but it did look pretty cool. That was part one and the next part was putting together hygiene kits. (If anyone still wants to donate--contact Allyson or Bren)

Allyson had everything organized and ready to go so we had an assembly line going. It didn't take very long and then... we again ate--always so much good food at reunions--Reed and Allyson brought a great meal of barbecue sandwiches with all the extras. This picture of Trey has become a tradition now--he always eats the same lunch.

The little ones had fun playing at the park and as always, the babies were loved by everyone.

 

Here Joshy J-dog gets to meet Joshy!

The next part of our day was spent at the pool, cooling down from the heat of the day.

After the pool we ate dinner at the park, thanks to Christie and Darren and John and Laura. We had yummy sandwiches, salads and desserts. We had fun visiting and playing

The 3 oldest girls had fun in their cage--until the boys attacked them
Our three youngest grandsons

Little Max is less than a week old! It was a fun day and so glad we got to help Brendan with his eagle project and help those who have so very little. We were all tired and slept good that night--well except the cousins who had sleep overs, but that is what memories are made of. More to come.

It's a Parade!

We got to go to the Lehi Parade on Saturday and see what might be Justyn's last Lehi Pioneer days parade before he graduates. It is an extra bonus though because Brendan is also in the parade.
Reed and Allyson had saved everyone a spot and even brought donuts and muffins and drinks for us. That was quite a hit.
The kids were all anxiously awaiting for the candy throwers from several of the parade entry's. They got quite a stash.
The creative hats: 


Because Justyn was the only French horn player for the marching band (his first love is the trumpet, but he is multi-talented), he was on a row by himself behind the trumpets and just ahead of the woodwind section. So, we finally were able to find him.

We didn't ever see Brendan--he said he was on the row ahead of Justyn on the far side. His parents, both sets of grandparents, siblings, cousins and Christie and Darren were all trying to find him--so sad we missed him. He plays the mellaphone. It turned out to be a hot day again and they were in full uniform which they got out of as soon as they can--but here are the weary marchers.
So Bravo to them!

Beautiful 30th

Our 30th grandchild and 17th grandson decided he wasn't going to wait to make his appearance and came almost 4 weeks early on June 20th. But, he was a good size, and is a good eater and is healthy and perfect in every way--and his mom is very glad not to be pregnant anymore. So hurray!
Just like his sister, he came fast, which is great if you don't have an epidural. John said Laura did great. Uncle Jim was on call--convenient--and was at the hospital already when they got there just before 1:00 AM. Little Max Charles was born at 2:14 AM and weighed 6lbs 13oz. He is adorable already



Little Olive took an instant liking to him and is very good at saying Ba-by. They have such a great family

Here he is at 6 days old finally getting to meet grandpa.
We had such fun being at their home. Olive was our entertainment.
We are so thankful everything went so well  for Laura and little Max and for the many hands that helped out caring for Olive. She loved playing with her cousins and is kind of in withdrawal now without all the new play things and attention she was getting. She even wanted to go with us when we left last night. We were so happy! We took her off to Walmart with us and it was so fun. We just wish we didn't live quite so far away.
Congratulations John and Laura! He is adorable!

It is great to be 8!

Our sweet Nicole was baptized just 2 days after her 8th birthday and what a special day it was. The weather was perfect and all of our Utah families were able to make it. She looked so pretty in her beautiful dress.
 
Sisters!
 
She got to have her big brother baptize her. (We hope it is his first baptism of many.)
What a great family

 Nicole is such a sweetheart. She is always so happy and hates to see anyone unhappy. She really is a tender heart. She is so excited whenever she sees us and will always give us big hugs. We really enjoy her and are proud of her for her decision to be baptized and for her desire to always do what is right. We love her very much! 

Celebrations

Happy  April, May and June birthdays to our family members who turned a year older. We have been a little slack in celebrating this year--if I keep this up, it will next year already.
Jer, who wouldn't pose for a picture until Big D held him hostage, had a great day with  his work and repairs to the yard and garden. It is great to be an adult!
Dad and JD celebrated their day together. JD is still registering that he and his "best buddy" share the same day. It was pretty cute though when he seemed to understand.
Allyson's was next and I had Justyn getting pictures for me until she threatened him with his life! He got a couple of good ones--but they somehow got erased off my camera. Wonder how that happened!
Zack had an important birthday this year. He turned 12 and was ordained to the office of a deacon. We got to share that with him and his family and his other grandma and a room full of deacons. Darren gave him a great blessing also.
Justyn turned 17 and we caught him doing what most 17 year olds love to do--especially on fast Sunday. He wouldn't wake us for anything, so we got a picture in his deep sleep.

He finally did "cooperate" though and gave me his signature smile for pictures--isn't is great!


Nicole had her very important birthday and turned 8 years old. She had a great day with her favorite dinner and an awesome butterfly cake and a bunch of great presents.

 Happy, happy birthday to all of you. You are some of the very best!