Family Reunion 2008

We finally got the whole family together at the same time and under the same roof.  What fun.  Counting our new grandson-in-law, we now number 32.  We had beds for all the grown-ups and the rest had sleeping bags.  The two teenage boys (Brenden and Landon) had their own little private den in the storage room complete with TV and video games.  We needed beds for four babies, and I was one short, so . . . Here's little Nate . . . . in his drawer bed.

On the 4th of July, we hiked around Lynxwood Lake near our home.  Here we are taking a little break while the guys tried to out do each other skipping rocks.

Hayden (David's youngest), in the lead, obviously had a place in mind that he was taking us.
Here's Ivy (Maren's) relaxing while polishing off a few snacks.
I should have taken pictures of the 4th of July barbecue which was really good, thanks to the guys, but I guess I was much too busy enjoying all that great food. 

Saturday night we had a talent show, which was lots of fun.  Here's Kerina (Bart's 4th) who impressed us with her own composition--it even has words.  She's definitely a "chip off the old block."

Here's Marie and Jarom aka Batman and Robin--a great skit, and wouldn't you know, the Dynamic Duo prevailed once again.
A Mother and Daughter Duet--Casey and Alexa.  Such concentration and not one mistake.
Along with the singing, playing, and art, Casey decided that her real talent was sewing, so when it was her family's turn to perform, they modeled the aprons that Casey had made--one for each family.  Here's Meagan with hers.
David wearing the more "manly" apron.
Maren obviously likes hers.
Hannah (Bart's oldest) impressed us all with her accuracy and technique.  Such a darling girl.  In case you're wondering about the piano--we couldn't fit everyone into that room, so the men put it through the double doors as far as it would go so we could see all the performers. Thanks guys!  Such problem solvers. 
Sunday morning everyone was ready for church and we were there in plenty of time to find seats for all of us.  Here's Landon (David's) all ready to go and waiting patiently.
Ivy and her Daddy (Andrew) also ready to go.
Bart's ready, but looks like he'd rather still be in bed.
And look at these sweet girls (Casey's) ready to head out the door.  Alexa holding McKenna, Livie, and Maya.
It was a special day for us because Bart and Marie had Grace blessed in our ward.  She is such a beautiful baby.  Poor thing--just three weeks after they returned home, she ended up in the hospital for a few days with whooping cough.  Their whole family was quarantined for 5 days.  I was talking to Andrea (Bart's 2nd who is 12) on the phone about being quarantined.  She was especially disappointed because she had plans to go to the mall the next day.  I told her how bad it must have been back in the day when people got quarantined for much longer periods.  She then reminded me that back then, they didn't have malls!  Silly me. 

Here are some of the men who stood in the circle to bless little Grace--Uncle Tim, Grandpa, Daddy, and Uncle Andrew.  Uncle Dave and Cousin Pavel had to leave right from church to get back to Utah for work Monday morning, so they missed the picture, but they were in the circle as well.
Tim and Casey left that afternoon for California, and Maren and Andrew and Bart's family left Monday morning.  I have to admit that I was too lonely to enjoy the peace and quiet.  It had been such fun--we had wii tournaments, played pickleball, and ping pong, and watched power point presentations that I had put together of the kids and grandkids growing up.  I think the grandkids really liked seeing their parents as kids--couldn't believe they would wear such funny clothes and hairstyles.  It was remniscent of all the laughing their folks have done through the years about our clothes and hair.   What a lot of fun.  I can hardly wait to do it all again.  There simply just isn't anything better than having all the family together, and I can't thank my children enough for the wonderful grandchildren they have given us.  We just can't get over what good children they are thanks to their parents.