Reunion fun

The first week of August my side of the family, parents down, had our first annual family reunion. We all traveled to Wolf Creek in Eden, Utah were we stayed in 3 separate 2-bedroom condos. There are 24 of us in age from my dad down to one year old. We had a fun week with lots of time to visit and play together and we had a blast! Here are some of the things that we did. (Most of the pictures are in these three slide shows. But there are so many that if you want to see all of them you will have to click on "view all".)

The first day that we were there, we weren't able to check in until 4 so we went swimming and tried to entertain the kids as best as we could and then when we got in to our condos we basically unloaded the food, made dinner and went to bed.

The next day was Sunday and we enjoyed a calm and quiet (as much as possible) day. We had a small church service and then just played games and went for a walk with the kids.

Monday we hung around the condos and played tennis, and racket ball. Some went swimming but Jessi had a fever on Sunday so I wanted her to take it a little easy for the day. Here are some pictures:


Tanner liked to chase his ball, but golfed at it more than swung.

Jessi swung a lot but I don't think she ever connected.

Zach, Joe, Kirsten, Dad, Caleb and Kathryn, then Nathan.

David, Melissa, and Chris.

Top: Mike with Caleb and Zach. Bottom: Nathan with Caleb, Zach, Jessi and Tanner.

Jessi connected a little better with this ball.

MJ took the little boys into the play room for a little while and had a tea party.

Then on Tuesday we went to the Reservoir with my brother's wave runners. We ended up having a great time, even though one of the machines was broken and we rented another one. The weather was perfect and only my dad got sunburned. We went back again on Thursday after the wave runner was fixed but it was pretty windy and we only stayed about 3-4 hours.

If you want to see the pictures bigger just click on view all.

The second day Jessi and MJ weren't as thrilled about another day at the beach. They were Beach bums.

Wednesday we were supposed to be up early riding horses but it didn't work out so we took the kids and anyone who wanted to go on a little hike. The kids loved catching grasshoppers and some said they saw a snake, but over all we had a good hike with not too much whining. After lunch we went to the pool with everyone so the cousins to all swim together. We had great weather for the most part. Only having wind in the evenings and some rain one morning before everyone got up and going.

Jessi has a grass hopper on her shirt just below her hat. Then she is holding it and showing it to me and cousin Kiera.

Grandpa loved to give the kids rides on his shoulders. We just had to watch for low branches.

Here is the group of us that went hiking. And a group of the kids that went. This is all the cousins minus Ethan, who was napping and my brother Joe.

Thursday we were able to meet a woman with an amazing horse and all the 10 grand kids were able to have a ride for only $40! And each ride was between 7-10 minutes. Unfortunately we decided to go in order for age and so Tanner and Jessi were at the end and Tanner was about asleep by the time his ride was over but luckily we were at a little park so we could distract them a little while they waited. The lady was really great. She let them all "steer" the horse themselves, even Tanner. The boys had gone target shooting that morning so they met us at the horses then we went back to the condos to eat. Then went to the beach.

Jessi loved every minute of her ride on the horse. Tanner just sat there with his hands comfortably set on the saddle horn like he was a pro.

Friday we just kind of hung out again. The 5 siblings that are married went to the timeshare presentation so that ate up the morning, but we ended up trying to plan for next year and then after lunch we had some relay races and played with water balloons before dinner. I have a ton of these pictures, sorry. There are some cute cousin shots at the very end but I think you have to click on "view all" to see those since only 100 pictures will show on the slide show.

These were Jessi's best bubbles from the contest.

Saturday we all checked out and headed home. Most of us had a whole day of driving ahead of us, but it was well worth it to see everyone and spend time together. I am looking forward to next year and Jessi is already asking when she will be able to see her cousins again.

New Talent

We are back from a wonderful trip to Utah with my family but I took over 300 pictures so it will probably be a few days before I update you on the trip. Until then, Tanner and Jessi have been keeping us entertained. Check out Tanner's new talent. I can't believe how fast he can go by himself!

Big Basin: The Redwoods

I lied, one more post this month.
We took a little day trip to the redwoods near the coast. We forgot directions and so we took the long way but he kids were great in the car and we had a great time while we were there. We didn't get rained on this time and the weather was perfect in the shade of these amazing trees. The kids loved just running, skipping, and climbing and playing with Daddy. Here are a few pictures of the trip.



Can you find MJ?

Tanner loves to balance.



Running around the tree with MJ.

The dessert after playing.

Beach Camping: The Beach!

So I am finally updating my last post for a while I hope until August after our family reunion. When we went camping the daily activity is going to the beach and staying down there all day. I say down because it is probably a 10-15 minute walk (with the kids) to get down to the beach and it is all UPHILL on the way back. Fortunately we have some great older boys in our ward that carried all of my stuff down and up for me and I just had to worry about the kids. I think their mom's felt sorry for me since I am a little pregnant:) Anyway, it saved me because I had to carry Tanner back up the hill 2 of the 3 days. For only being 22 lbs, he sure is heavy!

Jessi loved every second of the beach. I am luck that both of my kids stay out of the water for the most part. Tanner is afraid of the waves so he is very cautious of even going near the water and Jessi doesn't go in much past her ankles and then only if there is someone bigger holding her had or right next to her. Jessi would rather dig, roll, crawl and sprawl in and through the sand than be in the water. Tanner isn't as bad but he also loves to play in the sand. To say the least, they were covered in it from the first day until we got home and were able to give them a back. Camping showers just aren't able to get that much sand off of kids. So though I had an absolutely wonderful time, I am glad to be home and have the convenience of a bath tub to clean my children:)

And now the pictures!


This was our group the first day. We had a ton of people and lots of kids for Jessi and Tanner to play with.


The bigger kids are so great to play with the little ones. Jessi got in on some Volleyball action. Tanner just wanted the ball.


Tanner helped dig this hole and bury someone else, then decided it was his turn and the other kids helped him out.


Jessi being covered in sand, for one of many times.


Again being buried.


Everyone got into digging this huge hole then they decided to try to get the water to come in too. Jessi loved watching and standing in the middle.


Tanner was so tired out that the last two days at the beach he fell asleep in my arms then slept in his chair and in the sand for a good two hours. Nate joined in the second day.


Here are Tanner, Jessi and Nate waiting for mom's to get ready to get them in the shower. Aren't they cute?!

Tanner's Birthday

While we were camping Tanner turned two! I can't believe he is that old. Anyway, MJ brought a cake out to Santa Cruz and we shared it with anyone who wanted it. Another boy in our ward shares the same birthday as Tanner so they were able to both blow out candles. Melissa and Chris came out for the night too. We ate cake, then had some smores. Very low key, and nice.


The cake with Tanner and Owen blowing out candles.


Smores.

Then on Sunday we had another mini celebration for Tanner. I make some cupcakes and he got a helmet and scooter. He loves it after trying to ride all the bigger kid's scooters all week at camping.


Jessi helping Tanner open his card.


Tanner with his new helmet and scooter.


Blowing out the cupcake candle. I love that he was so proud of himself when he did it.


He loved the cupcakes, but unfortunately they were hard to hold on to. He still was able to get some frosting in his mouth.

Beach Camping: Boardwalk Night

This past week we went camping in Santa Cruz near the beach. The first night we went to the Boardwalk and had a blast! MJ was able to take the day off and come and help me set up camp and then enjoy the night with us. Here are some pictures of the kids on the rides. Monday and Tuesday nights the rides are only 1 ticket each so we got to ride a lot.











Here is a video of how fast this ride was. The kids actually loved it. Tanner was just tall enough. MJ was a little big, but enjoyed the time with the kids.