Family Reunion in Heber, Utah

We had a fabulous reunion with our kids, their spouses and our 11 grandkids from Aug 1-5 in Heber, UT. We rented a large cabin that was perfect for our family. There were 5 bedrooms - one for each couple and the kids slept downstairs on air mattresses by the pool table. Here are some pictures of the cabin.

Tyler's and BJ's family had been in Utah for a week, Michael's family flew in from Maine a couple days before the reunion, Holly's family and I arrived in Utah the night before the reunion and Bryan flew into Provo the morning of August 1. We helped BJ and Shannon (who were in charge of the reunion) with their kids while they went shopping for the final groceries. And, we cleaned Grandma Clark's basement since a lot of our family had been staying with her. Here is a picture of her with Emily and one with Emily and Hannah. We love Grandma and are so thankful for her hospitality and always taking such good care of our family.

We couldn't check into the Heber cabin until 2:00, so we left about noon for the Watkins Cabin near Sundance, where Tyler's and Michael's families were staying. I got this great picture of our 3 sons, Michael, Tyler and BJ. Love these boys! 

Sorry we missed Madie and Finn from this picture. This was just before we left the Watkins Cabin and they were already in their car seats.

 Sadie and Ethan are such good little buddies.

 And Claire, Lexi and Kylie are good friends too!

 We had a few issues getting the key to the cabin, but we finally got in and immediately started dinner preparations. Tyler and BJ started the BBQ for hamburgers and hot dogs and the kids husked corn on the cob. It's sad that they're all so camera-shy, isn't it?

 We were so thankful when Jeff arrived just before dark, after driving all night from St Louis. I don't know how he did it! We were so thankful everybody was at the cabin safe and sound. We got the kids beds set up in the basement. Ethan was so happy to see his dad - Jeff is cuddling with him on the sofa (see adult leg!). We were actually very surprised the kids went to sleep so quickly - they must have been tired. You can't see Sam, Brodi or Madie's beds in this picture, but everybody but Finn, Hannah and Emily slept in this room.

Papa was happy to finally meet little Emily for the first time! 

 The girls were setting bear traps on the steps of the cabin.

 Brodi and Madie became good friends - most of the time - that is! They both have strong personalities and they both want to be in charge!

Finn and Hannah are still too little to play together, but Hannah was fascinated with Finn and Emily.

Tyler, master chef, cooking breakfast.

 On Friday, we went to Park City for the day. We started at the Alpine Slides. The kids had a blast! I tried to get pictures of everybody as they came down. This is Brodi & Shannon and BJ and Sam. 

 Holly and Claire

 I think Tyler is in the red shirt right behind a lady and a little boy who were going so slow, they gave Tyler another free ride down. 

 Holly and Tyler  

 I believe this is Tiffany, Sadie, Kylie and Lexi

 and Michael and Madie

 Here are most of us - waiting for others to get down the slide

 BJ and Shannon decided to ride again, but with Hannah this time.

 Bryan and I on the chair lift up the mountain

 Tyler got his extra free ride and Jeff and Ethan decided to go again too.

 BJ, Brodi and Papa & Sam getting ready to take off

 Jeff, Ethan and Tyler ready to go

 Shannon and Hannah ready to go

Mallory, Michael and Madie ready to go

Madie, Lexi, Claire, Kylie, Ethan, Sadie at Park City

 I love this one of Madie and Sadie!

 Mallory snuggling Emily

 After the Alpine Slides, we went to The Canyons - Grand Summit Hotel - where, thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Clark, I am considered an owner and I was able to get access to the Owner's Lounge. We had all of our lunch stuff with us in coolers, so we made lunches there and ate at the tables in the lounge. It was nice to re-group before we went swimming at the hotel. Cute little Finn-Man and Madie were getting ready to swim.

 Madie

 The girls enjoying the pool. 

 We lined all of the grandkids up except Emily, who was happily sleeping again! The pool was pretty crowded when we got there and our gang didn't help much! It was a fun afternoon though. After swimming, we decided to all take showers there so we didn't have to when we got back to the cabin. It worked out great since they had nice showers with shampoo, conditioner and soap provided!  And swim suit dryers!!

 On Saturday morning, we were going to hike Stewart Falls, near Sundance, but the cabin was tucked back in the mountains so far, we decided to hike around where we were staying instead of driving all the way down the mountain. It made for a much more pleasant day! I gave everybody a red t-shirt, which my family gave me much grief over, but I think it was the perfect color for our pictures against the green and the beautiful aspen trees.

I already posted these, but to keep consistent with the time frame of our reunion, I'll post them again. We had the picture taken right before we left on our hike.

 I LOVE this picture of our 11 grandkids. We feel so blessed to have such a great family!

Here we are on our hike.

 Sadie and Ethan, with Kylie photobombing.

 Kylie, Michael, Finn, Tiffany

 Shannon and Kylie

 BJ and Sam with Tyler photobombing!

 BJ and Hannah

 Tyler and Tiffany

 Ethan and Sadie with their butterflies. The butterflies were all over the place.

  BJ, Tyler, Ethan, Kylie

Charlie's Angels - aka Lexi, Claire and Kylie

 Holly and I taking pictures of each other

 Sadie and Sam (Shannon in background)

 Hiking along......

 We found a lake, where we stopped to have snacks and rest. Lexi found a dead fish.

 Who needs boys, Tyler???

 Madie was exploring and I couldn't resist taking these pictures of her. 

Michael and Finn

Papa and Finn, a happy little guy!

  Ethan loves Uncle Tyler 

 After our hike, we had lunch and a short rest and then we went to Heber to get ice cream at Granny's. BJ's family went to Dairy Keen so Sam could see the trains, and then we were supposed to meet at a park afterwards, but we sort of got separated. But, we all ended up back at the cabin for dinner.

Then it was time for the talent show. Each of the 11 grandkids did something for their talent. Emily showed us how strong her legs are getting and how well she is holding her head up. Finn showed us his monkey crawl, which I wish I could show here! Everybody did something and it was great.

 Michael and Mallory treated us to a Johnny Cash song, which was awesome.

 Papa's friend, Hans, from Germany joined us to tell the kids the story about Goldilocks and The Three Bears in German. Papa did a great job of keeping their attention.

 Sunday morning, we had our own church. Bryan and I gave a lesson on "We are blessed to have parents to teach us". It just happened to be the Primary lesson that we would have taught in our ward that Sunday and was very appropriate for our reunion. Sam and Ethan were all ready for our church.

After lunch, we all drove to Temple Square and had a tour of the Conference Center and saw some of the displays in the Visitor's Centers. Madie wanted to go see the Christus, but she didn't want me to take her picture - silly girl. 

On our tour

Claire and Sadie looking at pictures in the Conference Center. We had just talked about the Stripling Warriors in our Primary lesson that morning, so they were excited to see that picture.

 Kylie wanted to go to the front of the Conference Center really bad, so we're glad she was able to.

 Tyler's family on top of the Conference Center

 All of the grandkids, except Emily, on top of the Conference Center. The sun was so bright!

 Kylie loved the babies! I love this picture of Finn in his normal position when he gets his blankie. His two fingers go into his mouth and he holds the tab of his blankie Aunt Holly made for him.

 Finn and Uncle Ty

Before we went to the visitors's center, Kylie said, I wish I could see Angel Moroni up close - looks like she got her wish.

One of my favorite displays at Temple Square. I love this little replica that shows the inside of the Salt Lake Temple. The kids loved looking at it.

 A great picture of Tyler's family in front of the Sale Lake Temple.

Finn kept staring at my mouth for long periods of time. We finally figured out that he was looking at the gum I was chewing. It was so funny how he kept staring with this expression on his face!

 (Other pictures will be added later - thanks to Tiffany for sending her pics)

And then, the highlight of the day, was meeting at Jeff's sister's house in West Jordan, where we were able to participate in Emily's blessing. She is such a beautiful baby and we were happy we could make this part of our family reunion. A lot of Jeff's family and some close friends from Iowa were also at the blessing.

Beautiful Emily

 Four generations - Claire, me, Holly, Emily, Grandma Clark

The Boyer Family on Emily's blessing day 

Nana, Emily, Papa

After the blessing, we returned to the cabin for a nice pulled chicken sandwich dinner and then it was bedtime for the kids and Rook time for the adults!

This was the end of our reunion, sadly. Thank you to BJ and Shannon for being in charge and organizing all of the food and activities. Tyler and BJ's families left very early Monday morning for Mesa. School was starting Wednesday and they needed to do final preparations for that. Boyer's, Michael's family and Bryan & I stayed to clean the cabin a little, then we said good-bye to Boyers as they headed back to Boise. We and Michael's family met back at Grandma's house to give her our leftover food and return the things we had borrowed from her. Then, we all left and it was sad. I love our family so much and I'm thankful for the times we can be together. Planning reunions is what keeps me going! After one ends, I immediately start thinking about the next time we can all be together because it means so much to have everybody together. I love my family and feel like I'm the most blessed person alive!!!