Harold Family Reunion

My dads side of the family rarely gets together. He is the oldest of 4 kids, they all live in Utah but not close to my family. His parents live in northern Idaho, so when they wanted to have a family reunion we jumped at the chance to do it. The last time we were all together, was a christmas party in December of 2005. So my sisters and I started making food assigments and planning games and activities. The only ones not there were my cousin that couldn't get out of work, and my sister serving a mission in Uraguay. It was so much fun and great to see everyone. I am the oldest grandchild on that side of the family, and they ALL wouldn't let me forget it! I loved sitting and visiting with everyone, but we also played volleyball, did a candy cannon, treasure hunts, made instruments and did a marching band parade. We had an outdoor movie on the back of the house, had a cake walk, and so much more. I think it was a memorable experience for everyone. I had so much fun, and we have already set the date for next year. Richs parents let us use their motor home for the weekend, the kids were so excited to be able to move while driving, it was fun to watch them. We would have cars follow us for miles, so I am sure the kids were great entertainment for them. They loved being able to sleep in it, and the big seller of it was an indoor bathroom!

My Brother, the RM

I am still playing catch-up, so bear with me please. My brother John, we call him Johnny, returned home from serving an LDS mission in Louisville, Kentucky on June 27. I wasn't able to go to the airport to see him, so he decided to come to the park where I was doing a booth and surprise us. Leah, who is a little shy with everyone at first, took to him right away and ran up and gave him a great big hug. She was not quite a year old when he left. It was so fun to see him. The kids were thrilled to see him, and still just hang all over him.

They couldn't get enough of him, and he walked around the whole day like this. Always with one or two kids attached to him. We spent the day and evening at the park, and that night they had fireworks and the kids played on the playground. It was a good day, and we love having him home! He is number 6 of the 11 kids. I can't believe I am old enough to have a little brother home from a mission!

Build a Bear and T-Ball

Build A Bear with Abby and Ben
For Abby's Birthday this year, I let her pick either a friends party, or she could choose one special friend and we would go to Build A Bear. She picked Build A Bear, and her cousin Ben, because he had never been before. This is the kids with my cousin Julie, she joined us for lunch in Ogden. The day was a lot of fun. The kids had so much fun deciding what to get.
At this point we had spent 5-10 minutes picking animals. The two that they have were what the REALLY wanted, but by the end of the line, they each had a different animal.
They are getting their animals fluffed, and making wishes with their hearts. It was so cute to watch them, Ben kept stopping his because he wanted his floppy, but she had to tell him to keep going because there still wasn't any stuffing in his arms and legs. They both made cute choices, and had fun picking out their accessories.
This is at the fluffing and washing station. This is what Abby was looking forward too. You give them a "bath" with blow dryers, and fluff their fur. We spent a good 10-15 minutes here, they didn't want to leave.
Here we are back at the car, on our way out, it started pouring. If you have been to the Gateway, you know its all outdoors, and we were soaking wet. The kids and I kept ducking under awnings, and trying to wait it out, but it didn't stop. So we just ran for it. The had so much fun, and definitely a memory they will never forget!


Abby played T-Ball this year. It was good for her because she doesn't like the competitiveness of soccer, and all the running. Everyone gets to hit, and everyone gets to play outfield. Abby and her friend Sarah were the only girls, so they stuck together, and both had a lot of fun. The only hard thing was that she was a foot taller than everyone else, and the only left handed player, so they would always forget and try to show her how to bat right handed. The kids were much younger than the girls, it probably would have been better for Nate and Leahs ages, but she had fun nonetheless.