Family Reunion 2009

Here are a ton of pictures from our recent family reunion. This year we spent 4 days at a cabin in Timberlakes - a community just East of Heber. It was called the "Aspen Moose Cabin." (The kids woke up early every morning in order to spot a moose - but no luck. They did see some deer though!) The setting was beautiful, the cabin provided much entertainment and of course, it was great fun to be with the family!
Day One: The evening of our arrival Grandma told us about the legend of Big Foot and then we explored the area looking for signs of his existence. She also gave the kids some "nature cameras" to encourage them to look more closely at the plants and flowers to behold their beauty.




Then the guys enjoyed a game of "sticks" while we sat and enjoyed a pleasant mountain evening - mosquitoes and all!


Day Two: We started the day by making tie dye shirts. This was great fun for all! Thanks to my friend Jessica for providing me with all of the materials - it made it such a quick and easy process.



Kip decided to try something a little different. You will see his results later in this post!

Wes had my shirt all ready for me to dye!

The whole family! (well, almost...) The cabin had this huge table that seated 12 people and had a "lazy susan" in the center.

The cabin was well-stocked with activities for the family - pool, ping pong, foosball, wii, x-box, swings, and tetherball. We were really looking forward to the hot tub but it was broken. I thought the kids would be so disappointed but they hardly even noticed!

That evening Grandma and Papa gave a presentation on nature and the beauty of the world around us.
She started by reading this excerpt from Song of Myself by Walt Whitman:

I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey work of the stars,
And the pismire is equally perfect, and a grain of sand, and the egg of the wren,
And the tree-toad is a chef-d'oeuvre for the highest,
And the running blackberry would adorn the parlors of heaven,
And the narrowest hinge in my hand puts to scorn all machinery,
And the cow crunching with depress'd head surpasses any statue,
And a mouse is miracle anough to stagger sextillions of infidels. (#31)

She then talked about how to discover nature by using our senses and taking the time to notice the details.

She showed different things that one can make with items found in nature


After her presentation she laid out boxes of shells, rocks, posters, books, nests, etc. taken from the beloved "science closet." She gave each child a plastic bin and they each went around and chose treasures to keep.


Day Three: We drove to Rock Cliff Nature Preserve at Jordanell State Park. Everyone looked so rad in their tie dye shirts!


Then we headed to the pool in Kamas to cool off. It was really nice with a waterslide and play area. Here is Isaac going off the high dive!

And Addie showing off her dive




Everyone was so excited when Aunt Amy finally arrived!






Day Four: We had a paper airplane throwing contest - can you see Addie's blue plane in mid-air?


Kip's blue plane matches his totally cool tie dye shirt!



The judges

We used this basket to transport the planes up to the balcony for launching



That was the last day of the reunion so we packed up and headed out. Tears were streaming down Addie's face as we drove away from the Aspen Moose cabin. I think we all felt sad to see it end. Looking forward to next year everyone!