Reunion Day 1 - Provo, UT

Good morning from south of Provo, Utah.  With this many people in the cabin, the place is bustling this morning.  Little ones everywhere all wanting their breakfast.  That means they must wake EVERYONE up, including Uncle Scott.  Now this is something I definitely approve of --- let's go gang.  They have places to go and people to see -- or at least they think so.

What a great daddy/daughter shot.

After being apart for so long -- most family members just want to connect and stay close to these little treasures to get to know them.  It is absolutely heartwarming.

But I don't WANT to get dressed.  I want to feed the baby.  (He will hate this pictures years from now.)

Scott's Dad is up with us to get things settled in and Mister catches him perfectly.  What a great man.  Gotta love him.

They have several projects going on the place as a way of helping out the people who own the property.  What a great benefit to be able to use this wonderful cabin in exchange for friendship and hard work.

Our home for the weekend.  Divine, isn't it? (This is the back patio view)

Once the boys are fed and dressed, it is time to hunt wildlife.  They are boys after all.  What do you suppose they will find?

They also have to strut their stuff of course.  I mean, after all, we need to know how tough they are.  I think that by having 4 girls and 1 boy, I may have missed out on these "boy group" things.  I certainly don't remember them much -- but then again -- I am pretty old.



Let's get this party started --- first up:  Baseball.  Kyle used to play quite a bit so he throws some pitches to the nephews.

All goes really well until it is time for Jon to bat.  He swings and sends the ball smack into my car's windshield.  It doesn't break, but the look on his face is so choice.  He whipped his head around to find me and see what my reaction would be --- pretty funny.

Bekah throws some pitches to Hyrum as well, letting him attempt to hit the ball.  It's so hard to watch the bigger boys do things and not be able to keep up.  Isn't that the way it goes with all children.  "I want to play too."

The other boys appear to have been successful in their hunt.  Jared has a little lizard on his hand and they are all three delighted with their discover.  Not all three want to hold it though.  I can't stop giggling at them.

Uncle Scott has managed to snag a few 4-wheelers for the weekend and so it is lesson time.  Bekah is so excited -- she wants to be able to drive it all by herself and she is shortly rewarded with just that opportunity.  Now THIS is a happy girl.

It does open the flood gates though and soon everyone is clamoring for lessons and rides even if it means helping out with some work as well.  Soon Cassie is called in to help with the instructions and it doesn't take long before Jon is driving as well.

It is time to feed the crew again and Mister tries to take a "girls" picture.  What's up Becca?  You are okay with a soaking wet shot but not a kitchen one?  Oh well.

No one stays inside for long.  It is way too wonderful outside.  The porch is amazing and a perfect place to contain the little ones.  It is also excellent for those visits that I treasure oh so much.  When we are only able to gather together once every year or so, everyone wants the chance to have some individual time with each one of their siblings, nieces, nephews, parents, etc.  That is what makes these times so special.


Mister takes out the horseshoes and starts another round of activity.  Keeping everyone entertained takes some preparation but is well worth it.



A few people decide on a small hike to the creek.  Is this not a beautiful place?

And a beautiful baby girl.  (My baby of course.)

Once everyone returns, Uncle Matt gives himself over for some playtime.  I think everyone looks forward to these moments.  The boys all adore him and he makes a point of spending one on one time with each one.  What could be better than that?

Aunt Cassie, on the other hand, is smitten with Zyra and doesn't miss a single opportunity to have a moment with her even if it means eating her lunch on the floor.  Isn't this precious?



I have brought a craft project for the afternoon and it is finger painting!  Woohoo.  Let's see how big of a mess we can make.  Every single on of my grands except Zyra get in on the fun and soon there are brightly colored hands everywhere.  I am oh so thankful for help from the parents.  It gets just a bit overwhelming to me but I am loving it at the same time.

The kids are wanting back in the water again so a sprinkler is set up and the squirt guns reloaded.  So glad we picked them up as a back-up supply.

Aunt Cassie has also bought bubbles in a supersize and it doesn't take long for her to find playmates.  The funniest is Hyrum who has absolutely no desire to blow the bubbles but wants to chase each and every one of them down and pop them.  It is way too cute.

Even Grandpa gets in on the fun by attempting to stop the flow of bubble mix from finding its way to the ground.  What a wise and inexpensive purchase this was.  Between water guns and bubbles, we finish off the afternoon without any cries of "I'm bored."  Oh -- and add in the 4-wheelers for the older kids.  I have rarely seen Bekah off of them today.

This day is rapidly coming to a close and it is once again time to focus on food.  We are having corn on the cob tonight and Miss Elena wants to help shuck the corn.  Well alrighty then.

A movie is put in and quiet settles over the cabin.
It's time for bed but I will leave you with perhaps my favorite picture of Scott.  Enjoy and see ya tomorrow morning for more fun and memory making.