Family Reunion in Hyrum

I had to tell this blog all about our family fun in Hyrum even though it was a while ago ago. 

I mustn't let all these pictures go to waste.

The dad's make sure there is lots of shade for napping and reading and eating and talking.

 This big orange floaty could fit lots of us and was very fun.

Go Sarah :)

burying Sarah in the sand

Doing "swim lessons" with Gwenny

Hannah and Emmaline are growing up. They are the oldest Grand kids. 

Aren't they lovely.

Playing in the mud. What a perfect mud pie Gloria made.

I'm in love with Penelope. She is incredibly cute. 

Nate's youngest sister Carrie. She looks like a cute little kid all curled up asleep.

 She is really a busy mother of 3. 

She didn't really stop moving the whole trip. All her kids are young and close together.

Sarah and Lyla.

 Can you tell Lyla is Penelope's older sister? 

AnnaKate and Afton resting for one minute.

 All 21 cousins  played so hard all day in the sun. 

They'd all stay up late and get up too early because they were having so much fun.

Luke took a nice mud bath.

 Gross. 

We played water Olympics on the front lawn. 

All the Grand kids adore Grammy and Papa. (Sorry for the lack of Papa in this picture)

We had our second talent show this year. Last year was the first year we had one. 

We all love the movie Dan in Real Life and in that movie they have a talent show........ so one of the sister in law's (probably Jill) thought we better have a talent show. That's Jill and Chad dancing to Bright Eyes. Were they singing too?? I can't remember. Isn't Jill so cute and pregnant. 

Lucy is adorable getting into the act.

Chad and Nathan singing  something funny. (Not my Nathan, Carrie's Nathan)

The Older girls taught the little ones a dance. They rehearsed all week! They really take this show seriously. They sang and danced to Price tag. 

Cute cousins all about the same age doing this little dance with clown faces.

 My poor Sarah was off bawling because she wanted a tie dye shirt but we got there the day after all the cousins made tie dye and there weren't enough extras. 

Since I didn't get to sing at Summerfest because I was at my Grandmother's funeral I sang at the talent show.

I haven't ever sung for my husband's side of the family before. A couple of my sister in laws read my blog and have heard my songs on there but that's about it. 

It made me so nervous and uncomfortable. 

My hands were shaky and I could barely play the guitar.

My voice sounded tight. 

AnnaKate knew the words to the songs I sang and she sat right in front of me mouthing the words.

 I just stared at her sweet face as I sang and loved that she new all the words. 

Thank you AnnaKate!

After the kids went to bed I sang a few more songs.

 By this time I wasn't nervous and my fingers and my voice functioned properly. 

One little story about my niece Afton.

 She is off the charts cute. 

She is sweet and mellow and very fun to be around. 

We were floating out on rafts together talking. 

She was talking to me like I was her good friend. I felt honored. 

She told me she wished I was her mom. I asked why?

 (her mom Ali is amazing) she said because I let my kids have so many pets. 

Oh ya of course.

 That is my best quality when it comes to kids thinking I'm a fun mom.

 Her mom is pregnant with her 6th child. 6th child I tell you.

 I am so proud of Ali and jealous of her rock star strong body.  

Then Afton said. "Do you want to watch me soul surf?"

and I said

"Of course!"

Cute Rex sleeping on his dad. 

This isn't even all that we did. The boys went golfing a few times, us girls went to see The Help. We had a big family tennis match one morning . I had to play on the "special" team with Nate in the parking lot. My mother in law is a tennis master and let me be on her team after my practicing with Nate. 

She is so much like Nate. Kind and fun to be with. Nate is so much like her.

 My mother in law can kick all our butts in tennis.......and running.........and a swimsuit competition. 

 We ate and ate and ate. It was fun and adventurous. 

We came home nice and tired. 

There. 

I did it. 

Have a great day. :)