This year’s reunion was in Layton, Utah, at a Stake Center. It was a carnival theme and each family was in charge of a booth. Some of the booths were: dart throwing at balloons, balancing a spoon around chairs, a photo booth, a drawing sketch booth, a Nerf gun booth trying to knock over plastic cups, bowling, musical chairs, a rubber band gun range, face painting, and for our booth we had a Lego building contest out of Mater and McQueen. I think that was all of them... The kids had a lot of fun. They also had some relay races for the kids, which I will have to post some of those videos because it was hilarious watching Austin and Carolyn, and then Austin and Liberty do some of the relay races; everyone sped passed them and they were moseying along at turtle speed, it’s so cute.
Austin getting his picture drawn by the amazing artist Elise Black (Bryan’s Aunt) who draws for the Friend magazine. She did 60-second sketches.
Grandma Niven’s spoon race booth.
The boys got their faces painted by Bryan’s cousin, Shawna.
Bowling Fun
Getting Ready to Race
Pie tasting contest, yum!!!!!
The carnival fun ended with the traditional family bartering, where each family brings things to trade and barter for.
My camera didn’t do very well in the cultural hall, and my editing made it worse :) At the end of the reunion there was a surprise celebration for Grandpa and Grandma Niven’s 60th anniversary. Bryan’s Aunts had set up a display behind the stage curtains of Grandma Niven’s wedding dress, a remake of their cake, some pictures and a guest sign in book. They were very surprised and it was really sweet.
It was a successful reunion and my boys loved every minute of it! Thanks Liz for all your hard work!
We took off Ethan’s training wheels in June and Bryan spent about two days helping him learn to ride a bike and Ethan learned very quickly. Here’s a video of his first day trying, followed by another day on his own.
Summer is flying by! Here's some of the things we've been doing in June.
Went to story time at the library (only once because it was too busy). During the summer they have it outside under a canopy and you can eat your lunch. Before that they have craft activities for the theme for the week, which is the reason for the Indian hats and tribal mask.
Helped watch a neighbor boy while the mom had some health problems. Ethan and Austin were such good babysitters and loved taking care of him.
Hiked up to the Y first with just Bryan and I and another couple, and then Ethan and Austin really wanted to go after they knew we had been up there. It was very slow going and HOT when we went, but they are so proud to tell other people that they’ve sat on the “Y”. I used to hike up the Timp. cave trail with my sisters and mom for exercise, but it isn’t very close, so I decided to hike up the Y every other Saturday with friends and neighbors...whoever will go with me. Any takers? I probably have been 6 times this summer, and hopefully will get several more in before it gets cold!
Went with Jessica, Barbara, Grandmother, and Laurel to look at wedding dressings for Jessica. I only had my iPhone to take these indoor shots, so they don't do her justice. She looked gorgeous in every single one!
Got ready for the 4th of July with these cool Old Navy shirts.....
And here's a video of Austin and his cousin Layla singing, "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home".
My sister-in-law, Jill, was on her way to Vegas from Washington, and stopped in Utah to visit family. Her husband (Bryan’s brother), Brent, is in the Navy and has been out on a submarine. We met up in Syracuse at Grandpa and Grandma Niven’s to visit. Ethan had so much fun playing with his cousin Kate. They don’t get to see each other very often, but they sure got along well and had a good time. Here’s some pictures of the little kids....I didn’t get any pictures of the adults, except for my boys with Grandpa and Grandma Niven (their Great Grandparents).
Unfortunately, I didn’t get Maggie, (I think), in this picture. Amanda and her are identical twins. What’s funny is that the two girls next to Ethan in matching dresses are Ethan and Austin’s cousins, and the two girls next to Austin are Bryan’s cousins (youngest cousins). The very next day Ethan asked me, “I want to go play with that girl (Kate) again.” We sure wish they lived closer!!
It’s amazing how much of the day driving to and from school takes, and all that goes along with school. It’s so nice not having to wake Ethan up in the morning, and I can get most of my work done in the morning now before they even wake up. The last day of school we helped clean the classroom, and then we went over to Veteran’s Pool for a school party. Here’s Ethan with his buddies (the three amigos). It was too bright, I guess, because they are all closing their eyes! It wasn’t very warm that day, but it was still fun to be in the pool.
"Memory is a child walking along a seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things." ~Pierce Harris
