2018 Family Reunion - Pine Valley

John's siblings (Rachel and Jordan) and their spouses were in charge of planning the 2018 family reunion.   What an event it was!    

I'll admit, my family was feeling a little apprehensive of the location (just 20 minutes from notoriously hot hot HOT St. George Utah) but this not-so- little Pine Valley Lodge was the perfect spot for a family to gather!

I loved trying to wake up before anybody else each morning.  It gave me a chance to enjoy the quiet and peacefulness of the morning.   FYI, watching the sunrise over a desert landscape while listening to the far off mooing of grazing cattle, and the nearby buzzing of hungry humming birds - is a pretty dreamy way to start a day.   Just saying.

Our reunion organizers approached the reunion in a fun way. 
They designated a major holiday to each day of our stay together, and we spent the day celebrating in ways that this family traditionally did growing up.  (ie: steak and seafood dinner on Christmas Eve, breakfast pizza on Christmas Day, etc)

Of course it wouldn't be a reunion without fun and games.   Christmas Day included the much loved "Family Auction", poker with Uncle Brent, Christmas Tree (cone) decorating contest, and the always enjoyable family photo session.  

New Years Day took us to Zion National Park.  

My little family was a little overwhelmed by the HEAT (41 degrees!) but they powered through it and spent the day doing small hikes in the park and playing in the muddy, but slightly cooler creek that cut through the red rock.  

There was one day in which we celebrate every ones birthdays.  

We went into St. George and let the kids swim at a fun pool, the Dad's all helped kids build and launch rockets, and we continued to enjoy the evening routine of games and watching family TED talks.

Halloween brought us the traditional family reunion carnival.   Thankfully we were able to use a nearby church for this, which meant we did not have to go out in the heat.  

Uncle Aaron through a fun and intense curve ball when he put $1000 on the table as an award for whichever family one his Curling Tournament.   Now he really knows how to inspire a group to try their hardest!    John and I (Italy) didn't win, as the prize went to the Finnish family, but it was fun to watch.

My family were able to feel consoled when we won Jordan's carnival challenge, which required that each family devise a way to pop our designated balloon using the tools and supplies provided by Jordan.  It was really cool to watch families focus on the challenge and work together.   

Us Moms ducked out early so we could enjoy our favorite evening out together.  

We missed Sarah H this night (darn flu!) but enjoyed the fancy restaurant and conversation.  

Our plan was to enjoy CINDERELLA at the Tuacahn Theatre.   I think I was looking forward to this more than anything else.  Unfortunately, as soon as we took our seats, it began to rain.  (Pour!)  We sat there in the rain for a bit hoping for the storm to pass, but ultimately the show was cancelled on account of the weather.  Boo!!!

Easter brought us a fun competition of Egg Jousting, a yummy Ham dinner, and (after a bit of Math Practice with Brent) a trip to Snow Canyon.

(Studying for my upcoming Diploma Exam.  Brent trying to prove that he could do better at it than I, which was probably true;)

I LOVED Snow Canyon!

I liked that the hikes we did were always short (way hot!) and I really liked how fascinating the terrain was.  

Really really a beautiful time with the kids!

Our reunion organizers made sure we had lots of time for visiting, evening reminiscing, and games!

(Family Feud, The Newlywed Game, and some Family history fun.)

Thanksgiving Day was a sweet day for me.  

It had been arranged for our family to go to a St.George nursing home to put on a musical concert.  (In honor of Marilyn's past music recitals)   It was very sweet to watch the family gather and share their love of music with each other.   

John shared a song he had composed (inspired by his Mom) and titled "Soaring." 

It was lovely.

We took a detour for a bit down into the Arizona desert where we foraged for Utah Ice.  It was a whole new level of HOT for my family, but really really fascinating!

My kids enjoyed their first ever dining experience a the Golden Corral.   (The whole "Buffet" thing was pretty darn fun for them all;)

We spent some time that afternoon visiting the St.George Temple. 

I LOVED watching Sam and Abby do baptisms with some of their older cousins, and I am glad that I get to say that I have seen this beautiful temple.   

We all enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner that night before a couple of us families left.   

(The reunion was to officially end the next morning, but some of us needed to make a dent in our trip home.)    It was a nice day to leave after having celebrating all that we were thankful for.   

Most (if not all) would agree that we were so very blessed to get to have that week together.  To get to celebrate Max and Marilyn and their posterity, to strengthen, support, and learn from each other.  

A special week with a special group indeed!