Why I Love A Good Family Reunion !!!

We held our family reunion last week and are in recuperating mode right now. Was it worth it? "Heck Yeah!!" Did I enjoy it? "You better believe it!" Would you do it again? "Darn Right, am open for suggestions when to do it again, and where to hold it?"

What did you enjoy most? Was there any special moments? "Hey! Just watch the clip of the Tahitian dancing by the young wahine cousins!" The young cousins really got things going during the family luau. With just a short amount of training from our island connection, Rachel, those young wahines really could shake'um.

The five cousins plus one auntie put on a show for the crowd. We even had a dance off or shake'um competition with the kane of boy cousins participating. "It was all good."

At the reunion, we had four of our five children and their families attend. Luckily, we had enough housing locally to put up all the out of towners. Having Sunday dinner together was a bit of an experience with everyone at our home. No one complained, the dog did her bit to help out, and there was lots of hands to help with the cleanup.

Was there any special things to remember aside from the "Tahitian dancing?" Like what? "The older boy cousins hung out alot, the girl cousins got along really well, they all liked being together because they're cousins. The uncle and aunties treated all the kids well, their own included. Later, the uncle and aunties played games, went to the movies after the kids were asleep, grandpa watched them, and had a fun time. When you have 18 grandchildren, first rule established by Grandma, the mommies and daddies were responsible to clean up their little ones, including nasty diapers. Hey, we had our turn doing that! The activities were cheap or free, like going to the swimming pool to cool off, or to Thanksgiving point for $2 Tuesdays, a museum trip at BYU campus, and a day trip up the canyon. One thing we didn't do well was take a group family photo. Nothing wrong with the camera stuff but the timing was just before dinner, the afternoon sun, and being hungry like Hungry Hungry Hippos! Again, it was all good!"

There were some other highlights like bringing each family to BYU to see Grandmas co-workers and brag about the grandchildren. There was even making a church statement, that we can occupy more than one row of church pews during Sacrament Meeting.

While looking through some older family photos, I notice that Ruby looks alot like Erin at a similar age, so does Gabby looking a lot like Nikki at a similar age. The same goes for Wyatt looking like Rachel and Anna looking like Leslie but without curly hair. Of course, my granddaughter Klai look darker than Grandpa because she's been in the sun more.

We were joined in our reunion by Uncle Dick and Aunt Joan and cousin Jarom and our dear friends the Funns. We had a blast, making lasting memories. Special thanks to our sons-inlaws, Troy, Dan, Mark, and Jase for bringing their families to happy valley this past week and a half. Also special thanks to Leslie, our program director/planner, Erin for the chicken long rice and taking the family portrait photos and scheduling the swimming activity. Special thanks to Rachel for the Halau O hula shakem up style training and #20 moopuna, and to Nikki for #'s 18 and 19 and soon #21. We love the little ones. We did miss Jesse and Amy and the boy, out on the east coast. We were all thinking of you all. Mahalo, to all.

What "dog days of summer" ???

A good recipe for "dog heaven" is bring in 18 grandchildren to a family reunion and giving the family dog "carte blanche" near and around the dinner table and kitchen. It must have been an easy way to clean up the food messes but not always is a good thing, a control thing. Her best buddies are Squadge and Taters. Of course, Wyatt and Ruby she likes. Then there was Emily and Anna always giving her a doggie bone, and who can forget those wonderful little people for leaving the front door open to let her scamper out the the neighbors and have to be bribed with a treat to get back in the house. Wow, she says, this is too easy.

After nearly a week of unsuspecting grandchildren seeing their food and snacks disappear before their noses, the family dog was again found pilfering the food right out of the hands of the wee little ones. As seen last evening at an outdoor cookout at Erin's back yard, the family dog was going from kid to kid and making easy pickings off Ruby, Shae, Wyatt, Teddy, etc.

Starting tomorrow, the family dog is being returned to her normal diet, no people food, and probably have to attend therapy, missing the kids. Things will return to normal in the household, they'll be just the three of us, but an occassional grandchild or two or three to watch the Disney channel, etc.

"Recalculating!"

Some time ago when all our young-uns were still at home, I'd make a statement, expecting to be believed as "the word", there would be an echo, something like "not???" with the inflextion of a negatory question. Even before that time, our kids would always question us on numerous matters, even so that on one summer trip, my wife and I appointed our eldest daughter to be the "answer lady" for all questions. She had a gift, and probably still has it to this day for coming to the rescue and providing authoritative answers to questions posed by family members. I'd dare say she could give wikipedia a good run for their money and be just as believeable.

Anyway, the point taken here is that now with all the young-uns on their own with their own families, my wife and I have had great difficulty finding a good destination for a summer trip, or road trip, lest making preparations, getting ready for the road, housing the family pet, etc. Our previous commitment to stay in town, aka ecclesiastical callings/assignment, now completed, it made for good reason to hit the road. So in preparation, we have the checklist which includes all things necessary, such as, getting the car checked out, tire rotation, gas fill up, oil change, packing and loading the car. Then there are the more important things, like road trip survival gear that includes, audio books, camera gear, laptop, GPS (my lady), cell phone chargers, nutritional supplements (ice chest, paper products including TP, water, caffenated drinks aka Pepsi & Mt. Dew, Keebler Dark Chocalate and Almond cookies, Teriyaki Beef Jerky, chips, nuts, cheese sticks, etc.) So, after all the essentials are packed, we drop the pet off at Erin's boardomg kennel with detailed instructions how to take care of the pet. We make one last pit stop before hitting the road, house is secured, alarm set, thermostadt set, lights turned off, and then we remember to stop the mail and newspaper. So a quick after hours call to the local USPS, and we arrange for the newpaper to be picked up, we are off.

Since we are making a late departure, we'll wing it on the trip. We have a tentative idea how far we will travel and stop for the night. Lucky we got a GPS, who guideth our every move. I'm begining to get annoyed when it says "recalculating" in a very annoying english voice. All through the trip, you make a slight detour here or there and the response is "recalculating." There's only one thing to do here, "MUTE" the GPS voice!

So, our reason to get on the road was the State holiday, recognizing early pioneer journey to the mountain west, or Pioneer Day. It's a recognized State holiday, celebrated with all kinds of festivities including local parades, rodeo, fireworks, lots of camping out, and other celebrations. If you live in the state and you want to go camping to a nearby spot, you'd have better made them reservations back in Christmas, that's how serious we take this celebration.

The pioneers journey started on the banks of the Mississippi River and culminated in what is today, Salt Lake City with the prophetic statement made by Brigham Young, "This Is The Place!" I guess they had a better equivalent to the modern GPS that didn't say "Recalculating!"

So, like a modern pioneer, we hit the interstate, headed west, stopped in Elko, NV and went to Carson City, NV. From there we journeyed down to Yosemite National Park, CA and back to Lake Tahoe and on the Yerington to see family. On the way out, can't resist stopping at a military installation, Fallon Naval Air Station, NV. After the kind and simpathetic Marine allowed us on base, we got gas and snacks, and hit the road heading back to "this is the place" again with the annoying GPS lady repeating "Recalculating!" over and over again.

Once safely home, you check out the homestead and find that your garden is overwhelmed with humongous (sp) zucchinis. Should have told Erin to pick them while we were away.

Anyway, we're glad we went on the road trip. We visited the scenic Humbolt National Forest and Lamoille Glacier (outside Elko, NV). We visited Yosemite National Park and entered from the East side (Lee Vining entrance area), and of course, Yosemite is one of our favorites. We got to see Mono Lake at Sunset, and found the two Wal Marts and one Costco in Carson City NV. We also found that Yerington, though it is in the dessert, is fairly green with farming fields and livestock. As for Fallon NAS, those sailors and marines are always addressing you as "Sir." Oh by the way, I wouldn't recommend that Quality Inn motel on North Carson Ave. Their housekeeping needs more OJT.

Well, glad we're back, now it's time to get ready for our family reunion.

Whats Not To Celebrate? It's The 4th of July! Soooo???

I love fireworks, starburst and bombs bursting in air. I'm patriotic, I'm proud to be an American, and I love our country. Also, I do enjoy a good reason to BBQ and then some. Here in Happy Valley, its a big deal, to celebrate the 4th of July. I love parades, patriotic ones, how about a good hot air balloon liftoff, or even the fireworks. Thats part of the celebration.





Our little town of PG had its own fireworks display and it was great. Only had to go down the street from our home, bring a lawn chair, park it in front of a neighbor's driveway and instant great seating. Great neighbors share their front driveway for the fireworks display. I setup my camera for some time exposure shots, got a great view, and just had to put up with onlookers or those arriving late driving up and down the street, with lights on of course. Hey, next year, we're blocking the road so no through traffic.





Love them fireworks. Can't wait for more. Enjoyed a great show, and so did many others.


I'm grateful for being an American, our way of life, our freedom to be Americans, and so on. Sunday meetings were up lifting, very spiritual. Others felt and expressed their testimonies with such wonderful spirit and deep feelings for our country.





Got up early to catch the balloon lift off in Provo. It was a fun event and I always enjoy the balloons. One day, I hope to catch a ride on one and take my camera to record the view.


Started to get warm for the parade, so I came home and caught up with putting my flag out for display. I love doing stuff like that.

While we enjoyed the holiday, there was a lot to catchup with and little time to do them. I was adjusting a couple of sprinkler heads in the yard and accidently broke one off. Got met with a sudden burst of water shooting straight up in the air and on me. It took me a while to shut off the water first and then try to fix the sprinkler head. In the end, I have that zone shut off and will replace the head completely.





On the bright side, most of the garden is planted and just one or two more projects to finish up. I'm going to add another Square Foot Garden grow box on the terrace for more stuff to plant and finish off planting two more rows in the garden. If all goes well, we should be buried in vegies by the end of August.





Speaking of celebrating the Independence Day, yesterday, our neighbor, Doug, was sworn in and got his American citizenship. Congrats. It's a big deal and I'm glad he realizes it. Most people take it for granted and don't appreciate the significance of their citizenship. If you've lived out of the US for a period of time, you get the message real quick.










Well, we're gearing up for our ohana reunion or get together in a month. Yes, we are a month away from kick off. Jo and I are looking forward to seeing as many of our grandchildren together in one spot. If all goes well, we will have 18 out of the 20 here in PG. That ought to be a sight. Looking forward to all the fun to be enjoyed. We are going to take some family photos and will have to Photoshop those who are missing into the picture.

Sometimes Even Your Parents Read FB!

It's amazing how technology is always upgrading and improving. Electronics are getting tiny tiny by the minute. Well, I don't think that we are so far behind the technology curve as some people might think.

If it has a keyboard, we liken it to a manual typewriter. If the keyboard is comfortable and slanted like a typewriter, we like it. If its flat or less than a full size, we have challenges. Heaven forbid, trying to type or text with those little tiny tiny keyboards that seem to slide out on a cell phone. It least that has more promise than tying to text using a numeric keypad of older cell phones.

Well, I frequent FB just about daily to keep up with people we know and whats happening in their lives. Its more interesting when it's from one of our children or their spouses.

On Monday, I answered an email from our youngest about what the current gas prices were. Not thinking and just answering her questions, I gave quotes from the local pumps here in Happy Valley. Seemed normal, since they are planning to travel to the mainland at the end of next month for family visits. Little preparation never is a waste on such matter as car rentals and gas prices.

Then the next day, my wife spied a comment on FB about if our youngest was going to attend her HS Reunion. Earlier comments were the great expense of airfares but as she read more comments, it was highly likely that our youngest was going to travel to the Mountain West to attend such HS Reunion.

The neat thing about FB is that you can get related comments or post from others say such as our son in-law. Yeah, his was more of a confirmation that they were indeed flying over. By then, other friends of our youngest innocently confirmed their meeting at the HS Reunion. Ah Hah!

So, we do the domestically proper thing, we call on the telephone, but no answers and try again and again. Same result. Then my wife decides to make an official inquiry by emailing our youngest. In polite surprise that we deducted the coniving plan of surprise, she admits to their travel plans. See, your secret is out on FB.

We are pleasantly happy for their travels, we get to see our #20 grandchild, and wow, how blessed we are. Oh yeah, the photo is compliments of our son inlaw using his new Apple iPhone 4 that he got in line at 2 or 3 AM in the morning in Las Vegas to get it. Neat or cool phone. He demonstrated some cool things that it does.

So in conclusion, if you don't want your parents to find out you plans or secrets, don't discuss it on FB even if it is a way of sharing the news.

We Have Been Assimilated, "Resistance Is Futile"

Today was the first official day back in our home ward after over 5 and 2/3 years serving in the 8th Stake. Wow, lots of older people, large, large Primary, lots of teens, and we know less than half of them.

We've had lots of great memories and experience, just awesome young families there. We had a great blessing of working with other awesome couples from "feeder" Stakes in the area. They too will be missed.

Well, today was "Fathers Day" and we celebrated it with our ohana here in PG. Erin and Mark did a super BBQ, Jarom provided some ukulele lessons and entertainment, the grand children were delightful, and Bubba got a hose bath out in the yard. I think he above all enjoyed the cool water bath.

Of course, this is PG in June, warm weather has finally arrived. The dessert of root beer floats or sundaes were awesome. Hit the spot.

Got some of my garden put in yesterday. The weather this spring has been mostly cold and rainy. Hope the garden will catch up before the fall sets in.

We are planning our PG Family Reunion on August 9, 10, 11. We hope to have as many of our children and their families be here for that event. We will make the most of it during that time. It will be great to have as many of the grandchildren here. Can't wait.

For a catch up on the past couple of months since the last post, Jo recently had a hand operation and is still wearing a cast/splint. Trying to do things with only one hand is a challenge. We've been busy at work and church. That changed last week when I was released. All good things do come to an end, at least for now.

I will try to be more diligent in updating the blog frequently. You all have a great day. Bye for now.

Spring Starts Tomorrow, Goodbye Winter

This is Ipo, our doggy. She has the run of the house and yard, and if she happens to slip out the front door, or garage, or yard, then the neighborhood is her domain. We resort to a reliable and proven method to get her back to the house, bribery. She know how to play the game, and she's very good at it. Above all, we know who rules in our home.

Now for more less important things in life, and Ipo could care less, let me proceed.

You ever notice how time moves so slowly until you don't want it to move at all? You all probably suffered as much as we do with daylight savings time. Yeah! We never seem to adjust to it for a couple of weeks.

Since the beginning of the year, winter has taken it's toll on us. You're cold all the time, you boost the thermostat a few degrees in the home, you boost it in the car while driving, you even turn on the bum warmer in the car seats if you have them, just so you can feel the warmth.

So when spring comes, you start to appreciate the longer daylight, warmer temperatures until July and August, and you realize the grass is turning from brown to green and starting to look shaggy. Whatever your plans were, now you have to start to plan to cut the lawn, water, fertilize, and if you're realistic, pick up the winter dog poop, prune the fruit trees and start the gardening.

With spring, comes the dreaded allergies. For the most part, I don't suffer from the pollen, dust, house mites, etc. Just from the yard and garden work. Our doggy is affected by the grass. Strange but true, it affects

her paws. Maybe the solution is to put some shoes or boots on her.

There's just no end to spring time work.

I "STOP" for local food!

So this month, we're taking the much relaxed approach. Valentines has come and gone, not a bad celebration, just kept it low keyed. We've got a few family birthdays to celebrate and also and anniversary, ok two of them, our youngest daughter's and or own (37th wedding).

Anyway, the point of this post is to say that anytime I come across some information about a new eatery of local (Hawaiian foods), I stop, and take note. I was reading the newspaper the other day and came across an article about a "poke" contest held recently. It was there that I found two local kine food eateries because they happen to be the judges of the contest. It renewd my interest in local food places. Add that to the less than handful I know about along the Wasatch front, I feel like I'm almost in luau land.

Hawaiian poke (seasoned raw fish)
1 pound Ahi tuna
1 teaspoon Hawaiian salt or sea salt
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, roasted
1 tablespoon small dried shrimp
1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 small onion, sliced into slivers
Cut tuna into 3/4-inch cubes and place in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt, sesame seeds, dried shrimp and red pepper flakes. Using your hand, toss gently.
In another bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil and oyster sauce. Add soy sauce mixture and onions to the tuna and toss gently.
Servings » 8

Now, let me count the ways, first there was "Bamboo Hut" which changed management from local Hawaii outcast to totally non-hawaii ownership. Signature trademark still is the BBQ ribs, still ono!.

There's "Sweets" in Provo still serving some local favorite plate lunches, still in business, BBQ or Teriyaki Chicken still ono.

Of course, keeping the hawaii connection is L & L, a young favorite in the islands and now here locally. They have an assortment but my favorite is the laulau plate and kalua pig. The laulau is real, wrapped with ti-leaf and cooked like at home, probably in a pressure cooker. The other stuff on the menu is alright but for real locals, gotta go for the laulau.

Another local is Matiki's which seemed alright but they have only opened irratically. Must be the economy. They're alright, friendly, work hard, and cook your food while you wait.

Up in Salt Lake county, there are probably more but the two that caught my stomach are "Mo Bettah Steaks" and Pounders Grill. Mo Bettah Steaks is a plate lunch stop, serving pulehu steaks or teriyaki style, plus some other offerings like kalua pig, chicken, etc. Trendy, not bad menu, great bust u mouth food. Friendly atmosphere, great vido of the islands, the ocean, the surf. Eat it there or on the go. As for Pounders, I haven't stopped there but will soon. Gotta keep local food in my opu.

So, the question, why is the local (Hawaiian) food stops more attractive or onoliscious than say the mainland foods? I donno but taste bettah to me!

What To Do For A Weekend Getaway?

I've always seen those travel commercials where they bait you into taking a weekend getaway and have all

these exciting things to do to have fun. Just like cramming for a final but more fun.

But us, we're more practical people who don't usually pick the fun things. I say it's a matter of perspective.

Tops on our list was to take a trip to California and first get out of the inversion filled air we were blanketed with. that alone is a good reason to go to the west coast.

Another winner was to attend the baptism of our grandson, third one to be baptized. There were conditions first, before we headed off to California. The weather had better not have a forecast of big winter storm in the picture on the traveling days, going and returning. Second, was that we had to rearrange our appointment schedule with work and church, got to make sure we have coverage. Third is that Ipo needed boarding, sort of a sleep over at Bubba's house, she doesn't travel well in the car. And fourth, we needed to make lodging arrangements at Nellis AFB on the trip down and on the way back.

Well the checklist went off perfectly, car loaded with travel stuff, emergency storage supplies (200 lbs. hard white wheat, and numerous vacuum packages of yeast), camera gear, church clothing, and of course, ice chest of snacks.

The exciting eventful thing going down was furiously eating clementines and oranges before we get to the California Agriculture inspection station. The guard inspected our ice chest and discovered the apples in there and asked where we got them, from Macey's of course. And he let them pass. They were only interested in the home grown stuff. Good to know for future reference. We were ready to give them up at the check point.

Another thing learned is that if your GPS plans out the trip for shortest distance and travel time, it's probably better not to deviate. As I took what I thought to be the shortest known route, it only added more travel time. Lesson learned going to California. (We decided to follow the Garmin lady's direction for the return trip, wrong! It took many, many hours longer due to the first of three storms hitting the California coast.) Next time, buy yourself a map and plan it your own way.

The best part of the trip was spending time visiting Nikki, Dan, and the kids. We had an awesome baptism service for Pookie, great time visiting and getting to know our twin grandsons, Squdge and Q-mouse. They are the cutest things. They laugh, giggle, smile, burp, spit up, and other normal things for their age. The best part is that, the whole family pitches in to take care of the little guys. Gabby, Bun, and Ethan help feed the twins along with Mom and Dad, and Hammy makes sure that they are amused with their little mobile toys.

I should mention that Pookie had both sets of Grandparents in attendance and his Uncle Ben for his baptism.

The pictures in this post are from the trip.

Remembering the Warmth

While driving to work this morning, our car recorded the outside temperature as 5 degrees. The news on the radio were saying in some places it was in the negative readings. It is cold, cold, cold. The only advantage this morning was that it didn't snow, that would mean slick road conditions, slow driving, farther distances between cars, slipping and sliding all the way, Ho, Ho, Ho!

I looked at one of our daughter's blog this morning and she shared pictures of our family trip to Hawaii. So, as we remember the warm days and evenings there, I thought I would share some warm thoughts of family and friends.

We made a point to attend church at the branch where my parents attended for many many years. There are still family and friends that remain. They in life, maintain that special spirit of Aloha! So with our families joining together, we visited the Honomu Branch. There we enjoyed the Sabbath, with an "aloha style." We visited with the matriarch, "Auntie Abbie" who is such a remarkable lady. Even at the advance age of 94 years young, she leads the music in Sacrament Meeting. Such a good family friend for all these years, she brings joy to us all and especially Mom, who is 87 years. We visited with Gail, her daughter, who is a longtime friend and even was our daughter Leslie's Young Women leader back in the early 90's.

I noticed our grandchildren just having fun with Auntie Abbie's great grandchildren. So, another generation of long lasting friendship begins. We also were blessed to visit with my brother Dean and his family. It was such a great visit, family and friends.

So, on cold, cold days such as this, I look at pictures of our trip to Hawaii and remember the warmth there. Oh yea, we got to see where the volcanic lava flow entered the ocean to create more land. Wow, what a trip.

Got Beach?

When you go to Hawaii, you've got to schedule some beach time. We did just that and had a blast. Our favorite hangout is Bellows Beach in Waimanalo on Oahu. Of course, you've got to get past the "rent a cops" at the gate entrance, and then the beach is all yours. There is a small Air Force Station there at Bellows, but the beach is awesome.

Our family got to swim, boogey board, bodysurf, and make sand castles on the beach. Lucky, the weather was fine and the water had no jelly fish which sometimes are found. But no worries, we spent the time well.

Our grandchildren had great fun there and we even had a picnic. When our children were younger, as a family we would spend up to a week of our summer there at Bellows. Talk about some tanning time, wow. Anyway, it's a great place to spend some of the vacation time.

Return from Paradise

I guess everyone has their own idea or interpretation of what "paradise" may mean to them. Years ago, we chose to leave paradise for a more manageable life on the mainland. Looking back, we feel we made the right decision for our family. We visit the islands whenever we can get their for a reasonable price or when we may have too, say for family reasons.


Two weeks ago, we took the opportunity to travel back to the islands again for a family vacation and to see my mom who is not getting any younger. We got to see the sights, eat the food, enjoy the weather including the higher humidity, shop at the swap meet and the courtesy of the local drivers, " eh! go ahead, I give you chance." Wow, it was great.


We were also accompanied by two of our daughters and their families. We all met up in Laie to stay with our youngest daughter and her family.

Instant mayhem, or just lots of family in one home. It was great to see the young cousins play together. Maybe to others, it was instant insanity, but we all managed, and had fun. Got to see our extended family, you know, cousins, and other friends. Such a choice opportunity.


We took a trip to the Big Island or homeland, and visited my mom, sister and her family and other family members like my brother and his family, aunts, cousins, and dear family friends. Such a memorable time there. We celebrated my mom's 87th birthday early and had a great time.


Our time at the swap meet seemed too short, or at the beach, or being with family. In all, the trip was worth it and makes us long to return again very soon.

Fall Pilgrimage to Mt. Timpanogos

For a couple years now, we make an annual pilgrimage to the Alpine Loop, a road that takes one to the east side of Mt. Timpanogos. We look forward to the changing colors of the trees on the mountainside. It make for such a spectacular spray of colors.
The colors don't last very long especially with the colder weather fast approaching. We took the road up AF Canyon and so did hundreds of others. On this particular day, we enjoyed sunshine, clear skys and such awesome colors.
We took the fork to Cascade Springs to capture a different view of the colors. The trees were in bright colors of reds, yellows and oranges. It was a sight not to be forgotten. We hope you enjoy the Fall Season.

This Blog Is Still Alive, Just On Life Support!

I am sorry for not posting to the blog in almost two months. So if you are out there, stay tuned and I promise this blog will be updated. A lot has happened in almost two months. We are well and trying to keep up with everything. So much has happened in our family's lives that we need to fill you in on. Other milestones have been passed, and we're still here in PG.
I'll add photos soon and bring you all up to date. Stay tuned!

Ohana Get Together, Where's The Beach??

We don't often have family get togethers where it's better we find a park or picnic ground to hold our gathering. Well, since there is few times we have one, any good reason is reason enough.
My nephew and family were in town for a family reunion for his wife's family. Well, since they travelled far, we asked if we could meet our side of the family. Their schedule was flexible and we made it an opportune moment to gather everyone possible together.
Now this is big time for us, with my nephew Aley and Sarah and their family visiting the area, we had our daughter Leslie and her children visiting us already, my nephew Jarom, who is attending BYU in the area, daughter Erin and her family and my nephews Aunt Alisie and her children, and us. We were fortunate to reserve our home Stake Picnic grounds, because all the local parks were taken. July is big on family reunions here in Utah. What a fun time we had on a warm day.
Above, picture of Erin and Ruby, trying to bear the heat of the day.

Here, our eldest grandson Christian tries out this new skate board or whatever board along with cousin Henry.

Here, Aley with daughter Audrey.

Close-up of Audrey.

The runner, Aley IV, just kept running around the picnic area and having fun at it.

Serious cousin discussion, Aley IV and Theodore check out the sand pit.

Family group shot at the picnic grounds.

Cooling off at home in the family room.

No better time than the present to hitch a horsey ride on Uncle Jarom.

Aley IV was having fun with Ipo.