Family Reunion Time!!!

We finally had our family reunion.  This year we had it up at Lava Hot Springs in Idaho.  We found a place called the Inn at Owl Hallow.  It had 6 bedrooms and six and a half bathrooms, plus a loft and bunk-beds and huge yard outside, so we thought it would be big enough for us all.  We only could book for 2 nights, but it worked best w/ everyone's schedule so we went w/ it.  It ironically fell right on Mom and Dad's 40th wedding anniversary as well, Wednesday, June 24th.  I took the day off and got things packed up and ready to go.  Chris Grayson worked a half day, then came over to our place and rode up w/ us.  Pauline had left the Friday before to go up to Rexburg for reunion stuff at BYU-I, so he rode up w/ us.  We made good time and got there in 2 1/2 hours.  We were the first ones there, then Daron showed up, Mom/Dad, Rose, Pauline and Barbara.  Unfortunately Dexter couldn't make it since Michelle just got a new job, and Anna's family wasn't able to since baby Ayden is still in the hospital.

That night Rose and I made tacos for dinner, then we sang "Happy Anniversary" to mom and dad and gave them their anniversary gift from us all.  Pauline made a family tree w/ everyone's name on it.  It looked great!  Afterwards we had cake and ice cream, then played games.  There was a huge yard so it was great to be outside.  We played volleyball as well!

Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary

The family tree Pauline designed

Thursday, June 25th we had breakfast, then some of us went on a little hike behind the place we were staying.  It was a nice little morning stroll.  Nyles and Ezra thought it was really fun to play in the dirt of course ;)

Chris, Pauline, Ezra, Charlotte and Barbara

Nyles playing w/ a stick in the dirt

Steve, Nyles, Chris and Ezra

Nyles catching a ride back

We met w/ us Rose and Ava who left a little before us.

When we got back we packed up a lunch, changed into our swimsuits and headed to Lava Hot Springs which took about 15 minutes.

Ali, Abby and Sophia ready to swim

Wade, Kristi, Daron, Riley, Haley, Ryan and Mikey (in the back), enjoying the pool

Dad w/ Dallin, yes Dad actually swam for a little while!

Daron, Ezra, Rich and Ryan

Pauline and Ezra

We all took a break after a while and ate our lunches.   After lunch we headed back home to put Nyles down for a nap.  Chris came a little while after us to put Ezra down for a nap as well.  Unfortunately it was REALLY hot upstairs (no A/C) so Nyles didn't take a nap.  About this time everyone else decided to come home as well.  A little boy fell off one of the diving boards and had to be rushed to the hospital.  They made everyone wait while they cleaned up the mess.  Steve and I had just left when this happened so we didn't see it.

Callie enjoying her lunch. 

Once everyone got home, they showered, changed then played around the house.  Mom brought some fun games for the kids like "pin the tail on the donkey."

Dad helping Callie play

Abby trying also

Ava and Rose

Since Nyles wasn't going to take a nap we decided we wanted to go back swimming (since you can come and go all day).  Of course right as we hit the pavement Nyles fell asleep.  So we drove around in town a little bit and let him get a quick nap at least.

We got to see some of the beautiful surrounds while Nyles slept.

We woke Nyles up after a little bit to go swimming.  He wasn't happy at first, but soon got excited about swimming again, especially on a hot day.

Lava Hot Springs Complex, Olympic size pool, diving boards, and kiddie pool area (inside)

Nyles and I going back for round 2 of swimming

Steve taking a selfie ;)

Back to the kiddie pool area (the water inside was 92 degrees).  Nyles thought it was fun to watch the bucket of water tip and pour over.

Steve and Nyles trying the water tubes now.

And now the slides, oh yeah!

After we got home, we had dinner, then got everyone together to play some fun games "Minute To Win It" style.  We divided up into 3 teams and had everyone take turns playing.

Haley, Ryan and Mikey trying to suck up M&Ms

Now Rose, Riley and Brady trying

Abby, Charlotte, and Sophia trying to get the cookie in their mouth w/ no hands, just their face muscles.

Now Ali, Dad and Brady trying.

Dallin, Ryan and Pauline trying to stack the cups

Now Abby, Riley and Mikey trying

Chris, Barbara, and Daron trying to stack dice on a stick

Now Rich, Ryan and Brady

Haley, Barb, and Mom trying to keep the balloons in the air

Now Ali, Charlotte and Mikey

Haley, Riley and Wade trying to roll ping pong balls down on a tape measure

Now Dallin, Ryand and Brady trying

Ali, Charlotte and Sophia moving ping pong balls on a spoon

Now Abby, Ava and Mikey

Sophia after moving cotton balls w/ Petroleum Jelly on her nose

Ali and Rile trying also

Abby, Charlotte and Daron trying to jiggle the ping pong balls out of the box.  

Daron won w/ one jiggle, pretty impressive moves. :)

Now Barb, Dallin and Mikey trying

We then played outside again before bedtime.   

Mom and Callie enjoying the cooler evening temperatures.

Doritos fingers

Playing volleyball

Nyles w/ Dad trying to search for bunny rabbits.  We actually had several around the yard.

Charlotte, Dallin and Ali

Mom playing bingo w/ Sophia, Charlotte, Abby and Haley

Ryan and Dad playing some pool.

Friday, June 26th we had breakfast, then packed and cleaned up to go.  We got a group picture before heading out though.

Hegerhorst Family (minus Dexter and Anna's families)

The house we stayed in

We made it home in good time.  Dad and Mom decided to come down to Utah since Dad's cousin Annjanette Hegerhorst (Uncle Walter's daughter) was getting married.  Dad of course wanted to go fishing, so Steve said he would take him up to Strawberry to do so.  They invited Chris Grayson to go as well, so after Chris got back to our place they headed up.  Steve's dad Dave was kind enough to let them use his boat to go trolling.  Steve also invited his mission friend Eric Seamons to go as well. Mom came to our place and visited a while, then headed over to Rose's to stay the night.  The guys stayed the night at the cabin of course, and got up early the next morning and went fishing again bright and early at 5am.

Steve and Dad out fishing

Dad helping Chris gut the fish.

Saturday, June 27th

Chris and Eric fishing.

Dad and Chris getting a fish

The fish they caught, proud guys!

While they were out fishing, I took Nyles to our Branch BBQ at our church.  As a Primary we were in charge of games, so of course we did water games.  The kids LOVED it !

Nyles trying to figure the slip and slide out

Now enjoying some popcorn, yummm!

After the BBQ Nyles and I went home so he could take a nap.  Steve and the guys also got off the water and headed home.  They cleaned up, then we went over to Pauline's for dinner.  We then all headed over to the reception in West Jordan.

 Annjanette's wedding reception.  Pauline, Rose, Annjanette's new husband Danial, Annjanette, Ora, Walter, Dad, Mom and I.

Nyles, Me, Charlotte, Pauline, Grandma VaLere, Rose, Sophia, Alia, Ava, Summer and Mom.

It was a great family reunion!  We hope everyone had a great time and most importantly that we got to spend some time together as a family.  Thanks everyone for helping w/ the meals.  Love ya all!  Until next time.....