Halvorsen Reunion Extraordinaire

The boys and I decided to go down to the Halvorsen extended reunion this past week.  James and I had already planned out all our vacation days when we decided this so he had to stay behind and work.  The drive went surprisingly well both ways.  On the way down I just got sleepy once--really sleepy--and pulled into Idaho Falls just in time.  Took a 12 minute power nap and I felt like a new woman.  The boys enjoyed watching Newsies, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Little Princess (I forced that one), Annie Get Your Gun, Time of the Wolf, and the Lego movie on our trips.  We also listened to half of Percy Jackson #1.  I was excited because William got into it and I think he'll read the rest on his own.  Mission accomplished.  ;-)

action scenes from the new Monte Bean museum

The boys can't keep away from this little Princess

We went to Provo for the weekend leading up to the reunion.  We packed in a visit to the new Monte Bean Museum (wow!  Its sooo cool!) and a trip to the Provo Rec on Friday.  Just as we were winding up, Logan cracked his head open on the spray deck, so Lucy took Abi and him to the InstaCare.  I was amazed that Sadie handled staying back with me and all the boys so well.  She didn't even cry!  I feel I am gaining some ground with her, which is a great feeling.  She got really excited after we showered and dressed and then played in the little playground by the entrance.  She started babbling all these phrases.  Ryrie was amazed because he had been trying to get her to talk all day.  He kept saying, "She can talk!"  Logan had to get some stitches but he was super brave.  The next day, George fell down the window well at my parents house and got a bump on his head.  He said, "Is my bump better than Logan's?"  I think he meant, is it as bad.  He was scared with his fall.  At first he said in a mournful voice, "I can't go outside anymore.  I can't pet Zeus anymore.  I can't sit on the picnic table outside, cause I might fall off and hurt my Bump."  He got over it pretty quickly and was right back out there!

Saturday we got to eat some yummy shaved ice  and enjoy the heat of a Provo summer.  Nothing quite like it!  Delicious food and garden produce, and great company.  We got to meet Hinckley again--haven't seen him since he was just brand new.  He is tall and busy and has such a ready and sweet grin.  We are glad to have Grey and Kassie in Provo where we can see them more.  Saturday I also got to attend the viewing for a dear friend from the OH 1st ward--Ted Warner.  It is hard to see all the older pillars of the ward growing so old and frail.  I guess it is just part of the pattern of life.  I'm thankful for the many people that have taught and guided me through my life.  I feel very lucky and blessed to have been a part of that wonderful ward.  George got to experience a master teacher in Sister Nelson in his Sunbeam class. He reported that he got to dress up like a pioneer, shoot a gun, ride a horse ("They weren't real, Mom!"), and pick berries ("those were real though!") off a bush.  I'm thankful he got to experience that--what a treat.  Greg helped me learn the inner workings of posting a YouTube video so I can post some How-To vids for my violin students' benefit.  I am excited to make more!

Monday I had the treat of attending the Provo temple with Lucy and my parents.  Lucy has recently become endowed, and this was my first time with her in a session.  I sure felt blessed to be there with her.  It just felt really natural and right that she should be there.  We are excited for her as she heads on to her new adventure, but it is hard to imagine visiting Provo and having her be gone.  I am trying not to think about that too much right now.

The Logan temple is super meaningful for our extended family

View from the back deck of the house we stayed at.  I loved the light in the morning and early evening

King George, surveying the ocean. It met with his approval. He stood watching the waves for about 30 minutes, just spell-bound.

After lunch Monday we headed up through Logan canyon to a wonderful house near Bear Lake where almost all my Halvorsen relatives convened for an amazing reunion that lasted till Friday morning.  I can't believe I was almost going to not come down for this!  It was truly the experience of a lifetime.  Because we live so far away from everyone, it has been a while since I got to visit for a prolonged period of time with these wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents of mine.  What a blessing to be all together in a house and have the opportunity to just sit and visit.  The kids made this possible by basically disappearing from sight for most of the reunion.  They certainly couldn't believe I was making them go to bed ever, and didn't seem to be aware that I waited until about 10 every night to do so!  I'm not sure what George ate--although I am very sure that he mostly consumed goldfish, fruit snacks, and any candy he could beg from willing victims.  All the kids became bonded at the hip with their first cousins and also made some room to get to know some of my cousins' kids.

I loved watching them at the beach of Bear Lake.  There is just something really magical about kids at a beach.  They just seem to thrive off of hot sun, beautiful water, and never-ending sand.  It was fun watching them on the boats, in the canoe, and basically just everywhere in the water.

We also got to experience a pretty cool cave--with a lot of steps.  It was super cold in there, so it was interesting planning for 40 degree F cave weather followed by 100 degree F beach weather.  It worked out great though.  George just got nervous a couple of times in the cave--when the lighting changed to green or red, and when the guide turned off the lights completely.  Otherwise he hiked along like a little trooper and we all enjoyed hearing him and cousin Ruby singing on the way out--all the songs they could think of and make up.  I got to support Lorraine going through the cave.  She made it all the way!  I hope I'm in that good of shape when I'm 90.  She was so upbeat and cheerful and very enjoyable to be around.

preparing for the cold cave weather

We played a lot of games, had a lot of visits, and even had some minute-to-win-it, and some olympic games.

Escaping from it all for a bit.

Moods--what a great game!

I finally tricked Ruby into getting a picture with me--she made a lot of great faces!

The gamers

This little girl loves Grawmpa!

Nana bought the boys this Animalopoly from the Bean Museum.  It provided many hours of fun.

Aren't they sweet?

Had to catch Grandpa slurping up an otter pop.  :-)

We ate some great food all week.  The highlight for me was the homemade ice cream on Pioneer day.  There isn't anything like that--brings back so many memories of family gatherings at Grandpa and Grandma Halvorsen's house.  Another highlight was stopping by for a large case of fresh raspberries with Lucy on the way home from the beach one of the days.  Mmmmmmm.  Bear Lake is known for their raspberries.  I also loved the fact that there was so much history up there.  Bear Lake, Logan Canyon, and Lava Hot Springs (not far away at all), are all really special to the Halvorsens.  It was a real treat to be there with family.  It just felt right.