Gunderful reunion 2010

Every July we have a big 'ol 2 day reunion with my mom's sibs and children and grandchildren. This year, it was held at Camp Lomia up in Logan. It was beautiful and marked the first time my two "babies" slept in a tent. And they actually did pretty well. There was a big grassy field area with places to put tents along the outskirts. They had little handcarts provided so people didn't drive their cars across the grass to unload. Naturally, the kids put these to other uses.


These girls chose a faster driver...

... but paid for it by being dropped off in the stream.

We always have a talent show and this year was no exception. This is my grandparents favorite part. The rest of us just endure, but luckily now we can pass the performing to the second generation. Here is Lucy and Gracie singing: "On the good ship lollipop"

Elise entertained herself by admiring baby Cannon. She loves him.

Austin played with hula hoops... ...and found out that ice cream sandwiches are delicious!

See ya next year, family!

Random July fun with the fam and friends

Finding trouble

and laughing really hard about it

-----------------Newest addition to the Cole family - baby Cannon. We attending his blessing on July 4. I loved just visiting in the backyard afterwards. Here is a pic of the handsome guys (only missing George and Benji).

And the girls

and the Cole cousins

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Smores in the backyard

Campouts with grandma and grandpa

LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of time on the trampoline and swingsElise: "No hands" (then lets go and laughs her head off)
Hot dogs at the Anderson's - it had been WAY too long since I've seen these fun people!

Grandpa showing his amazing talents of playing the nose-flute
swimming lessons with Bre

Annual (well, its "annual" for me) summer backyard pool party at the Butler's

I always look forward to it!

backyard swimming party with two of my dear Omaha friends.

Thanks for coming out, girls!

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visit to Holden to see dentist Jim.

There's nothing like getting your teeth cleaned and looking out the window to see the horses in the pasture. Love it!

Jim and Mindy are always so good to us to take us around and show us all the farm stuff. Austin was THRILLED with the big tractor wheels.

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Lucy got a pony at Build-a-bear. I promised she could have one for her birthday and she did NOT forget to remind me (several times).

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Cole Tradition - Bees game and fireworks for the July 24th celebration

The game wasn't all that exciting for these two... but the ice cream sure was!

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Takin' it easy

Painted and redecorated mom's laundry room

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Lucy is turning 5 on Saturday. We had a little party to celebrate right before we left.

Loved all the generous gifts. Thank you, family!

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We miss you all! Come visit soon!

Celebrating Pioneers - 3 ways

July 24th marks the day the Mormon Pioneers arrived in Utah. Its a state holiday in Utah, but Mormons all over celebrate "pioneering" in some way around that time. So far in the states we've lived in, its basically been talks in church. But in Utah, they go all out. The kids don't know lots of pioneer history really, so since we've been in the "right place", we've thrown in a few pioneer activities this month.

One activity was a great one at This is the Place State Park on July 9 while Aunt Lacey and Uncle Marker were here. It was family fun day so admission to the park was free and included TONS of crafts (highlight of the day for Lucy), a funny magician (where I ran into my old SA friend Jeannie, who now lives in Ohio!!), pioneer games, pony rides, train rides, etc. What a party! The kids were sad to leave, but bribery with snow cones always helps.

Just look at the determination on those faces! Who do you think was the winner? Grandma Cindy is always a good sport to do whatever Lucy thinks would be great fun.Next activity was just for the "older girls." We had lunch at the Lion House (love those rolls!), then toured the Beehive House next door and learned about pioneer life for Brigham Young and his family.

And we always love looking at all the pretty flowers on Temple Square and feeling the quiet peace there.

Celebration #3 was actually on Pioneer day and Grantsville put together a fun celebration. Lucy walked with some of her cousins in the Pioneer parade. She had a great time trying on all of grandma's pioneer dress-up clothes (and it brought back a few memories for me). The route wasn't really far, but Lucy told everyone she walked "for an hour." Yeah, right. Afterwards, some very hardworking people put together a "Pioneer Carnival". The kids made homemade icecream in ziplock bags, had watermelon spitting contests, made button games, dolls, and candles. The obstacle course was a hit (run by the gymnastics teacher).

The last event of the night was a Pageant (again the work of lots of dedicated people) depicting pioneer events as well as stories from the Book of Mormon and Bible. It was especially touching for me this year. I couldn't quite put my finger on the reasons I was such a crier (not my normal self). Even the depiction of the "miracle of the seagulls" had me going. Maybe part of it is the emotions of moving to a new place (although nothing compared to the pioneers, its still a big change for us - we leave tomorrow). But I think mostly it was the message of strengthening our faith through trials and sacrifice. It was very inspiring.

Thanks to so many people involved in making all three of our pioneer celebrations very memorable.

Luau - Gundi style

We were lucky to hit the 2nd annual mother daughter party while we've been in limbo between homes. Last year it was the fancy princess tea party at Aunt Kristy's. This year, my mom was the host and we had a backyard Luau. All the aunties pitched in for a big blow up waterslide (thank you!). It was lots of fun. Before the big "girls" event, the boys had free range. Uncles helped Elise and Austin go down and although they did fine, they didn't seem to beg for more. Lucy was another story. She went down twice by herself and claimed it "hurt her back." The little pool at the end barely had any water in it and she landed on her bottom both times, so I didn't think she'd given the slide a fair shot. Once there was more water, I told her she should go again and try to land on her feet. She protested. Then cried. I drug her up the slide so we could go up together. She howled. I told her if she went down once with me, I wouldn't make her go again. Reluctantly (and after much debate, screaming and bawling) she went down on my lap. She agreed it was fun, but said she'd never go again. In her defense, during this whole episode my brothers said, "Looks like we have a 'mini-Kimi' on our hands". I must have passed the fraidy-cat gene. Boo!

She is really good at posing though.
We kicked the boys out and started the real party. A Gundi gathering "must" is lots of yummy food.
My aunts doing the "hang-loose" sign. Hmmm... they might need some practice.
Elise slept through most of the party but did wake up in with enough time to eat AT LEAST five popsicles in a row.
Cole ladies

Most of the crew


Lucy told me she "thought the party was so fun because I got to wear a bra and I got a little yellow umbrella!!!" Seriously, can life get any better?!?

Yearly Pictures of the Kiddos

This year's photo shoot was done by Becky. I thought she did a great job and I love it because I have the CD with all the pictures so I can order whatever I want. Is that a good thing or bad thing? Anyway, here are tons of pictures of these little cuties. Some are more frameable than others. :)

I think the following three photos are my favorites of all the kids together. Now I just need to decide...

Austin - 19 months

Elise - age 2

Lucy - almost 5 (next month!)

Random shots...