JFR 2012 (it's loaded!)

Jensen Family Reunion 2012. Such a blast!

My brother-in-law's family was kind to let us have the reunion at the lodge they just purchased. We had the whole thing to ourselves. It was up at Alta (a ski resort) in Utah. Simply heavenly.

This year was Ryan and Amber Lee's turn to plan the reunion and they did a superb job.

The best part was being together which just doesn't happen enough. Getting to know all the cousins better and watching them grow closer is priceless. Sure love my family.

Everyone arrived on Saturday (Doug was the only MIA...sadly).

We kicked off the week with games at Falcon park, put on by Erika and Chad (we call him Sarg b/c there's another Chad and he's a police officer). They had so many great games and wonderful prizes for all. Highlight: all the grandchildren getting grandma and grandpa with water balloons.

Mariam's award...so proud.

The wildflower festival was up at Alta the first weekend, we took the kids down for activities, including a wildflower hike to get educated on the ones up there. They were very stern about not stepping off the path and picking them. Upon our return to the lodge Dave said, "anything on our property is fair game." So the kids picked many bouquets of Indian Paintbrush of all colors, showy Daisy, sticky Geranium, Yarrow, and even tasted some cone flower! The flowers were beautiful all over the mountains.

Paige's wildflowers for Mom

 Monday morning the men went golfing (always takes way longer than we plan) so the ladies took the kids on a hike in order to earn a badge for their 'kids kamp' vest. Karla was in charge of kids kamp, she's so creative! The kids packed their own lunches and then we stopped and taught facts about nature. There was even a quiz in order to receive a nature badge.

I love this picture because Lilly is looking so sassy...as always.

We all cheered Jensen on and he was so proud he began to run up the hill. I love that boy.

Lilly and Paige eating lunch at "the top"

The gang at the top- Ryan joined us last minute right as the golf trip ended. Isn't that serene?

Ahh, miss Leah. She finds all sorts of courage around her older cousins.

 We went into Salt Lake City one day. Hit up the Church History Museum/Kids muesum, visitors center, and City Creek. Then the men took the kids home and the ladies had a night to themselves.

We talked this guy into letting us ride one of these six-person bikes for $5, it's usually $5/person. Count on the Jensen clan to get that deal! We had a blast and I was sweating...because apparently a few of the ladies weren't peddling. 

We ran into our cousin Brooke at the Cheesecake Factory and got to meet her fiance.  Then enjoyed a quality GNO with all the ladies I love. Wish I had taken pictures there!

Not pictured: Mom and Grandma.

We ran almost every morning- the altitude killed every last one of us. Not to mention that we were at a ski resort so there were a lot of hills. I wanted to run to the top of one of the ski-lifts by the end of the week. I did it the last day, Liz made it half way with me but then had to deal with some GI problems, and I know all to well you don't mess with the runner's trots. I successfully ran the whole thing, I don't know how far it was or how high I climbed but it was tough!

Liz and I once I came back and met her, all things good now!

The view from half way up the mtn. The Lodge on the right is the Pratts. Its a beauty!

The view from their deck. I really miss Utah clouds and sunsets. There's just so much romance in these clouds...too bad my hubby was gone. And see this little hill leading up to the lodge...doesn't look like much but it killed us at the end of every run, not to mention sprinting up it for JFR Olympics. Good times.

Laura provided an awesome craft for the ladies, a birthday board. Such a great idea.

The spa wasn't heated yet which provided the perfect entertainment for the kids...yes that is 3.5 feet of water Aubrie is supermanning into.

We participated in the sidewalk chalk contest at the flower festival, never found out who won.

Ryan put on a fabulous FHE reenactment of Samuel the Lamanite on the wall. Ryan was a tough-as-nails ring leader.  

One of the highlights for me was JFR Olympics. We were split up into four teams and competed in a variety of events from minute-to-win-it games, ancestry match-up, sudoku, frisbee toss, and a team relay. It was a blast, planned so it included even the kids.

Dad doing one of the minute-to-win-it games.

Our team was the 'bottom-kickers'. Oh and yes, we took gold!

Erika brought home the bacon on this game, woot woot!

Mom did awesome her first try but didn't realize the chap-stick needed to stacy stacked for 3 sec. Poor mom.

The kids had to shove a yogurt, banana, two oreos, and follow it with a glass a milk into the guys' mouths. Jay annihilated. My dad hates bananas...good sport.

Karla and Dave are awesome. They led such a great kids kamp, wish I had gotten more pictures! 

They earned five badges: crafts, hiking, nature, archery, and one for participating in flag ceremonies each day. Dave even sewed the vests last minute. The kids were so proud.

I think this was opening ceremonies

The day we went into SLC, we got special permission to play the piano in the Church History Museum. It belonged to our ancestor, J. Spencer Cornwall, who was a MOTAB director. She played a piece she composed in memory of Joseph Smith. It was very touching.

Playing in the city creek fountain.

Liz is always a good sport.

Sarg Chad, Lily, Leah, Erika, Paige, Jensen. We loved Erika's new man. He fit in so well.

The girls and I stayed a few days after everyone (thank you Grannie Rae). So we met up with Grammie (Doug's mom), who treated us to Thanksgiving Point. We had such a great time at the petting zoo, learning about farms and how they work, etc. We love Grammie!

Inside the "jail house" The girls kept asking Grammie to play jail with them. She's a great playmate.

We even got to go on a carriage ride. This was definitely a princess carriage and the girls were beaming.

The pony ride. Surprisingly Syd even got on!

And to top it all off, I met up with some of my favorite people from NYC. The Brenchly's and the Eastman's. They were our family away from home, we miss them. 

Loved visiting with them, even though it was way too short.

Natasha, me, and Heather. So many good times.