Larsen Family Reunion

It's that time again! Every other year my dad's side does a big family reunion with around 100 people. It's a good time getting together with everyone. This year, we started unofficially on Sunday by getting together at the Easter Cross. Originally built by my great-grandfather, it stood on the foothills outside Provo and was the site for non-denominational Easter sunrise services for many years. It was vandalized and knocked down sometime in the 1970's and recently restored and moved to a cemetery nearby. So cool to be able to share in this part of my family history. 

Monday morning we drove out to a campground/resort in eastern Utah. We met Sharon and Stuart and families met in Kamas for lunch on the way. 

We signed up for a little cabin this year, since we weren't really feeling up to multi-day camping. 

It was right on the extremely swollen Duchesne River, so that was a little stressful. We kept a close watch on the kids. Luckily the cabins were on higher ground- the river actually flooded the whole tent area the first night and everyone had to relocate. 

The resort was gorgeous. Down the road a little ways was a pond with paddle boats and kayaks. We spent a few hours enjoying the water and beautiful temperatures. 

Lots of mealtimes at these big picnic tables. Good food, too!

And a dance party on the first night!

I guess pretending to sleep is Maddie's new thing? Pretty cute anyway!

The girls' first experience quilting, and they really loved it. More than I thought they would. Reagan could pretty much do it herself. 

Here comes trouble on two feet!

A pinata on the last night! We actually left right after this instead of the next morning so that Lance could go to work the next day. 

It was refreshing to spend time with extended family members that I don't get to see often. I also really appreciated the family history book that my cousin put together which included lots of pioneer stories. It came in really handy for Trek the next week!

After the reunion, my mom and dad and Sharon and the kids came to stay with us for a couple days before they left. 

Sams Club run with the babies! I think Maddie pinched her?

And the train museum in Ogden! I knew my dad would love the firearm part, so we made it a must-do. 

Ringing the (very loud) bell. 

Love all these adventurous kiddos so much!

That night we did homemade pizza (a Larsen tradition) and we even convinced Dad to make a lemon meringue pie (he didn't take much convincing). The perfect way to say goodbye to so much wonderful family time before everyone drove home the next day!

Back Home

Disneyland was just the start of a very busy month for us. We enjoyed our time at home for the next week. We got back late Saturday night and had a short night before early church the next day. Patriotic little girls honoring Memorial Day! 

We also had the rest of Daryn's birthday- cake and presents!

A big girl pedal bike for Daryn!

Sadly, Daryn suddenly started not feeling well and did not eat one bite of her very specifically requested dinner and cake. She did throw up 4 times, however, but thankfully it passed quickly. 

So fun to celebrate this sweet girl over an extended period of time. More about Daryn at age 4 later. 

Monday was spent at home, playing in the yard and the pool. 

And learning how to ride bikes! She struggled at first with the pedaling but soon got the hang of it. 

Madelyn had homemade ice cream for the first time- I think she was a fan, to put it mildly. 

And she stands at the bathroom stool to get brushed (teeth and hair) now!

She continues to be the cutest thing ever. 

The girls had their last t-ball game. They ended up missing almost half of the games because of cancellations and being out of town, but they loved it so much and it was a great experience for them. Definitely signing up again next year!

Cutest team ever and Coach Jason was great. 

Reagan had her last day of kindergarten and I forget to get a picture except right before she got out of the car. (Yes, they had 3 more days after kinder graduation. Don't ask me.)

Sharon and her fam drove back to Provo for the week after Disney so on Friday we drove down and met them at Cafe Rio (after a stop at Marissa's. Catching up with her is the best!). This was the spot where Lance and I went on our first date nearly 8 years ago! He couldn't be there (the guy's gotta work sometimes apparently) so Reagan took the picture. How things change- and only for the better!

After lunch we took all the girls to a trampoline park. They all had a blast! Maddie really bonded with this tiny bump.

Until she got brave and climbed all over the big jungle gym. 

Daryn finally tried the trapeze and wouldn't let go. 

Reagan was her normal fearless self. 

Next was a stop at Costco for a few things for the reunion and big frozen yogurts for everyone to split!

And last but not least, a short visit to BYU campus before the girls were completely worn out and it was time to drive home. It was so great to spend so much time with Sharon and the girls- I can only imagine how fun if they lived closer!

The next day, Grandma and Grandpa came to stay with us ahead of the family reunion the next week! So much excitement, so little time!