Luke Family Reunion 2011

One of the best parts of summers is reconnecting with family at reunions. Though the Luke reunion turned out to be a great success, planning the reunion felt a little like a season from Days of Our Lives... a bit of a drama fest! It was on, it was off, it was in Farmington, it was in Inkom, we were going to Lagoon, we weren't going to Lagoon, it was on, it was off... get the picture? However, we persevered and conquered--because we all know that nothing is more important than family relationships and rekindling those bonds.

Sadly, we missed day 1 of the reunion because Justin was working. We hear we missed out on a super fun day of boating. On Day 2, we met at the downtown Salt Lake City cemetery where all but three of the prophets are buried. Clark and Kari took the kids on a prophet scavenger hunt! When the kids found a headstone, they made a color rubbing of the prophet's name in their record book and got a treat. At each headstone, we listened to stories of faith and sang hymns. We were reminded of not only our family's heritage, but our church's heritage--and the sacrifices that were made to provide us with the joy of the Gospel in the latter days.

Carson, Jace, & Kate

Pretty sisters--Michelle, Shaylyn (niece), Suzy, & Kari

McKenna & Kate

Carson

Buddies Carter and Ashton hopping from headstone to headstone.

So cute!

Kyler, Chandler, & Carson at President McKay's grave.

McKenna, Grandma Luke, & Heather

The Luke Family at President Hinkley's headstone.

After our prophet scavenger hunt and a delicious lunch at Hires, we headed to a gymnasium for a few hours of pure fun. The kids ran, leaped, flipped, and bounced to their heart's content. By the time we left, the sweat was flowing freely--evidence that fun was had by all--both young and old!

Kyler and Heather in the foam pit!

(By the way, this pit was like quick sand! If I hadn't had help getting out, I would still be there right now!)

Kathy and Kimberly

Justin demonstrating his youthful gymnastic skills.

Poor Justin... he tried forever trying to pull himself up and over this bar.

So close... yet so far away!

Suzy bracing herself for the tire roll!

The entire Luke Family playing a parachute game.

SO FUN!

Ashton fell in love with fun cousin Tanner!

Pathetic sisters posing their sexiest look in front of the gymnasium fan.

Remember when I said I had a lot of those goof ball pictures a few post ago?

I wasn't kidding.

The day ended with a delicious dutch oven dinner at Eric's beautiful home.

The kids were introduced to a Luke cousin they had never bet before.

Genevieve--Eric's sweet, old dog!

A walk through Eric's yard was really a hiking adventure! The kids loved it!

While waiting for it to get dark for our final activity, the kids enjoyed basketball... INSIDE!

I just had to include this funny picture!

Stan loved standing at the entrance to Eric's indoor slide... because he felt so tall!

To close the reunion, Clark and Kari planned a surprise activity. In the darkness, families were grouped together and were told to simply "follow the light." Together we walked through the night--led only by small glow-in-the-dark bracelets hanging from the trees. Along the way, we were stopped and tempted to go an 'easier' or 'funner' way. Here is Carson being lured with candy by cousin Caden. The temptation was just too strong! We had to drag him away from the delicious huckleberry popcorn!

Kyler--bravely leading the way in the darkness.

On the right by the tree, you can see "The Light!"

The Iron Rod... almost there!!

After enduring our dark walk, we were greeted by Grandma & Grandpa Luke's open arms.

They were dressed all in white.

(Shortly after this picture, I got in a little trouble for wrecking the moment with my camera flash--but aren't you glad I did?)

Behind Grandpa and Grandma Luke, a large tree was glowing--covered with the glow-in-the-dark bracelets. We sat around the Tree of Life, sang, prayed, and listened to testimonies. We were counseled as a family to be strong, to remember our purpose, and hold strong to the Irod Rod--so that one day we would sit again together in the life to come. What a touching and memorable way to end our reunion.

I once heard that the definition of 'a blessing' is anything that brings you closer to God. I can say, without hesitation, that my family is a blessing. I'm so grateful to be part of such an amazing, faithful, and fun family.

Mr. Personality

Aren't the two's supposed to be the "Terrible Two's?" If they are, something's wrong with my kid... because at age two, Ashton is absolutely delightful. Seriously. I love this kid! Yes, he makes messes for me continually, but more often than that, he makes me laugh! My mom came to visit yesterday and got to spend a little more time with Ashton than usual... and her comment was:

"Well, isn't he Mr. Personality?"

Yep. He is.

Here are a few 'out take' photos of Ashton from our recent family photo shoot that didn't make Facebook.

Summer Fun with the Groesbecks

While the Groesbeck family was in between homes, we got to spend a fun weekend with them up at Grandpa & Grandma Luke's cabin in Island Park. The evening we arrived at the cabin, we found the Groesbecks in the back on the lake. My kids were so excited--they literally shed their clothes at the entry of the cabin, dressed in swim suits in record time, and cannon balled in the water before I could unbuckle Ashton out of his car seat. The cabin neighbors very generously offered the use of all of their boats--and they had tons! The kids played for hours--switching from one boat to the next. I think those few hours just might be the funnest two hours my kids have had all summer. They were in paddle heaven!

Kenna & Grandpa Luke

Carson & Jane Ashley

Julianna & McKenna

Cute Kyler

A boatload of cousins makin' memories!

Jana, Ashton, & Me

Jaden & Jake

Kenna & Kyler... kayaking together!

So many boats in our little cove... so much fun!

Grandpa & Jaden

Fourwheeling around the loop!

Ashton would have done this all day!

He really believed he was driving that thing!

A few days later, we met the Groesbecks again at the new water park in Rexburg. For the kids, it was like Disneyland. For me, it... wasn't. The park was so packed--it HAD to be at capacity. This made it really hard to keep track of the kids. Plus, we went during Ashton's nap time-so he cried almost the entire time and refused to get in the water. He stopped hollering to pose for the picture below because he is seriously photo trained, but once I pressed 'click' the hollering started right back up where he left off! A migraine was setting in by the time it was time to go home, but Kenna, Kyler, and Carson had a blast with their cousins, and that's all that matters!

Ashton deserves an Oscar for playing up this fake smile.

He was soooo not happy!

Buddies

Can you spy Carson?

The one activity all day long that brought sleepy Ashton true laughter...

The older Groesbeck kids--Jessie, Jake, Josh, & Jaden--were amazing with my younger kids. They played and played and played with them--always making them feel special and loved. Usually, older kids have little to do with the younger ones, but the Groesbeck kids were not that way. I was so impressed with my sweet nephews and nieces. I can only hope that my kids grow up as kind as Jana's.

The entire weekend felt bittersweet--playing, laughing... and all the while knowing that these times would be few and far between in the future. Nonetheless, we'll take the bitter with the sweet. We were so grateful to spend a special weekend with the Groesbecks!

Jan's Goodbye Party

I have five sisters. Twenty years span between us. We are in different stages of life--three are grandmothers, four have elementary aged children, two work full time, one has 10 children, one runs a store, one runs marathons, one is an impressive cook, another teaches music... but underneath all the hobbies and jobs... we share a common thread... a thread that is unleashed when we are grouped together...

We are TOTAL GOOF BALLS!

I can't tell you how many pictures I have that resemble something close to this:

I just love being with my sisters. Whenever we're together, I forget my weary-stress-filled mom duties as I get lost in an atmosphere of laughter. With our large families, it's rare for us to be together all at once, but those few opportunities are truly cherished.

Well, we were crushed when we learned that those opportunities would be even fewer with news of our sweet sister Jana moving to California. So, how do sisters show their grief and lovingly say goodbye to their parting sister? By scaring the living daylights out of her, of course!

Yes, weeks went into planning a proper kidnapping attempt to give Jana a surprise night out on the town. With shower caps, goggles, silly string, bubble-blowing guns, and Mission Impossible music in tow, we caravanned to Twin Falls to show dear Jana just how much we cared! However, as we entered the city limits, you can imagine our rage when we discovered that Jana's husband was unable to keep our shopping-loving sister detained at her house. She was totally thwarting our plans! As we stewed in the parking lot car over what to do with our uncooperative victim, we decided to rely upon the only tool we had:

Lipstick.

Well, after re-scheduling our pedicure appointments twice, we finally got the call that it was time to go get what we came for! We were pretty surprised when Michelle whipped out her son's wrestling out-fit and Mom obediently put on her assigned kidnapping out-fit after refusing to do so for weeks. And we were off...

Behold:

The Scariest Kidnappers Ever!

With the Mission Impossible Theme music blaring, we burst into Jana's kitchen--showering her family with silly string and demanding "the blond woman... and any cookies from the kitchen!"

Jana was confused by the strange looking people running through her house with her sister's voices, but when she finally realized that her mom and sisters had gathered together in honor of her--she was shocked, touched, and totally willing to leave her groceries on the counter at a moment's notice. Let the partying begin!

We kicked off the night with pedicures for everyone!

We felt so pretty!

Afterwards, we went out for dinner, frozen yogurt, and then headed to Sister Lori's house for a Sister Sleep-over. Lori was a fantastic host--stocking the fridge with our favorite drinks and even leaving candy boxes on our pillows! After watching a fun movie, our oldest sister, Michelle, pulled us together for what she called--a "roast" on Jan. But in her oldest sister wisdom, Michelle gave Jana the most beautiful advice about change, blooming where you're planted, and letting your light shine--no matter where you are.

Well, Jan's road to California has been a long one... but as Michelle predicted, it hasn't stopped Jana from being the amazing person she is. After a week in California, homeless, and staying in a stranger's home, I called Jana--only to find that she was babysitting the neighbor's children she had just met while one of their family members was in surgery. That's Jana. Letting her light shine.

I will miss my sister with whom I connect with so strongly, but I really am happy for her ward, her neighborhood, and her future friends. They are so lucky.

In a thank you letter to all of her sisters, Jana wrote: "Thank you for taking the time away from your families and sharing the weekend with me, giving me reason to laugh, more calories to burn, lifting my spirits, giving me strength, giving me hope, and reminding me how blessed I am to have eternal sisters and eternal friends, no matter how many miles away I am."