How to Have a Great Family Reunion

1. Get as much family together as possible in a great place to stay. We counted about 35 adults and at LEAST 20 children under the age of 12. My generous grandpa rented several of the buildings at Brighton ski resort for us all to stay in. We all had our own rooms (except maybe some of the kids), and the accomodations were wonderful. This family reunion usually happens at my grandpa's cabin in Arizona. We all cram in, sleeping on couches, floor, shared beds, and some camp outside. This year, it was in Utah to make it easier for some of the family to make it (at the sacrifice of all the Arizona family who had to travel more). We are very grateful to Grandpa for providing such a beautiful setting for our reunion and to all those who were willing to travel more than usual to make it easier on some of us who are more removed from Arizona.

This is my mother and her sisters, although Grandpa is standing in front of Donna. Then, there's Sharla, Leslie, my mother (Diane), and Eileen.

My mother is the oldest, then Donna, Sharla, Eileen, and Leslie.

2. Do some fun dancing.

3. Play cards as much as possible.


4. Make sure the kids have fun. There were at least two pool tables that I know of. This one was in the main lodge. Eleanor loved playing with the balls just like the bigger kids. Naturally, she couldn't reach the table, so she had to sit on it.



On Saturday, they also provided several crafts for the kids so the parents could play some games and spend time together while the grandparents supervised the children. That was a real treat.

5. Have relay races. In the past, all generations seemed to get involved in the relay races, but this time it was mostly the younger kids. In this picture, Eleanor was just bringing back the potato and spoon she was allowed to play with after the spoon races were over. Her "relay" of the potato was more of a wandering one.

Connor was rather enamored with Kourtney. Apparently, he wasn't the only young boy who was confused by the pretty girls who were off limits, but there's no harm done. They'll understand when they're older.
The spectators.

My adorable niece, Callie.
Addie (Sherri's oldest) and Zac running back after racing to blow the first bubble gum bubble.

Of course, Matt and Laurie couldn't resist a little friendly competition.

I let a couple of the kids take some pictures with my camera (with my help). Callie took this one of Ethan. I just love it.
Toby (Sherri's son) took this one of Eleanor.

Cute kids! Callie, Addie, and Connor.

Connor was being affectionate with me. He shows his affection by squishing his cheek against yours. I was happy to receive it.

6. Get all the families to do some wacky skits!

This is the Hathcock family, showing us what family home evening is like in their house.

Kelli (far right) got engaged during the reunion! Her fiance drove up from Arizona, secretly asked her parents' permission during the day, and they took her to meet him right after their skit so he could propose at sunset! I'm so excited for her!

And, it wouldn't be a Rogers reunion without the Hathcock girls dancing around, while Bob (their dad) looks oh so cool.

Grandpa wrote a poem about all the changes that happened to the reunion this year and about how he kept getting out-voted on things.

I told you the skits were wacky! This is my sister, Beth, and her family (minus Isaac) and Mother and Gary doing a lipsink (sp?) to Grace's favorite Carpenters song. Can you guess who's supposed to be Karen?
James and Lia and family, doing a lipsink to a song about how the house is never clean.

Here's Matt and Laurie's family skit:

And a little "Rogers Idol" happened during the skits.

It wouldn't be a reunion without someone impersonating Grandpa and Grandma Nancy.
"Scott Left Texas."

While Scott was on his mission, the Hathcocks danced to the song "God Bless Texas," but changed the words to "Scott Bless Texas." Now that Scott is home, the Taylors changed the words again.

We had SUCH a great time at the reunion. I didn't get much sleep because of card playing. Plus, Eleanor came down with a bit of a cold on Friday and didn't sleep very well as a result. It was so good to see all the family again. I hadn't been to one of these reunions for 6 or 7 years! Too long! Very few of them had met Grant at our wedding, and so I got to introduce my little family to everyone. I have such a great family. Everyone is warm and welcoming to new people and people they haven't seen in years. I am so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful group with so many who have such strong testimonies. I hope we can all remain on the path and teach our own children the important values we learned from our own parents.


To finish out the Utah trip, we got back to the valley on Sunday and paid one more visit to Michael and Lucero. They took us to a little cafe they had discovered while living at the hotel and being forced to eat out for every meal. The food was wonderful. We had empanadas and passion fruit smoothies. Yum!

The high chair had wheels on the bottom, so it soon became a game of David pushing Eleanor around in it. Eleanor really enjoyed the ride. David is a strong little guy!

On the way home. Eleanor did better in the car on the way to Utah than on the trip back, but she still did quite well, all things considered. She invented a game of "open, shut" with her feet.
She also liked putting her feet on her cheeks.