Island Park Reunion

Every year at the end of July my family tries to gather for a family reunion. 

I haven't been able to be there every year, and was so grateful to be this time! 

I've lost count of how many times my brother Ken and I expressed our gratitude to have this beautiful place to come together every year for our children to make life time memoires. 

Our trip was all of this and more. Beautiful. Memorable. Fun. And full of family ~ Which means it was perfect. 

I feel like the pictures do best at describing the trip. I took more photos of kids and cousins than I did of any adults. Where the kids were we had to be also.. they tell the story best anyway. :) 

One regret I have is my lack of pictures with Grandma Rolfe. Like none. :( But she was there with us, and I know we all loved having her company. Grandma suggested the kids call her GG for "Great Grandma" and I thought it was such a fitting name for her. It was so adorable to hear the kids call after her saying "GG... I love you, or thank you, GG..." 

Take a guess who's kids were up before the sunrise, at the beach, and ready to play!.....

Most mornings, even before breakfast, looked like this. Geared up, playing in the water and sand.

No one will ever understand their love for Chocolate, chocolate peanut butter....

Dad was amazing to play with the kids in the sand, wearing his knees out completely most days. 

They built pools, and castles, kaiaked, tubed, went for boat rides, had movie nights with popcorn, and lots and lots of fun with cousins.  

Scotlin loved the tube. Smiled and laughed the whole time, and loved to wave at all of us back in the boat. 

We enjoyed boat rides, and driving the boat with grandpa.

Movie nights with cousins. So cool!! :)

Playing all day in the sand...

No hands!!! :)

Warming up in the hot tub!!

Dooey was the gold fish cracker King...

Gold fish King strikes again...!

He would just ride in the back of the boat without any movement other than to shovel gold fish in his mouth. ( He was so cranky, and in need of a nap!!)

But, gold fish fix everything. 

While we were there I had a birthday and turned 27. My mom, grandma, and Justin made the day very special for me. I was able to sleep in and take naps throughout the day (What I needed... ). We boated all day, and my mom made a delicious cafe rio dinner later that night. I thought many times throughout the day how very lucky I was to be celebrating this birthday with my family around me. That is all I would have ever wanted!!

Sunday was our last day at the cabin. In the morning we headed over to the church building in the area. I was truly astonished to find the endless crowd of people that poured into the meeting. They church had to build a separate A Frame Building to accommodate the crowds they get during the summer season. As I sat there waiting for the meeting to start, and people continued to flow through the doors, I honestly began to tear up. It was an amazing sight to me. We haven't been in a place where the church membership or influence is very strong in a long time. And it was overwhelming to see the families who entered there and the faith that followed them all. We were fortunate to hear a testimony meeting where the bishopric invited all who spoke to introduce themselves and tell where they were visiting from. There were individuals from all over the United States, and again, I felt very touched. My sweet little niece Brynnlee stood in front of hundreds of people and bore her testimony. It was so sweet to hear her brothers compliment her when she came to sit back down. Kenny leaned over and told me she had made a goal to bare her testimony every month, no matter where she was. What a sweet and shining example she was that day at 10 years old.

Our trip was truly amazing. It's always hard to leave. It's also hard for me to believe we have such a beautiful place to go and enjoy as a family. I know I speak for the rest of us when I say we are so grateful!