Big Horn Oleson Reunion

I love attending the Oleson Family Reunion. It is during the same weekend and at the same place each year. The four main families take turns providing a meal during the weekend. This year, the LaRae family provided the Friday night dinner, which is the first for the weekend, which meant we needed to get there early this year. (Some years we don't get there until after 10:00 p.m.) We all got there on time and the dinner turned out great. We had sloppy joes, which we made the day before, chips, celery, carrots, grapes, and three different types of dutch oven desserts (made by Mike and Kelli)

In the evenings we usually gather together in the lodge to dance, visit, and catch up.

Below: Top Right: David had his wisdom tooth out a couple of days before and had a dry socket and infection. Not fun. Lower Left: Carter had been in some ashes. Lower Right: Sammy lived with Nick and Hayley for six weeks, he was always holding Adelyn. He was having fun holding her again after being gone for a couple of weeks.

There are always plenty of activities to do.

TR: Hunter, TL: Michael Oleson, LL: Hunter, LR: Nick

I don't think there was a quiet moment up there with the motorcycles going 24/7. (actually Sunday morning was a little quiet)

TL: Jackson, TR: Casia and Karissa, LL: David Oleson, his boys, and Caleb, LR: Sammy

Getting ready for the Stick Horse Rodeo, started a few years ago by Jill, Sam's cousin.

TL: Aliza and Steven galloping over for the event, TR: Oleson boys ready and waiting, LL: Mike waiting with Maddie and Maren, LR: Me, Callin, and Steven getting a picture for the August birthday calender for next year. Our birthday's are on the 25th.

Here we go!

TL: Getting ready for the Pledge of Allegience, TR: Aliza just after rounding a barrel, LL: Sam and Mike carrying Maren because she fell and got hurt, LR: The kids marching in.

The kids had fun finding petrified wood that was put out afterwards, then Randon, Maren and Riley had fun building up this spectacular fire. Sammy and Pat, well, this year they made their own fun. Someone had brought dry ice up, hum, what can we do with that?

Dad was getting ready to leave Saturday night to drive home, so I quickly gathered all his children to get a photo.

David, Kenny (on tippy toes), Dana, Kelli, Dad, Clint, Nick, Megan (also on tippy toes), Steven and Sam

I also had to get the Seniors of the group (just kidding, they were out there playing and dancing more than any of us)

Sam, Franci, Ken, John, Janis, Cheryl

Two days just isn't enough time for a reunion. It was a wonderful time and can't wait until next year.

Cousins Camp Utah

Day 1

This probably wasn't the best "day one" of cousins camp, but while we were on our big walk, these three boys, plus Aliza and Abby were in charge of the younger kids.  

This is what we found when we came back.

They did a great job.  Summer Bridges were done, the house picked up, and everyone still happy.

Mom told the kids she would have a special treat for them when we got home if they did a good job.

So she gave each child some money and reminded them to pay their tithing.

Later we got some pizza and went to Draper Park to let the kids run and play.  They needed it!

Thanks kids for letting us spend your first day of Cousins Camp on a walk.

10 Year Dental Reunion

April 22-25, 2010

It's amazing how it has been 10 years since Sam has graduated from dental school.  It doesn't sound that long ago, yet it feels like he's been practicing forever.

When we got into town late at night, there were two choices of cars to rent.  A mini van or full sized suburban.  What?  We drive that at home we can't have that!  So, Sam turned on his charm with his scruffy face (he just got in from a hike in So. Utah) and the gal found us this fun Chevy Camero.  

We met up with our friends, the Mays, and decided to play a little golf (Jason and Sam would go golfing occasionally the four years we were there).  We had a wonderful time, getting pushed from the group didn't even worry us.  Their ball came a little too close to us once, and Sam decided to run it over with the cart and smash it into the ground.  He was a little afraid of them after that.

Sam and I went down memory lane.  We stopped by our old house, and the school down the street that Sammy went to for Kindergarten and 1st grade.  It hasn't changed much at all.

While the boys went to some classes, Erin and I decided to go to the Botanical Gardens that they were just getting going before we left.  It had grown so much and looked spectacular.  Especially since it was spring.

The next day we decided to meet up and drive around and see the Winter Quarters Temple.  We were there for the ground breaking ceremony 10 years ago, then moved.  There was also a block downtown, that had some bronze statues dedicated to the Pioneers that had gone through there.  Very beautiful.

 Not as many people showed up than what I thought would, but those who did it was fun to see.  I'm glad we went.  I'm sure in a blink we will be going back for his 20 year reunion.

Blessing #52 A NEW YEAR!

A New Year is a wonderful BLESSING!

Out with the old habits, in with the new.

A time to look back and refocus, refresh, and renew.

This year, we spent New Years Eve at Bryce Canyon again. Anny and Kass with their families came down. Dana and Tony stayed and we had a wonderful time.

We laughed, hung out, took lots and lots of pictures and.....

Danced! Jackson, Max and Zack had the same girls chasing them from last year. Paige stayed with us, so she was involved with the pleading to the boys to dance with the girls, I think they finally gave in. Aliza, who is only 9, danced for the first time this year with Hayley's nephew who is only 8. It was fun to watch, dance and take pictures.

Some of the crew bailed out early, due to tired or sleeping kids. But those of us who stayed, brought in the new year with a BLAST. (I think some of those kids look tired).

Hope you all have a wonderful, fabulous New Year!