2011 Monson Family Reunion.

We started our journey out Thursday Morning. On my side of the family (Eves) we had a wedding to go to. Most of the family meet up at Sizzler before we headed to the reception. It was so good to see everyone that could make it. You really realize how much you miss family when they move away, and how you took for granted them living so close. Anyway it was really fun to catch up with a lot of family at the wedding reception, and the kids were in heaven because they had a Candy Buffet.



The next Morning we sported our Monson Family Reunion shirts to head to Lagoon. This was the kids first time, and boy did they have a blast. Especially with the cousins. Everything is more fun with cousins. We got there at 10:30, and the park opened at 11:00, and we did not stop once from sun up to sun down. We had lunch and dinner, and I think they took a total of 30 minutes all together, and then the kids were off again. Later in the day we tried Lagoona Beach, but we only lasted and hour or two, because Shaylee and Addison were to small for all the rides. So we headed off to play in the park the rest of the day. Addison, and Shaylee have no fear, and they only thing from keeping them off any of the rides was there height. So Addison and I did a lot of rides together, while Preston, Shaylee, and Dean, where able to go on a few of the bigger ones. Preston went on every single one Dean did, and I think he went on all the scarey rides in the park, He loved it.




How many Monson kids can you count in the tree? (Oh, this was a BIG Monson reunion, all of Grandpa Ray, and Grandma Tweet's...posterity) so there were a lot of kids.

We got home from Lagoon around 11:30, got to bed by 12:30 or so, and had to be up by 7:00 to go take Monson family pictures. We went to this old LDS church down in SLC that has the most beautiful garden area with a river running through it and waterfalls, and huge trees, it was beautiful.
This was one of the last shots of the day, as you can tell I think the grand kids where all done.
After that it was off for another fun filled day of Monson reunion stuff. First off the BIG scavenger hunt. Can I just tell you it was awesome. My father and Mother in-law put so much time and energy into this, and we loved it. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Monson. There were Three different routes...ours started out at finding our ancestors graves, and putting carnations by their graves. Grandpa had a little story written up about each of them, and how we were related to them. It was really neat to hear.


We also had a stop in front of Deans Grandpa Ray's house where Kirk and all his sister's and Brother grew up. We had many stops along the way...there old school, where they went to college, where they played and a bunch of childhood stories, and places.

That is us holding up our best "Y" signs in front of the U.. all of Kirk and his family graduated from the U so that was on our stop.
Holding up our wax lips, and mustaches, grandpa Monosn use to get at the local candy store or market. All in all it was a great scavenger hunt, we really learned a lot and loved it. We then meet up at a church to mingle and eat lunch, do some activities and just have fun. We had a great time with all our family this last weekend. We woke up Sunday really early to come home, because I had a meeting with our new bishopric. We just got put into the brand new 19th ward, so we went last week to see who was in our new ward. We have had a very fun field summer, with plenty of cousin playing I cant believe we start school in a couple of weeks. YIKES.

Another 4th Celebration

We came home Sunday the 3rd from Centerville, since they had done all their 4th celebration's over the weekend. Hurricane was doing theirs on Monday the 4th. Dean had homework so I took the kids to the Hurricane parade. Oh, It was sad. Only like 15 entry's and they spaced them out so it took like 3 mins tell the next one came. Horses and bikes that was about it. The kids left I think with 2 candies each. We then returned home, Dean, and Preston went golfing while they girls stayed home and cleaned and got ready for our family get together that night.



We invited Dean's Sister Marie, and Brother Quin, and there cute families over for a little BBQ, and fireworks. We ended up playing a few games in the house tell it cooled down outside a bit.

We love this golf ball throwing game (we don't know what it's really called) :) and they kids love to play it too. Uncle Quin, Shaylee, and Allie won this one. Probably because the girls would get right up to the one they had to throw it on and just toss it. Instead of staying way back and throwing it, Oh well though they loved it.

We then got out the little fire pit and roasted the Marshmallows to make some Yummy S'mores. It was a really nice night. Not to hot, but with the fire pit we were all sweating a little. Uncle Quin, and Aunt Dani brought the big campfire marshmallows. I don't know if any of you have seen these but they are huge. They were so big they kept falling off our grilling sticks.





A little later it was onto the firework show. The guys did an alright job, but I think fireworks are a wast of money it's like throwing your money out in the street and lighting it on fire. Anyway sorry about that. The kids did enjoy it and the grand finale was a bunch of fireworks up in the sky. It was awesome. We had a great day spending it with family. It is always more fun when you have someone to enjoy it with.

4th of July Festivities (Centerville)

We had a great fourth of July Weekend. Centerville celebrated there 4th festivities the 1st and 2nd. So while we were up for Dean's graduation we stayed and played with family. We had a blast hanging out with family, and playing on grandpa's 4 wheeler. The views up by mom and dad's house are amazing. Anyway back to the festivities. Friday morning we woke up and the mom's went shopping to get the kids stuff to decorate their scooter's and bikes for the children's parade that night. The kids always do the children's parade, and all the cousin's made it down. They had a blast, and were of course more excited to get to the end of the parade where there beloved Popsicle waited for them.




Then we all went back to grandma's and grandpa's for some yummy pizza,and bracelet making (survival bracelets) which i found some down here they were on sale for 10$ wow, we made ours pretty fast and they were fun for the kids. Then it was onto the firework show. Centerville always does there fireworks the night before so they don't have to compete with other cities. It's fun to watch and the kids love to play in the dark. We were lucky enough to have Marci and her kids join us for a little of the festivities we love when we get to see them.

The next day some woke up early to do the 5K Centerville puts on. Sydney,Marie, Quin, Dani, and Dean all did it this year. Dean got in the top 10 of his age group. He enjoyed it, but of course wishes he did better.
Then it was off to the Centerville parade. It wasn't to hot this year, and the kids all left with plenty of candy. We were at the start of the parade thanks to dad for saving our spots. It was a great spot we get every year thanks to mom and dad.






That night we met up with my brother Matt, Marci, and there family in Park City and went to Dinner, and Ice cream with them. Oh, how we miss those day's and them. After that we ended up at the outlets up there. Where Shaylee got her Ears pierced. I think I was more nervous for her, I forgot to take pictures I was so sad, but I will post some pictures soon, of the cute ears. She was awesome and didn't even cry, Addison let me know however that she doesn't mind waiting tell she is 8. I kept telling Shaylee please wait tell you 8, and she would say No you told me when I was 5, and I will be 6 next month. So she held me to that promise, but after watching Shaylee, Addi doesn't mind waiting at all. We had a very fun, and tiring week up North and where glad we were able to see most of the family.