We just got back from a family reunion in Bear Lake, Utah. It was such a fun trip, one that we'll all remember for a very long time. Bear Lake is gorgeous and Bonnie's brother and her brother's wife graciously let us stay in their beautiful cabin built up in the hills with a stunning view of the lake.
Jess literally took over 3000 photos on this trip and I've narrowed it down to less than 100 so while this post is very long with many, many pictures, just be glad there aren't thousands of them!
On Saturday, we went on a tour of Minnetonka Caves, about 45 minutes from Bear Lake. The caves are very deep and big and beautiful. There are stairs and railings the whole way through and lights as well. The air inside is wonderfully cool and we enjoyed looking at all the stalactites, stalagmites, and cave bacon.
Jess took a ton of photos in the caves but most of them were pretty blurry because of the darkness so here are my favourites that are pretty clear:
Connor and Ella:
Uncle Jaron and Renna:
Uncle Ben:
Everyone:
Cade relaxing at the mouth of the caves:
Jericho and John:
After the caves, we stopped at a roadside restaurant in Garden City, right on Bear Lake, for a delicious lunch which included Bear Lake's famous raspberry shakes.
Ben and Corbin:
Here is the view from the cabin we stayed at. The colour of the water in Bear Lake is really beautiful, I couldn't stop looking at it. The cabin had a great big balcony that was high up but completely railed off so it was safe for kids. We spent a lot of time out there.
Peek a boo Brinsley!
In the evening, the uncles played an exciting game of football with the nephews. There was some intense strategizing involved:
Meanwhile, Hudson and Renna bonded over their shared interest in their parents' iPhones:
We happened to be there for the annual Raspberry Days festival so we got to enjoy a perfect view of the fireworks over the lake. They started just as the moon was rising over the horizon.
I think this is everyone gathered for a Family Home Evening lesson on Sunday night.
Sunday night treats out on the deck:
Aunt Caley and McCoy:
Apparently, there is a pair of moose that live in the neighbourhood and Jess had fun stalking them for their photos. He was the moose paparazzi.
On Monday, we headed to Rendezvous Beach, about 20 minutes from the cabin. The sand was a little rocky and slightly slimy to start with but it was shallow for a long way out and the water was perfectly cool and refreshing and clear.
Ryan, Hudson and Aiden:
Sadly, our minnow nets were never used because we never saw ANY minnows (actually that was just sad for Hudson, I didn't mind one bit!)
Adam and Connor:
Aiden showing his shells that he'd collected:
Grammy and Grandpa!
Renna:
So fun for Maira, Aunt Caley and Grammy were playing with her in the water:
Jaron and Ryan:
Happy McCoy!
Maira and Ella were practically inseparable. They loved playing together in the sand.
Aunt Bee holding a very stylin' Brinsley:
Uncle Jaron takes his sand play very seriously...He even had gloves so he didn't damage his surgeon's hands.
Corbin found Bear Lake sand very tasty. He tried quite a few samples this day.
Brennan:
Renna and Grandpa:
After the beach, we headed into the pass toward Logan where we stopped at a little mountain lake park called Tony Grove.
Uncle Justin working hard to be the Favourite Uncle by taking Connor fishing:
Some of the kids camped there and we all joined them for a hot dog/marshmallow roast.
Some of the Shannons:
And the Jenkinses:
Here, I believe Shae is pleading with me to allow her to eat roasted Starbursts like her cousins are doing. Sadly, that just wouldn't be a good idea on her braces.
Shae, John and Connor looking at something funny and also something tall...maybe Paul?
We spent the next two days at North Beach, which is actually in Idaho, about 30 minutes from the cabin. While much less shady, the beach here was much smoother and no slime anywhere. The water was shallow for a long way out and perfect for kids of all ages.
John and Adam connecting with their inner mermaids:
Aiden and Connor playing in the shallows:
I believe this is the "hot tub" that Maira and Ella worked on for hours.
Why yes, I do have a giant skein of wool wrapped around my knees. What else would I be doing at the beach besides winding up a new ball of yarn?
Back at the cabin after a long day in the sun, a delicious meal was enjoyed.
Apparently Corbin really loves chocolate (and maybe he just really wanted to wash all of the sand out of his mouth from the beach):
Everyone retired to the basement for an Ugly Dance Contest. Sadly Jess and I missed it so I don't have photos but apparently Spencer retains the crown once again...Here are a few little ones who just didn't want to stop dancing:
The next day, we decided to rent a motorboat and a jetski.
Jaron and Jess were kind enough to do the boat driving and spent the whole day pulling people around the lake in the tubes.
That's Aiden on the left. He was pretty nervous at first but I think he still really enjoyed his tube ride.
Adam and Ryan:
Shae and Paul:
As a backup career, Paul could totally fall back on being a supermodel:
And maybe John could too????
John falling out of the "donut of doom"
Spencer:
Spencer and his girlfriend Hannah:
Spencer fell out too!
Caley (aka KrazyKaley) took us out to the motorboat and got pretty good at jumping the boat's wake. It was pretty fun even if it was totally stressing Jaron out!
John and Shae:
I'm sure he must have fallen out after a stunt like this but sadly, I don't have a picture of it!
After 3 days in a row at the beach, all the kids were in desperate need of a bath. Here are Ryan, Maira, Hudson, Renna, and Ella, sharing one of the tubs. What a bunch of cute little beach bums!
We all had so much fun and we are so grateful to be part of such a wonderful family. Let's do it again sometime!
