Family . . .it's about time.

I have been going to the Jensen reunion for as long as I can remember. I love that my dad's family makes family a priority. The reunion is almost always the same time each year, and everybody makes valiant efforts to attend. Sometimes, when we are packing and getting ready, it seems like a lot of work for a small amount of time, but once we get there the kids have a blast, we catch up on old times and new times, and then all the "work" is worth it. It makes me think of the LDS commercials . . .FAMILY . . .it's about time.

We spent one day in town with all the cousins. The first half of the day was spent at the pool, and the kids had a great time. I think every one of us went down the slide. Brittany had a blast being thrown by her dad into the water. Jensen swam so much we couldn't keep track of him. Brookyn showed off all of her swimming strokes she has been working on this summer.

The evening was spent at the park. Karen's family did a great job with dinner, the traditional water balloon volleyball, and Minute-To-Win-It game. I think everyone who went had a really good time (even Brittany who ended up with an ear infection . . .but that's a whole other story.)

There was a lot of four-wheeling (and maybe a lot of discussions on whose turn it was to actually drive). We loved that Grammy was there with us, and she looked SOOOO cute in her bandana. What a good sport she is.

Wade (with much prodding from his bossy sister) fit in some time for a paintball war. Although some cousins (who shall remain nameless) forgot their paintball guns & gear, a war or two raged on anyway. Afterwards, the little guys had a blast emptying the paintball guns

Saturday was Jensen's birthday, and we celebrated it in style in the mountains. He enjoyed his presents (squirt guns, new halter & reins, cowboy attire, odds & ends, and what he really, really wanted . . . .a knife sharpener.). Thanks Just Grandma for the cake, and everyone else for making his birthday special, even in the mountains.

What camping trip would be complete without sitting by the fire? The girls had fun roasting starburst and initiating all those who had never tried one before. For your information, tootsie rolls just aren't the same. It has to be starburst.

Wade took the kids geo-caching, which was a great activity. Every year we enjoy swimming across the pond to the island, and trading something "special" for something in the cache on the island. Two years ago we made our own geo-cache to commemorate our camping experience, and we thought we would make it a tradition, so this year we added another geo-cache. Good job Wade!!

Weather and time didn't allow a lot of swimming time, but we did make some time to swim (float) in the pond.