Utah Trip- Part 2

The next part of our trip was my O’Bryant family reunion at a MASSIVE cabin in Altamont, UT.  Reunions are always a highlight of my summer, because I only get to see my extended family every two years. 

 

We played LOTS of games:

Including Grant’s traditional Backgammon Battle with my 90-year-old Grandpa! 

 

I was put in charge of arranging a photo scavenger hunt that ended up being pretty funny….We had groups squishing into a single shower together, using their bodies to spell out various words, making human pyramids (all ages included!), etc.  Then, my Uncle Burke turned it into a slide show that we watched on the TV.  It was really fun!

 

Olivia even did her own interpretation of the scavenger hunt.  Aunt Erin is always so nice to let her take a million pictures with her camera.  I think she’s photographing a cheese stick here???

We also played a ton of “Minute to Win It” games one night….All arranged by Betsy and Laurie.  They were a BLAST!!  So much better than our usual “Family Olympics.” :)

And of course, it wouldn’t be a reunion without a craft for the girls!  This year, we made silk flowers for our hair + post it note holders + little sewn purse notebooks.  My Aunt Cindy is a crafting genius!!  There’s nothing better than just sitting around working on crafts till the wee hours of the morning, while chatting with cousins and aunts!  SO FUN!

Courtney  .  Lindsay  .  Heather .  Mom  .  Alyssa

One of the days, we had a special visitor in the cabin.  A BAT flew in and couldn’t find it’s way out!  But instead of staying up toward the vaulted ceilings, it kept swooping WAY down low….I was sure it was going to land on my head!  All the men collaborated and ended up catching it with the pool net. Olivia was terrified for her life, but looking back, it was actually pretty eventful.  Whenever she hears the word bat, she talks about the bat that flew into our cabin!

There are always lots of fun kids’ crafts too!  This year, there was a “water” theme, so the kids made beaded giant bubble wands, glitter I-Spy jars, paper octopuses (octopi?), and scuba masks!  Everything was darling and it was so nice to have Olivia completely entertained for the entire afternoon.  She LOVES crafts.

 

Olivia and both Abbys became fast friends.  This Abby (pictured) is exactly Olivia’s age, but she’s actually MY COUSIN, not Olivia’s.  Funny, right?  My dad is the oldest of 8 kids, and Abby’s mom, Kelly, is his youngest sister.  Girl cousins are very few and far between in my generation, so I am glad that Abby had another 4 year old girl to play with (she’s the youngest in her family with SIX brothers!).  It seemed like these two were always sneaking off to play dress up or go on adventures.

While Olivia was off playing all week, Maddie made some of her own buddies.

 

Maddie and Tinley were so cute together!

 

As usual, Maddie couldn’t get enough of Tinley.  She kept poking and prodding and trying to kiss her.  Poor little Tinley just sat there looking confused but taking the abuse willingly.

Both girls loved meeting tiny baby Isabella.

Tinley  .  Madeline  .  Jack   (all of them were a year old!)

Maddie especially loved stealing snacks off of cousin Jack’s high chair. 

And Jack’s favorite thing to do all week was EAT my Mom and Great Aunt Lue Ann’s canes.  Haha!  GROSS! 

Funny little Madeline was SO excited by all the commotion that she started making this funny face and would say “hoo hoo hoo.”

Grandpa was also very excited by the commotion and could often be found doing this….I think I should take a few pointers from him.  It’s not a bad idea!

As usual, Olivia wanted to follow my parents around constantly.  She loves that my mom knows MILLIONS of kid songs/fingerplays/ nursery rhymes/ etc. and can whip them out at the drop of a hat.  Those memories were DEFINITEY not lost in her brain injury.  In fact, I’m pretty sure that I’ve never even heard half of the songs she sings to my girls.  The brain is a funny thing.

        

Most importantly, I loved spending some quality time with my sweet grandparents, and letting my girls get to know them better.  I have so many wonderful childhood memories with them, and I hope for my kids to have the same.

We were SO sad to see the week come to an end.  I have the most wonderful family (and HILARIOUS aunts!!).  My dad has SIX sisters and I love them all.

See you all in 2013!