The Fun Continues after the Reunion

Although our family reunion officially ended Sunday morning, July 5th, we enjoyed having some family members remaining for a longer visit.  Four of our granddaughters had arranged to attend Especially For Youth (EFY) July 6-11 at BYU, which gave us extra time with their families.  The granddaughters have been good friends through the years, all now 15 years old:  Scott and Kristine's Shannon, Curtis and Marla's Maren, and Todd and Beth's Megan and Amanda.  Rachel (Brent and Tauna's daughter) had not made previous arrangements to attend EFY, but we were glad she could stay with us that extra week, returning home with Curtis and Marla's family when EFY ended.

Megan, Maren, Amanda, and Shannon 

ready to attend Especially For Youth at BYU.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Isaac's Birthday
   

 Celebrating Isaac's 6th birthday.

We were happy to have Doug and Shannon's family 

remain after the reunion to share

the birthday fun with us.

(Isaac, Brynlee, and Rebecca)

 Isaac opening his birthday gifts.
 

Moving from the pool to the playground

to enjoy an Otter Pop freezer bar.

(Rebecca, Joshua, Ethan, Isaac, and Jacob)  

 Mason, Isaac, and Rebecca

 Corban and Paul with Sarah

 Joe

  Jacob and Corban

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Hike to Grotto Falls

Located about 7 miles up Payson Canyon is the Grotto Trail, commonly known as Grotto Falls. The trail is a great one for all ages, beginning from the parking area just off the Mount Nebo Loop Road.  It follows a small stream and curves its way through the forest. In a few locations you cross the stream on large logs, which adds excitement to the trail for the kids.

 Our hike to the Payson Grotto 

had been an optional event for the reunion, 

but it didn't happen until afterward.

We went with Beth, Rebecca, Ethan, and Joshua;

Scott, Kristine and Jenna;

and Rachel. 

It was an enjoyable hike 

even though we had to wait inside the grotto

for a sudden rainstorm to let up a little.

The Grotto may be something

we will want to include for a future reunion.

(Rachel and Jenna)

 Waiting out the rainstorm inside the Grotto.

(Sam, Kristine, Rachel, Jenna, and Beth)

 The Grotto waterfalls.

 It was nice and cool inside the Grotto.

(Joshua, Ethan, Rebecca, Grampa and Gramma)

Rachel and Jenna

* * * * * * * * * * * *

After the rain, a beautiful rainbow.

 The rainbow arched across the sky reaching

from horizon to horizon.

(July 9)

 Trent might be reaching for the pot of gold at the end!

The double rainbow doesn't show in the photo,

but it was impressive to see this brilliant rainbow

stretch across the sky.

(Jenna and Rebecca) 

 Another rainbow several days later.

Look closely and see the double rainbow, 

which is in reverse color formation.

(July 18)

 

Another look at the double rainbow.

 Nature can be very beautiful.

A brilliant sunset looking out our front door.

Our Family Reunion, July 2015, Part 3

Scott and Kristine posted a proposed itinerary for each day of our reunion.  It included an optional hike to Payson Grotto followed by ice block sledding on the morning of July 4th.  We found our neighbor's backyard provided a handy place for the ice block sledding, but the hike to Payson Grotto got postponed a few days later for those still here.

 

Scott and Kristine shared breakfast duty
on the Fourth of July with Ryan and Tani.
Scott created pancakes in various shapes if requested.
What will Ethan's pancake turn out to be?
There were choices of toppings for the pancakes,
as Megan is discovering.

Part of the early morning breakfast goers.

 Our reunion t-shirts designed by Scott
with the flag design on front having the 
names of all 60 members of our family 
forming the flag's stripes,

and the back displaying the same names

as branches of a Sam and Narene Ireland family tree.

Front of the t-shirts
with all 60 of our Sam and Narene Ireland family names.


* * * * * * * * * *

Ice Block Sledding
Using the Slicer by Ice Meister 
which was designed and patented by Scott.
http://icesled.com/ 

Matt and Monty

Sarah and Anna enjoying the trip down.

A unique landing.

 

Anna is not so sure now that ice block sledding is fun.
(Trent, Monty, Matt, Brittney, Ryan, Scott, Jeff, and Doug;
 Derek with Anna on the sled and Sarah taking Anna's picture;
 and Corban is playing with the ice trays.)

 

Brynlee getting Kate and Mason headed down the hill.

Brynlee and Mason have a turn down the hill
and got a shoving start from Isaac.

Brynlee helping Kate and Rebecca get started.

Mason is on his way.

 

Mason and Miles doubling up.

Derek videoing his own ride with Ryan's camera.

Austin and Isaac's turn.

Trent is changing the ice tray (left).


 
 Amanda, Shannon, and Megan
coming back from ice block sledding.


Box Boat Races
Creating and Racing

The storage room became a workshop for boat building.
Monty is checking out the features 
that Matt is busy creating, and
Brittney and Joe oversee the process.
Derek is also working on his design.
 All five are wearing their reunion t-shirts.

Ryan and Ethan 
building their boat on the ping pong table,
while Zack and Joshua are busy in the background 
each working on their own smaller boat.

The cardboard box boats are ready 
to launch and be timed on their races across
the pool and back.
Isaac and Brynlee are off to a good start 
using their creative oars.

Brynlee exchanged her cardboard oar
for a real oar for the return leg of their race,
which facilitated an easier turn around.



Ethan is steady on course.
Brynlee and Mason are about to reach the finish line.
The run was deemed successful if the boats
held up long enough to get the riders home.



Jamon and Austin had a unique design for their boat
with small holes for looking out and for the oars.

Jamon and Austin are currently in the lead
on the return leg of the race,
but Haley and Maren's boat is still seaworthy
and making a successful turn around
with the opportunity to catch up.

 

Joshua and Zack are intent on keeping their boats
on course with a race to the finish.
Notice Zack's added feature of a cupholder
on his boat, which provided him with a
little refreshment on his cruise.

Jared pushed Rebecca across the pool for a ride

after Joshua finished his race.
The boat appears to be losing some if its seaworthiness,
as did several of the boats before reaching the finish line.

I haven't included photos of all the cardboard boats, 

but the event turned out to be a fun one for the sailors and for the spectators.
Although the "sailors" may have kept track 
of their winning times,
all were considered winners if their boats
made it to the finish line.

The remains of boats can be seen at the left
of the pool in the photo above, and some pieces had to be 
retrieved from the bottom of the pool later.

* * * * * * * * * *

Potato Car Races
 

Zack watching his potato car go down the track.

Trevor and Ryan making sure their "cars" are
ready before Derek pushes on the starting lever.

Looks like this heat involves cars created by
Curtis, Brittney, and Kristine.

Jenna and Trent watching the car races.

The winners of each heat raced again,
and Jamon's potato car was the final winner.

More Family Time

Derek and Sarah's Paul 
is the youngest member of our family.

Amanda teaching her hair braiding skills to Shannon 
with Megan and Maren getting the hairdos.

Cousin time.
(Maren, Megan, Shannon, Amanda, Brynlee,
Kate, and Rachel)

Visiting and games are always favorite priorities.
Amanda did the fancy braid on Shannon's hair shown here.

(Playing cards are Ethan, Megan, Jared, Haley, 
Trevor, Maren, Megan, and Shannon.
Standing are Seth, Sam, Rachel, Weston, Doug, 
Tauna, Curtis, Brent, Grampa, and Amanda.)

Amanda watching the card game
being played by Shannon, Trevor, Maren, Ethan, 
Haley, Trent, Jacob, and the two Megans.

Saying "goodbye" to Brent and Tauna and children
as they left for a visit with some of Tauna's family
before returning home to the farm.
We were glad to have Rachel stay for another week,
 as she traveled back to South Dakota
with Curtis and Marla's family.
(Sam, Weston, Seth, Brent, Rachel, and Tauna)

The evening of the Fourth of July
was enjoyed playing games and watching fireworks.
(Ethan, Anna, Kate, Rebecca, Mason, Miles, and Brynlee)

 Happy Birthday, America!
We saw fireworks in the skies around our area,
and fireworks were provided by Scott and helpers in our backyard.

The next morning was the official end of our reunion
with family members taking home happy memories.