Nielson Family Reunion 2013

We spent our last few days in Utah with the Nielson side of our family. 

Sunday, July 21st we headed down to Provo for Eli's blessing. We were so lucky to be able to do our babies' blessings back to back which meant we were able to be there for Eli's. They blessed him at church and after the meeting we headed back to Rex and Nat's for brunch. Natalie had prepared quite the spread. It's a good thing normal dieting rules don't apply when on vacation or while nursing! Uncle Lane and Holly came up from Oak City and Lane and Cara came down from Idaho. It was nice to catch up--especially since now we live on the east coast, we don't have our annual yearly Memorial Day reunion. I wish we saw them more!

Cara holding Claire

Following the blessing we swung by Grandma and Grandpa Patton's to say hello and introduce Claire to Grandpa. Suzan, Lauren, and Kyle were all there so we talked for a while before heading back up to Park City to say goodbye to Monte and his family and to pack up our things.

We rented a cabin in Midway from a friend of Aunt Suzan which was perfect. Last summer we stayed at a beach house in Maine. It was lovely but Eric and I weren't too keen on our sleeping arrangements (in the den...on a futon...with three doors...and the only tv...during baseball season). We weren't really that nervous and last year wasn't really all that bad but we were quite relieved as we walked into our upstairs suite--with a bathroom and room for Claire's port-a-crib. With rooms and bathrooms for all the adults and a basement full of toys and bunk beds for everyone else it was awesome.

On the back of the cabin was a deck with a swing which overlooked the lawn area. It was perfect for playing games and Aly, as always, did not disappoint in the game department. If you ever need good game recommendations you should talk to Aly because she always has the best ones! 

Cosmic Catch

Henry in action

On the back porch swing watching everyone in action.
What a great big sister Lucy is!

Baby Eli

I want to put a picture here of Claire and Eli next to each other. 

They are six weeks apart but they are the same weight and length. 

I just don't remember who took the picture...

Head's up on the iphone.
It's a great App.

You play this game by putting the phone up to your head and everyone sees the words and gives you clues, trying to get you to say the word. If you get it right you tip the phone down and it gives you a new word--kind-of like reverse Catch Phrase. It's super fun. 

I snuck up behind Eric, Hazel, and Claire from inside early Monday morning.
They were having a good chat. 

From the front. 

Monday morning we all loaded up into our cars and went to find good fishing. Well, some of us were looking for fishing--the rest of us went along for the ride. We headed toward Mirror Lake and found these two smaller lakes/ponds along the way. We hiked around the pond, had lunch, took naps, fed the babies, and relaxed. I forget how beautiful the mountains are and how much I miss them sometimes!

Henry Fishing--Take 1

Eric helping Henry out. 

Henry Fishing--Take 2

It doesn't look like Henry is very interested...or maybe Eric stole his pole?

Spectating

Going for a walk

The many uses of a walking stick

Taking a nap with a rock for a pillow. 

I believe this is where Peter did a bum drop on sleeping Eric's tummy

This is where Eric became the tickle monster and Hazel came to assist Peter.

This is where they ganged up on him and Hazel became King of the Mountain.

Cutie-Pa-Tutie

This is the face of a man who didn't catch anything. 

No explanation needed.
Never thought this would seem like a totally normal picture to me...

Nana

On our way home we stopped at this waterfall. It was great. It was shady and down lower you could go wading and dip your feet in--which Claire did. We could have gladly spent more time here but it was time to head back to the cabin.

We are N-E-V-E-R going to the Grand Canyon.

Dad, it's cold!

All worn out.

Finding his second wind.

The next day we bummed around Park City. We played at a great park and had a picnic before we split up with Papa and Nana taking the kiddies to Despicable Me 2 and the rest of us hitting the Outlets. We met back up at the cabin for dinner later. That night Aunt Suzan came up to play with us as well. We got Mexican take-out and played gamed. I must be getting old or just recently be getting a lot less sleep than normal because without fail I am out come 10pm or 11pm. I so wanted to stay awake but with droopy eyelids and Claire's middle of the night feeding on the horizon Eric and I turned in early. Apparently there was quite the game of Trivial Pursuit and if you are ever picking partners you want Dad or Suzan on your team...

Wednesday we headed down the Canyon to Sundance. We packed sack lunches and lunched at the base of the mountain. First on the list of things to do was to take a family picture. I guess that is what comes with the family reunion territory and since it isn't that often that we are all together in one place we had to oblige the mama. 

Next we had to decide if we were going to ride the tram or hike to Stuart Falls. Worried about a potential storm (that never surfaced) we decided to head to the hike. It was packed with people--maybe because of the 24th of July holiday. Eric, Claire, Henry, and I led off and made great time. Eric wore the Ergo all the way up and then when he and Henry wanted to scramble even higher I reclaimed my baby for safety reasons and started back on my way alone since I am quite a bit slower than I once was and I wanted to get back before Claire decided she was done and ready for food. We made it back no problem and passed several families with littles that were much worse off than us--think toddlers with no water refusing to move and others with stinging nettle on their hands...

Spitting seeds...which, in Henry's case, means sucking the seed and then spitting the whole thing out without cracking it open.

Before heading down.

At the bottom.
The water was soooo cold. 

 Eric told Henry he would take him up top if Henry stuck his head under the waterfall.
This is us picking our way through the rocks so Henry could immerse. 

A very brave soul

Up top

Later that night we went to a park to light off fireworks. We were worried about restrictions but I don't know why. After we headed back up to the cabin the neighbors started lighting off HUGE fireworks in the driveway--definitely not the legal ones.

I don't know how I feel about Claire in this picture.
Doesn't look too safe to me...

Such a fun time! Getting together with everyone is so wonderful. It amazes me that even with 10 days in Utah we didn't have time to do all the things we wanted to. I guess we'll have to come back! Yeah for Christmas.