What a load of kids....

9 kids between 2 mom's

and don't they look happy to have their picture taken....

I spent the day with my favorite cousin in the whole world last Wednesday.... Jennalee

we met way back when at the FORD REUNION. Her family lived in Seattle and us in Utah and so her coming to the reunion was so much fun for me. We went to college together after that I moved to Seattle and lived on her old stomping grounds for a while. My Cousin Jennalee has been more than just a cousin to me. She and I have something special... it's a bond that is hard to explain. She helps me be a better person, she inspires me in lots of ways, she was, is, and always will be a ROCK in the gospel & her heart is PURE GOLD.

LOVE YA!

Family TREE

This summer has been filled with REUNIONS for our family.

We have realized the true meaning of a family tree.

we are lucky to have so many cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents who love us and want to spend time together.

Coconut M&M's are you kidding me?

Hey everybodoy have you heard?

coconut M&M's ... YUMMY!

BEAR WORLD

After leaving our family reunion, we decided to take a detour. Where we live there is a road side billboard with BEAR WORLD pasted on it. My kids have seen it a dozen times and everytime they say... can we go... please please please... well, the reunion just happened to be practically across the street! How convienient! So we convinced Dad to take us. Not only were there Bears, there were Elk of several colors, deer, wolves, turkeys, fish, swans, buffalo...and more.

RIDES!! FREE RIDES!!! ANDREW LOVED THEM AND WOULD CRY EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY STOPPED!

can you see them? spot 5 bear teennagers

we were really hoping to see a BRAWL or some kind of ACTION!

This was the coolest thing I've ever seen... I was wishing they had a stuffed animal of him in the gift shop... An all white elk with budding antlers all in velvet. He looked so soft it was crazy... like something from a movie! I would have named him (t.p.?????????)

We had a good time. It was out little mini vacation. I'll take what I can get and be very happy about it. I came away from the reunion and this mini vacation feeling totally re-grouped! Ready to start new projects, organize my life and tackle whatever it is that lies ahead of me. Who knew a weekend in Idaho could do such things. (ahhh but it did so much more than anyone could ever know... I benefitted in so many ways from it.)

I spent one morning here:
REXBURG TEMPLE

What a beautiful temple and the peaceful spirit that I felt meant a lot to me. I always feel it when I'm at the temple, but there was something extra special about that morning trip. Hmmmmm wonder what that could have been?

Highlights.... and I mean HIGH LIGHTS!

Reunions bring out the best in people is what I have realized! Like this picture for instance:

Rhett was one of many who tried out the BIG BALL WIPEOUT! It was quite impressive to watch :)

HUMAN FOOSEBALL... another adventerous game that brings out competitiveness in even the weakest of players.
And then the PHOTO SHOOT of the generations...notice the love we share amongst cousins who have only met for the first time...

I know it was the time of day, and I know it was the camera lense, but this last image to me kindof shines a little bit of light right down from heaven... don't you think? And I think that it was very likely the case... those in heaven peeking down, watching over, and totally enjoying the weekend along with us.

I wish I would have taken a picture on my camera of my mom and my aunts and uncle... those responsible now for this growing crew. We love them, and all that they have taught us and how happy they have taught us to be! Thanks for the good times.

science camp

The kids have spent the past couple of days at science camp. They are having a great time making...

talking about snakes, reptiles and other "ooey" things.
having fun with friends

and learning a lot about cool science stuff!

what do you want to be when you grow up?

I am a FORD

Generation 4 - just a few of them
we went to Wolf Creek/Silver Meadows - my favorite place on earth!

Sorry Samee... but this is just a cute memory of the weekend.

Andy's first tent sleeping experience... not so much sleeping... just smiling and waving at any passerby! Those walls are pretty thin ya' know.

my checker board got put to good use.

All in all the reunion was so good, just like it always is. It left me feeling somewhat contemplative about years past and memories of my own childhood, which I guess is what it's all about; creating and remembering, and celebrating family and memories. I think my emotions about it all boiled down to one thing... I really miss my Grandma and Grandpa Ford who were the ROCK that centered our family. We rolled rocks at heart lake something that my Dad started and we all could do for hours. The hill is steep and the terrain is beautiful. It's God's country and we sense those that are no longer with us, but are with Him there in those mountains. I am proud to be a FORD.

p.s. I really missed all the fam. that weren't there.... my girls.. you know who you are! Love ya!