family reunion 2015, part 1: zip line, games for kids, making flashlights and rockets, birthday party

Jake comes from a wonderful, big family--eight brothers and four sisters. Everyone is spread out in different states so we aren't able to get together much, but when we do, it makes for a fabulously fun time! Every other summer we get together for a family reunion, the last one taking place in Idaho during the month of August. 

We had SO MUCH FUN!!! It was so nice to see everyone and catch up with how everyone is doing. So now, without further adieu, I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. (Warning, it's a long post...)

Getting strapped up to do the zip line. 

M and cousin Will 

Jake and M ready to head up to do the zip line. 

Jake doing the zip line. M got up to the platform you see in this picture to do the zip line, but got pretty scared when he saw how high up the zip line was. So he didn't end up going. Maybe next time!

Fun science project/art with Aunt Angie.

Baby J and cousin Reed playing in the bubbles.

Making scotcheroos!

Making homemade flashlights. And more importantly, Eric eating a chili dog and M eating a pudding...

Finished flashlight and a partially eaten chili dog.

More flashlight making...

Air hockey with Grandpa B and M.

Rocket launching! Along with making flashlights, we could also make rockets. So that evening, those who made rockets got to launch them with an air compressor. Coolest.thing.EVER. This was really fun to see how far the rockets went, and they went FAR.

Jake helping M throw together a rocket. M wasn't too interested in making one earlier in the day. Once he saw the rockets launch, though, he was all on board.

Harry, one of the sweetest and funniest kids you'll ever meet, was able to come up for the reunion. He is Eric's son. We love you, Harry!!!

During the week, there were three brothers that had birthdays: Ryan, Jake, and Chris. So we had a little celebration.

Baby J loved that chocolate cake!

Cousins!

feeding the cow

I'm not sure if I have mentioned on here or not, but we live in a basement apartment of a house. The owners live upstairs, and we love them. They are so nice and such wonderful people. A couple of months ago, they were out of town for a few days. They asked M if he would feed their little cow when they were gone, which he excitedly agreed to do. He and baby J had so much fun feeding, that when our neighbors got back, we asked if they would want any help feeding the cow during the week. They gladly obliged! So five mornings a week the kids and I get bundled up to go feed the cow in the morning.

It has been fun for the kids...mostly! There are mornings where M does not want to go feed, but has to anyway. We are thankful for this opportunity, and are hoping it teaches him about work and responsibility.

I get the hay and put it on M's shovel. M drags it over to the cow. We then push the hay into the cow. Miss J watches with excitement. She likes to get right up close to the cow and stare/smile at him. 

Brother Fart

With the new year, Mr. M got to move up to the next class in primary. Exciting thing! After church we asked him how it went. He said fine; he liked it. He said he couldn't remember his teacher's name, so we reminded him. And that was that.

Well tonight while cleaning the kitchen, this happened:

M: "Hey mom, want to hear something funny that happened at church today?" 

Me: "Sure."

M: "So in class, I couldn't remember my teacher's name," he says casually, "so I called him Bro. Fart." 

Me: Muffled snorting as I try to contain myself from laughing out loud hysterically. (Something on his face told me he knew his teacher's name wasn't "Bro. Fart" when he called him that...) "Hmm, I see." More muffled noises as I try to regain my composure, "I'm glad you remember now. We probably don't want to call him that anymore. He probably doesn't like being called that, ya think?" 

M says with a smile on his face, "Yeah, probably not. I remember his name now." After a few seconds, "Everybody laughed."

Me, smiling: "Oh, well let's remember to call him by his real name." 


Bro. Farley, my apologies. Hopefully he does remember your name from now on!