Keenan Reunion in SLC

We had a very fun and busy week in Salt Lake City for the Keenan Reunion this year. We decided to drive out and drove just over 10 hours on day 1 and just over 5 hours on day 2. When we arrived we played at the park for a bit until the house was ready for us to check-in. That night we went and had dinner with Pete's mission president. The last time we saw him Henry was about 6 months old- so much has changed since then! It was great to see him.

Sunday we were able to have dinner with a few of Pete's siblings. It was really nice to visit and catch up with Beth and family, Dan and Rachel, and Ginny.

Monday we took the kids to a water park. They all had a lot of fun. Mae put her swim skills to the test when she got into deep water in the kid section of the pool. She was able get on her back, keep her head above water and move her arms until Pete got to her. Lesson learned- even if you're in the kids section and your child walks on the stairs from one section to another it might get deeper than you think. Monday night some of the Lords family were able to come over for dinner. It was fun visiting with them since it has been so long since I've seen them. Brought back a lot of memories too.

Tuesday we left early to hike to Timpanogos cave. The trail was paved, but a mile and a half long with an elevation change of around 1,000 feet. It was a hard climb, but the kids walked the whole thing on their own and did great. The cave tour was really interesting. So many neat things to see. Parts of the cave tour were much narrower than I was expecting, but we made it through. After the tour we ate lunch and went back to the house to rest. Mae and I were the only ones that slept.

Wednesday we visited Antelope Island State Park to see and swim in the Great Salt Lake. It was beautiful surroundings and hard to imagine a time when the water level was so much higher than it is today. Pete and the kids all swam and floated in the water and had a lot of fun. I didn't want to get in and didn't even get my feet wet.

Thursday we took family pictures and visited temple square. While at temple square we did quick stops at both visitor centers, church history museum, and a tour of the conference center. The tabernacle was closed when we went there.

Friday we visited the Fun Center where the kids were able to play mini-golf and do a few rides. They had a lot of fun here- just the right age for it. After that we went to another water park. They love swimming and had so much fun.

Saturday we stared the drive back home. The way home always seems longer, but the kids still did really well. It is nice that they are getting to the age where we don't have to stop so often. A few snacks, audio-books, and coloring/activity books and they're set. We also spent some time asking would you rather questions which was fun. Pete and I were trying to find all 50 license plates and got very close, but never found Connecticut, Virginia or Hawaii.

Rest stop along the way

Tired kids!

Reading her 'newspaper'

I love being able to get together with family and do fun new things together. This year it really hit me how grown up all the kids are getting. Johnny will be heading off on his mission in the fall and it won't be long before others start going too. So nice to have the memories of these reunions.

I always find it a bit hard to come back home to reality and this year was a bit tougher of an adjustment. While we were gone the city dug up the corner of the yard to fix a water main break, a storm took the neighbors large tree down (huge miracle that it didn't do any severe damage), phone line came down, Anne's glasses broke. Very happy that we don't have too much going on so I can take care of things and get back into our routine again.

The bunnies enjoyed our green beans plants while we were away. Not sure what we'll get out of them this summer, but at least the rest of the garden is doing well.