STAPLETON FAMILY REUNION
Utah 2018
Papa and Macha picked us up in Millcreek and brought us up to the Bear Lake Cabin for the Stapleton Reunion. It was amazing!
This was a beautiful interpretive hike with some pretty views, and a couple of really neat, old trees.
It was SOOOOO yummy!
I've got all the instructions. Hoping to recreate it at home soon.
The Oregon Trail Center was really fun. We had a tour guide that was really sharp and "in character." We can all highly recommend the tour.
This tour was particularly fun for Aaron and Timmy because they learned all about the Westward Expansion in school in third grade and even have a big concert where they sing songs about the founding of the US and the Westward expansion.
All the kids were able to impress the tour guide with some of their school book knowledge of the Oregon Trail and the history of westward expansion, but no one impressed the tour guide more than Janet (AKA: "the smart mom").
Since she was so smart, she was also put on-the-spot to answer if she would stay with her husband who would die of Cholera to bury him, or move on with the company to increase her families' chance of survival. Man! We are happy that we know about water-bourne illnesses these days!
We learned about all the supplies you would need to bring with you on the journey, the great expense and the dangers. Traveling West was not for the faint of heart!
Macha and Robby have a membership to the Ideal Beach Resort. This gives us access to the beach, pool, tennis courts, mini-golf, and other fun activities, including BINGO night. The kids won a lot of free mini-golf passes, which we really enjoyed.
BINGO
One of the most fun activities we enjoy at the cabin is playing games.
We particularly liked Stratego and Code Names on this trip.
Wednesday was the warmest day of the week, so that was our beach day.
This was "the rainbow unicorn express," according to Cora.
Kayaking, Paddleboarding, hanging out on the island, floaties, playing in the sand......so much fun!
Seth and Brad took turns 2 evenings holding a "campfire" for us for a scouting merit badge. They directed us in singing and skits. It was really really fun, and they did a great job!
Yahtzee with Aunt Nancy!
When you sleep on the hammock you might catch a rainbow or beautiful sunrise!
Timmy and Aaron both had some successful attempts at sleeping on the hammocks.
They also had nights when they came in in the middle of the night. Conditions have to be "just so" to get a good nights sleep. I was happy for both that they each had one really good night the first attempt and enjoyed some beautiful views.
Aaron had his first hornet sting (on his toe) by this sucker that we found later on the ground.
Thursday we visited the Fossil Butte National Monument. It was awesome!
I can highly recommend it!
The butte you see behind this visitors center is the Fossil Butte.
(A Butte full of 50 Billion year old fossils)
The visitors center was very nice, new, and informative.
Aunt Sue had recommended this Fossil hunting place to Janice for a visit, and she had been wanting to check it out a long time.
Despite traffic and hot weather, we were all game to try it out.
It really paid off! What a highlight to the trip!
We were all impressed with how much fun it was to shave away the rock and find fish fossils.
Cora wan't too excited about finding fish, but she was happy when I bought her a lemonade. :)
Timmy, with his 50 Billion year old fish fossil that he quarried!
Note the website and GO!
It was really really cool! $30 for an adult, $15 for a child to fossil for an hour. Might sound pricey, but the owner lets you use his saw to shave the fossil down to the size you want, provides bubble wrap to preserve your fossils, helps you shave the unseen parts of your fossil for you, and gives directions how to coat it to preserve it. We had not idea he would be so helpful and friendly and that we would find so many in a short time. We highly recommend it!
The owner was really funny. We told him how gratifying it was to shave the rock, and he said
"I know, I was hooked the first time I did it!
I have to run this business to support my 'rock habit' " :)
Back in Salt Lake Valley, we celebrated Sophie's 12th birthday with a delicious family lunch at Dan and Janet's home. Happy Birthday Sophie! 12 is an exciting one!Chef Dan makes superb meats, and Janet makes a mean cole slaw. This is another one I need to recreate at home!
Robby the power mom with her Diabetic Kit.
This lady is on top of taking care of Liam, which is not easy. It requires round the clock supervision and care with emergencies even popping up in the middle of the night. Constant monitoring of his blood sugar, measuring his food, estimating how much insulin he needs before every meal...attending every school field trip, running to school for shots during the day....so much constant care.
Thank goodness for a new Dex that Liam has this year that automatically beeps on their cell phones when Liam gets high or low. It's made a world of difference for their family and was so nice to see that working so well for him.
Robby and Kyle - you guys are doing such a great job
and we admire so much how you care for your boy!
We saw some fun shows on this trip.
Scott and I got away for a date night movie to see SOLO, which we had heard mixed reviews about, but we enjoyed very much.
Scott and I got away for a date night movie to see SOLO, which we had heard mixed reviews about, but we enjoyed very much.
One we watched at home was called "The Greatest Showman" which we had heard great reviews about, but it was even better than I expected. We've been singing the songs ever since.
"What if we rewrite the stars?
Say you were made to be mine
Nothing could keep us apart
You'd be the one I was meant to find"
Say you were made to be mine
Nothing could keep us apart
You'd be the one I was meant to find"
If you've seen the movie - you will be belting it out right now! :) Great music!
Many of us went together to see "The Incredibles 2" which was really cute as well.
No picture, but we went to a really nice Splash Pad in Bluffdale. It was fun for all the kids. We ordered pizza and just enjoyed the splash pad all morning.
Scott and I took the kids downtown to see Allie and Sanchit's new place in downtown SLC.
Great apartment! We enjoyed eating out at BUDS sandwich shop together.
Many of us went together to see "The Incredibles 2" which was really cute as well.
No picture, but we went to a really nice Splash Pad in Bluffdale. It was fun for all the kids. We ordered pizza and just enjoyed the splash pad all morning.
Scott and I took the kids downtown to see Allie and Sanchit's new place in downtown SLC.
Great apartment! We enjoyed eating out at BUDS sandwich shop together.
We celebrated Pioneer Day with fireworks.
After the little kids were in bed, the boys, Macha, Scott and I walked the neighborhood to watch fireworks.
All 11 Grandchildren
We flew out on Wednesday night. To make the most of the last day,
Aaron woke up early with Macha and Dad to go rock climbing!
We had a great trip and really enjoyed all the fun activities, games and family time!
Thanks so much to the whole Stapleton Family!
The food, the company, the time together was wonderful!
1 comment:
I sure love that Stapleton family! So great seeing you all and especially Janice on belay! She taught me to rock climb during a YW activity 100 years ago. Such a rock star!
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