Grandma Deanie's 75th!

This was such a fun night.  Grandma Deanie turned 75!  Can you believe it!?  As many of her kids and grandkids and great-grandkids as could gather, came to surprise her at "Grandpa's property."  

This is such a special place!  The Bjorkman's spent many, many hours in preparation for the celebration.  

I think everyone enjoyed being together in a beautiful and meaningful place.

The kids played and explored.

The grown-ups visited.

It's fun to see these guys together.

The view behind Susie is wonderful!

Grandma was a very special reason for us to get together!

 

 p.s. Grandma, I still owe you some printed photos!

visits from cousins wanted

We like to play with cousins.  anytime.  :)   Please.
We had the Allens over for a day in August during Education Week.  
This was a payback for last summer when Jenny took my kids for a week.

girls being...girls

How do you play Pokemon? 

Leisel = love water

Then later that week we fit in another visit to Seven Peaks! 

I had a mission to convince the boys that slides were fun!!

Ely's visit and the GrandCamp

Cousin Ely loves and get's along with everyone.  He grows by leaps and bounds every time we are able to catch up with him.  Now he's three, can express himself well, and has lots of things to say. 

He has a zest for fun things :)

Here's the busy bunch having lunch at Renee's.

and popsicle time

This year, Grandpa's campout was different.  Not many of the dad's could come.  And since Rachel was joining in...all the other mom's also wanted to.  We had lots of fun and mixed things up for poor Grandpa.

Camping in Koosharem was a real treat--afforded by Uncle Jeff.

Family heritage at it's best.

catching grasshoppers in the evening

   

I didn't hear Jordan's story with this photo till the next day when he prepared a talk for Primary on prayer.  Jordan and Uncle Ben came to find Aunt Amy and the girls in answer to their prayer when the 4-wheeler wouldn't start.  Jordan stayed with them while Ben went to get more gas.  It was an experience that showed him a great example and strengthened his faith. 

I think the kids like climbing on them more than riding them....

We drove through some spectacular scenery and visited some Anasazi ruins.

Then we took our hike to Calf Creek Falls.  Tessa was a champion and I enjoyed hiking with her the whole way. 

Wow.  The reward.

The next day, we spent a little time exploring at Fish Lake.  It's another spot with some family memories that I enjoyed reminiscing about.

Jenny, the brave soul, shared the piece for her Pocatello Civic Symphony audition.

This is the "girl's hiking club" led by Grandma. :)

Grandcamp was a different kind of success this time around, but a success.  

Golden Spike and Rocket Display

We were able to make it to the Golden Spike historic site with the Clarks in August.  Our visit was timed during a Railroader's festival and a reinactment, so the kids enjoyed some fun activities.  

log stoking competition

Right after this a big wind gust blew a tent over and clobbered Jordan in the face.  He carried around an ice pack for a while and got special attention from the Rangers for being a trouper. 

Riding with Aunt Susie on the electric car :)

Dancing to "This Land is Your Land."

Then Grandpa showed us his rockets!

The sun is always shining when we visit ATK

fun with cousins!

I love it :)