Family Vacation 2009

Our family vacation this year was unexpectedly changed last minute. Just prior to our planned trip to Utah I received a surprise message on facebook from a cousin whom I had never met. After I replied to her it seemed as though what began small became much bigger very quickly. Kind of like a small snowball rolling down a hill and becoming this ginormous ball. You know? Anyway, shortly after I messaged her, I received a message from my biological father, Mike. I have not been in contact with him for the majority of my life. My mother remarried when I was very young, so I grew up in a home with both a father and a mother.
Even so, my curiosity about the possibility of other family members being out there had always poked at the back of my mind. Hearing from Mike and Amy, my cousin, was quite unexpected. Because we were already headed to Utah for our family vacation, we decided to just travel a bit further south to St. George for it and meet everyone. We made a pit stop at my brother's house on the way there. While there he also made the last minute decision to make the trip.
This is me, my grandmother Halle Spencer, and my brother. Halle is 84 years old and had a stroke last year.

My brother, Mike, and myself. As you can see, Mike looks like Santa Claus. He plays the part during the Christmas season. Kind of crazy, huh?

Here is Mackenzee, my Aunt Paula, and Landon.

Mackenzee, Halle, Landon....

Landon, Greta, Halle, Alina, Austin, and Mackenzee. Poor Landon had just been body slammed before all of these pictures were taken. A few tears were shed before he tried to suck it up for the camera. :0)

We went to Snow Canyon while we were in St. George and were able to take a quick climb on some of the gorgeous red rocks around there.

Greta, Holly, Alina, Mackenzee, Austin, Landon, and me.

Here me and Holly are giving all the kids a boost up the rocks.

Can I just tell you how glad I am that I don't live in St. George. The red sand all over the feet of these kids drove me crazy! Could you imagine getting that all over your carpets? Not to mention that it was 110 degrees outside!

We went to this Family Fun Center where we played mini golf, did bumper boats, and went on the Kiddie Karts.

Everyone got super soaked on the bumper boats, but I think they were pretty grateful after sweating in the sun during mini golf.

This is Amy with me and my brother. She is the one that first contacted me on facebook.

We had a good time and were glad we were able to go and meet everyone.

Crystal

Family Photography

Paige Elizabeth

Riley Todd

Genea

Burnham Family Reunion 2009

We were able to make it to the Burnham Family Reunion this year on July 10 and 11. One of my favorite parts about these reunions is that they are low key. It gives everybody the chance to chat with everyone else, the kids can run and play, and I can just sit back and relax. :0)

Here are just a few of the pictures I was able to take that weekend.

Aren't these girls such cuties? They had so much fun playing together. Ashlyn, Mackenzee, and Kamryn {I hope I spelled that right Jamie!}...

Who says grown men don't act like little boys? All of them were out on the dock at Bass Lake showing off their crazy jumps. Dolphin dives {ouch!}, cannon balls {there were some big splashes there!}, and other miscellaneous jumps that I don't think even have a name. Big talkers....big splashers....it was funny. :0)

Caleb was so good about taking all of his little cousins down the slide with him.

Tom, Savannah, and Emilee canoeing at Bass Lake.

Kenzee made all of us laugh so hard when not only did she feel she needed her life jacket and Dora water wings, but the floating donut too.

Paige, Jaysen, Jamee, and Jace at Nat Soo Pah.

Roasting marshmallows for smores on Saturday night.

The ladies horseshoe tournament on Saturday. I was paired with Amy, and we lost. BUT! It was close all the way. In fact, I think the round lasted an hour or something. That's gotta be some kind of record right? :0)

Me celebrating....I threw one and scored a point. That's right...woot woot! I'm pretty sure everyone there thought I was crazy. I am so horrible at horseshoes. :0)

Yes, that's a "ringer"....and it was mine! The only one I got the whole round. But it was still mine!
Gary, Dennis, and Bob {hope I got that right!} playing guitars and singing "Ring of Fire". :0)
Some of the guy cousins reminiscing about the "good old days". They go through it every time they get together. Big talk....but mostly just that.....TALK. :0) Tom is showing off his airsoft sniper rifle.
Whitney, Breanna, Meghan, and Haylee hanging out on Friday night.

Whitney, Haylee, Mike, Kenzee, Breanna, and Meghan

Ashlyn and Mackenzee....inseperable the whole weekend. Such cuties!

Gage, Jesse, and Landon

We had such a good time chatting with all of you!