Nelson Family Reunion 2011

My dad and mom were "in charge" of the reunion this year for my Grandma Miller and her siblings. There were 13 children in her family and 8 were at the reunion:We had many many cousins, aunts, and uncles from our family there.(Pine Top is beautiful!)

Here's my dad with his mom and siblings:Jane, my grandma, and IJane sang a song in a talent show one nightSome of my nephews and nieces also performed

We got to go hiking to a cool caveMy niece Lilly fell asleep like this: Jane also got to climb a tree

Oh- so happy- we ate lots of REAL Mexican food:Thank you Dylan for all of the excellent food you prepared as well:Yummmy smoked pork..

Jane got to climb a tree with help from Champion Tree Climber Dan Stevens I even won this quilt Aunt Pat made:
We love our family!

Meredith and Kate

Kim and Elizabeth
Derik and Emily
Jane and Thomas
Lots of people in the pool!
Kate loved Maddy and Emma
Dad and Baby Mabel
Elyse and Ben
Painting fingers and toes with Sarah and ShellyGreat Grandma Miller and 3 sillies

Trip to Arizona & Four Corners

On Thursday morning we headed out with my sister and her family and one of my brothers and his family for a great, long drive to Pine Top Arizona.We lucked out because we got teens Andy and Maddy to go with us and gave Bruce, Jane, and Kate to the other cars :)

We made a quick visit to the Four Corners It was pretty cool to touch 4 states at one time.Finally we reached our destination: Great Grandma Miller :)

Canoeing and Fishing in Logan Canyon

Over the next few days we went to a beautiful little lake in Logan Canyon for some fishingand canoeing:We went to a wonderful aquatic center:"Cheese"Jane jumping off the diving board

We also got to have dinner and spend sometime with Grandma and Grandpa Great GobleJames was not too happy to take picturesso we took another:We miss the Utah mountains:

Flying and 4th of July

On July 3rd we flew to Utah to visit some of the people we love..we had a fun layover in Chicago,and even ran into some friends at 11:30 pm @the SLC airport.(THANK YOU Dylan and Andy for meeting us with "stay awake" supplies!)

On July 4th we went hiking:Bruce made a new friend:
Kate had a birthday party:(She LOVED the Princess Birthday cake Grandma ordered for her)
We had a delicious party dinner :
and she even got to open presents:We had some surprise guests (thanks Jeff and Lexi)That night we got to do fireworks (which was very exciting because they are not allowed in New York so we haven't gotten to do them for 4 years.)

Kate is 4!!!!

This little cutie got a new haircut,

Opened presents in the morning-

Thank you Grandma Miller for the pursehad a party,ate cupcakes:

played with friends:

and is so happy to be 4!

*Bonus- We went with friends to the Erie zoo on Thursday and had a great time!

Cute Penguins:

Kangaroo walk

* * Extra Bonus- My friend Becky stayed with us a few days and when she left this is what she did in the guest room. She had candy hanging from the ceiling and this super cute sign! Thanks- my kids loved it!