Family Celebrations

Last year, when we found out that we would be having a baby the end of March, we decided that it would be perfect to bless the baby the same weekend that Landon was baptized.  We told family when that would be, and we were so lucky to have so much family come for these two special events!  The day after we got back from Memorial Day, Kent and Christie came in from Utah.  Christie had just finished her last day ever of school the Friday before!  Mark and Melanie arrived with Ames on Thursday, and Becky and Nate with their boys arrived Friday afternoon.  My parents came up with Jacob and Stacey and their family Friday evening.  Everyone stayed at a hotel near our house, except for my parents, who stayed with us, and Kent and Christie, who stayed with Kelly.  We missed having Shane and Wendi, Dave and Liz, and Camille and Bryce there with us too!

We had fun with Kent and Christie before everyone arrived.  They took Davis and James to the Children’s Museum on Wednesday, and on Thursday, we met Shane and Kelly for lunch at Buster’s.  Thursday evening, Kelly came over and barbequed his delicious marinated chicken for us, and we had a delicious family dinner with the Malan side of the family. 

Friday, all the kids had fun playing in the backyard once everyone arrived.

     

 

Saturday, we decided to go out to Camp Rivendale to play and eat lunch.  It was a beautiful day, and we were one of the few people there.  The kids had tons of fun playing on the playground together.  While we were getting things packed up to go, the kids tried to get grandpa to download an app for them.  I’m not sure if he ever remembered his apple ID.  :)

 

Some of the highlights of the playground were . . . the swings:

        

The boat:

 

The ropes and stairs to climb:

 

And the “zipline!”  This soon became a competition over who could make it to the other side first. 

   

Another highlight for the kids was playing “chase the dads.”

 

And the adults just enjoyed relaxing and visiting with each other.

   

The food was delicious too of course:  chicken salad sandwiches, carrots, cucumbers, grapes, chips, and Caprisuns.