Family Reunion 2010 at Badger Creek Lodge

It was Valerie & Wyatt's turn to plan the reunion this year and she did a fabulous job THANK YOU Penfolds! Valerie reserved the lodge at BYU-Idaho's Outdoor Learning Center near Tetonia, just a few miles from her home. We were all supposed to arrive on Wednesday afternoon December 29th. However Mother Nature had other plans. We drove up on Tuesday to avoid a storm and to spend some time with my Dad. On Wednesday we left early from my Dad's home to deliver the suspended seating for Valerie's new kitchen before we checked into the lodge, so we made it through but shortly after that they closed Hwy 33 so Randy & Melissa and their families spent the night in Teton. Scott left home late and when he got word that Hwy 33 was closed he came through Piney Pass. He got there quite late and had some pretty slick roads but made it. Thursday morning the others went that way and everyone made it by early afternoon. Even though the temperature never got above freezing we had a great time sledding (with a rope tow even) three different times.









We played lots of fun games together and didn't even mind that we had to go out in the cold to the bathroom. They were indoor and heated but we had to access them by going outside. Everyone slept in the big bedroom with bunkbeds except Scott's family had a smaller room to themselves because of new baby Viviane.




Sorry to the guy in his PJ's. I sent the little girls up to take a picture of the bedroom and this was the only one they took.

Keith & I slept in the large family room so we wouldn't keep everyone awake with our snoring and to keep the wood burning stove stoked, which was the furnace for the lodge. The FHE lesson was a little rough and didn't go over as well as we'd wanted but hopefully everyone will remember that the armor of God isn't always comfortable or convienint to wear and that the sword of the spirit will "keep us safe from sin". We had great meals, each family took turns preparing food in a huge commercial kitchen.




Valerie planned a really fun New Year's Eve Party complete with crowns and noise makers we decorated ourselves and streamers and ballons and games and bubbly to drink at 10 pm when we put the kids to bed. Hey it was midnight somewhere.






We drew in the snow with colored water, played spoons, magformers, Uno and the boys were glued to the iPod at time too.





The kids had hoola-hoop contests and we all stomped on ankle tied balloons. Seeing the kids have all this fun together makes the work that goes into these reunions a simple joy. Especially when I think about my "I want a hug from everyone who calls me grandma" after family prayer when we were ready to leave.








We love our family and are so pleased that they enjoy being together. It is sweet for us to watch the cousins learning to be friends and the adults sharing what's going on in their lives with each other. It's always kind of lonesome once we're back home but know that plans were discussed for the next reunion in the summer of 2011. Thanks to each of you for all you do make our family reunions wonderful. WE LOVE EACH OF YOU SO MUCH (but remember Heavenly Father loves each of you even more).

Surprise Birthday Party for Kristine

It was truly a surprise! I tried to download the video but it just wouldn't cooperate. Anyway I was so scared when I opened the door and everyone yelled surprise that I threw my purse into the room and stumbled and stammered at the door until I finally figured out what was happening. It scared me to death I even started to cry. The kids had invited many of our friends - and they came, even on the day before Thanksgiving. The kids all contributed to a spread of great food. There was a beautiful cake, yummy cheese balls, pigs in a blanket ( probably because I love hot dogs), delicious punch, fruit and veggies and red balloons and it was just a fun party. The weather was terrible and I'd called the kids and told them they didn't have to come for Thanksgiving if the weather was too bad but little did I know they were already in Utah, working to make all the last minute plans for this party. The grandkids all sang a song for me and it was just a grand event. I had on a dirty shirt so after I got my wits about me I went and changed my clothes. My good friend who knows me well asked if I'd wet my pants when I came in the door to such a surprise. No I did not, I just wanted to look better at my own party. My actual birthday was the Sunday before Thanksgiving and Keith invited Scott's & Melissa's families over for a fun dinner he prepared so in my mind my birthday was over. They called that my pretend birthday party. They all went in together and bought me an iPod Touch. I'm still trying to learn how to use it but am enjoying it a lot. THANKS YOU SO MUCH TO MY FABULOUS FAMILY! you created a treasured memory. I'm always saying how much I like surprises but after my reaction to this they may queston that passion.

Thanksgiving 2010

Our whole family was together for Thanksgiving this year. What a joy that is. We also had our nephew Aaron Weaver and his wife Keymeo and their two cutie kids Sienna and Radon. Figuring out the tables and making food assignments was great because everyone helped. We enjoyed a delicious meal and had a great day together. I'd invited all the grandkids to come prepared to tell a story using the puppets we have and they ALL did. What fun to have the cousins play together and even though the adults reported being a little bored, they got into it a bit as well. Just being together is just what Thanksgiving is all about.

Viviane makes 14

Viviane Elizabeth Pryor, fourth child of Scott & EmmaLee was born on Friday June 11, 2010 at 9:02 pm. She was 2 weeks early but weighed 8 lbs 9 oz and was 21 inches long. She has a head of dark hair and a sweet disposition. She is so loved by her brother Luke (9), and sisters Katie(6), and Sara(3). What a cute family.



When we took the kids to the hospital to meet their new sister they were so excited. When we drove up to the LDS hospital we were on the Emergency Room side and Luke said, it's okay I may need the Emergency room I am so excited to see my new sister. When he finally got to hold her the grin on his face was literally ear to ear and he was just so thrilled to hold her and talk to her. It was very sweet to see.



Katie & Sara are so happy to have a sister. EmmaLee has to set a timer so they each get equal time holding her.





In the hospital it was kind of hard to wait my turn. I wanted to just hold her and tell her I loved her, to feel her spirit. I was patient and did get to hold Viviane while Scott showed the kids a little video of how hard she cried just after she was born. But as I looked into her alert, bright eyes I had sweet memories came to me of each of our 13 grandchildren. The longer I thought about it I could recall something about each one as they came into our family. We love our family so much. We are looking forward to watching Viviane grow and hope she feels how much she is loved.

Spring?

It has always been our policy to wait to plant the garden until after Memorial Day. An old friend told us years ago, "To be dead certain your garden will survive wait to plant until after you've honored the dead". Well this year we took the chance and planted our garden last weekend. Bad idea.
It froze both Saturday and Sunday nights and we lost our cucumbers and basil plants. Amazingly the tomatoes and peppers survived. We covered things up after the first frost with some homemade hot caps. Freezer paper works great.



I took this picture Monday morning, May 24th after it quit snowing. Earlier the branches of the lilac tree were touching the ground. The green you see (now snowcovered) to the right of the lilac bush is our abundant spring crop of lettuce and spinach. I hope they survived the frost and the snow. We have been loving such fresh greens in our diet. So much for early planting. Even though along with the wet we got some cold we are grateful for this much needed moisture. Whenever spring finally decides to arrive we will welcome it gladly.

Luke makes a "Jacob's Ladder"

Luke and I had a great time making a Jacob's Ladder toy for one of his cub scout requirements. Enjoy this little video clip of him describing our experience.

FUN WEEK

Hello everyone,
Last week was an energizer bunny week it just kept going and going and going!

To start the week off Keith worked to get a virus off the computer and I lost my e-mail address book on Juno so I changed my internet provider. If I have to be invited to view your blog please invite me using kwpryor@gmail.com and update my email in your address book.
I had the thought to use the money I got from the sale of my Dad's Cadillac to go back to college so I went and checked out a program at Stevens Heneger College, next I'll check out a program at LDS Businees College. It all feels wrong, I just can't see myself back in the classroom.
I went and helped out at Scott & EmmaLee's and had a great time starting to make a jacob's ladder with Luke for his cub scout wood project, (pictures when we get it done).
Melissa & Spencer moved last week so I tended for them a few days. We even had their kids sleep over on Friday so the "moving crew" could get to work first thing without the little ones around. On Thursday we celebrated Bransons's 4th birthday even though his birthday was Saturday.

Ryan, Corey, Kaylee Bo and Raegan came on Thursday and stayed with us over the weekend so they could attend a family baptism. We took them to Classic Fun Center to enjoy the bounce zone, jungle and scooters on the skating rink. It was fun to have them stay with us.



On Saturday I packed a picnic lunch and went to the park to use up some of the kids' energy. When we got home I made 3 cases of strawberries into jam and froze some sliced. Thankfully Keith was back from the helping with the move so he took the kids out to play in the sandbox. We had Melissa and Spencer over for dinner a couple times to help them out while they were moving and each time we put candles in Branson's dessert.
My batteries were runny low by Sunday and I truly enjoyed my "day of rest".
It was Savanna's 1st birthday day on Saturday too - unfortunately we don't get to celebrate too many birthdays with Valerie & Wyatt's kids. Does singing over the phone count?

"Popcorn is Popping" on the apricot trees around here so...


Happy Spring to you all.