Rasmussen Reunion at Bear Lake - Part 1

The Darwin and Debbie Rasmussen family held their biennial reunion at Bear Lake in Utah on July 7th-11th. We hadn't seen most of them for two years and we had never been to Bear Lake, so we were excited. We loaded up on snacks and movies from the library and set off on a Thursday morning. We just went to Twin Falls the first day and the boys did great. We stretched our legs at the temple and then went to dinner with Alan's Uncle Brent, Aunt Marilyn, and 94-year-old Grandpa Rasmussen. It was late, the boys were in melt-down mode, and I was getting a migraine so I didn't get a picture. I wish I had though! Grandpa is getting very weak and we never know how much longer he'll be around.

After dinner at a pizza buffet, we back-tracked to Hagerman to visit my Aunt Luanne and Uncle KJ. They manage the pool at the Thousand Springs Resort and were so kind to take us swimming and book us a cabin at the resort! We swam from about 9-10 pm and had a great time. The pool is so warm and I love not having to feel the shock of cold water when you first get it. Mason and Spencer both loved going down the slide.

We slept in a bit the next morning after our late night, had donuts with Luanne, and then continued on to Bear Lake. We got to the cabin at about 4:00 and everyone else arrived within the hour. Darwin and Debbie rented a huge cabin on the mountain-side that had beds and bathrooms for all 31 of us! We hadn't seen Grant for six years and Caralee and the kids (except Haley!) for four, so it was especially good to see them. The kids had a fabulous time getting reacquainted and it was fun to watch them. Cousin friends are the best!

Alan and Darwin put on the traditional Rasmussen family run on Saturday morning. The little kids ran laps around a field next to the church building while the older kids and adults ran a 1-mile loop three times for a 5k. Erica was super nice to slow down and run with Spencer since Alan was timing and I was keeping track of Mason. It was hot, but everyone was a good sport and did a great job! Mason didn't really want anything to do with racing, but had fun playing with cousins on the grass. He especially liked Jeramiah and wanted to be with him from then on. Darwin awarded everyone a family dog-tag necklace at the end.

After showers and making lunches, we headed to a park for a picnic, family pictures, and playing. Kan Jam was a favorite again. A pretty boardwalk led from the park to the lake. It was hot and sunny, but I kept my big, floppy sunhat on the whole time and didn't get a migraine. Mason is the youngest cousin and LOVED all of the attention and laughs he got.

We relaxed at the cabin until after dinner and then headed to the neighborhood swimming pool. We kind of took over the pool when all of us jumped it. Alan promptly started a water fight and everyone was splashing like crazy. Sadly, it started to rain after 30 or so minutes and we had to get out.

The view of the lake from our cabin.

Mason always wears sunglasses upside down. I don't know why. Haha!

Alan has been a big fan of Gwen's since the first time he met her.

Kim played an hilarious joke on Grandpa while everyone watched. He got wet and was a great sport!

Independence Day

Like most major holidays, we began our Independence Day with an Uberthons race. The Freedomthon has gotten bigger and more fun every year. Spencer and I ran the 5k with Mason in the stroller and then had time to play on the blow up slide before Mason's very short kid's race. Mason LOVED the slide and wanted to go down over and over again. Spencer was a great sport to help him get up the ladder every time.

This was the first time we registered Mason for his own race and he was super excited for it that morning. He loved getting his own bib. He changed his mind when the race started though and didn't want to do it at all. I picked him up and carried him the entire time. Haha! Maybe the pressure got to him! ;)

Both boys enjoyed the pancake breakfast afterward though. After getting a migraine after almost every race, I finally learned that taking my own peanut butter oatmeal and eating it soon after I finish running helps prevent my blood sugar from dropping too low and then spiking when I eat something like a pancake.

We invited Darwin and Debbie and some friends from our ward over for a bbq that evening. It was fun for the boys to have some other kids to play with.

This picture is blurry, but Mason and little E. were so cute at their own little table.

I'm not sure that Mason ate anything besides watermelon and potato chips. :)

The big kid table:

After our guests left, we joined our neighbors while they set off a few small fireworks in the street. I am pretty anti-fireworks myself, but consented to go so Mason could see some without having to stay up super late for a big show. Plus, I expected it to be a very short show. I was wrong. Three families wound up buying fireworks for our little show and it lasted 1.5 hours!! They didn't start lighting them off until 9:00. I let Mason watch until 10:00 and then put him to bed while Alan and Spencer stayed until the end. We are lucky to have such kind and generous neighbors!

Mason got filthy playing in the dirt while we were waiting for it to get dark.

Alan was exhausted from his very early morning and hard work.

Spencer got brave enough to try a sparkler for the first time. I am not a fan of kids playing with fire!

Some of the neighbors let Mason hold their cool light-up sword the entire time since he was too little for a sparkler.

It was a fun, but exhausting day!