August: Reunion & TREK

For the last weekend in July and the first part of August, Jerek & I took the family down to Heber City for a family reunion. We haven't had one for the Tippets (my mom's side) since. . . '94? or so. Anyway, it's been a LONG time. Heber City is where my grandparents are buried and they lived part of their lives there growing up. Something cool: If my grandma was alive, it would have been her 100th birthday and she almost has 100 descendants.
Here's a picture of all of us that could make it:

After the reunion Jerek & I sent our kids home with grandma and went to Wyoming for a week with leaders and youth of our stake. We went to Martin's Cove, Willie Center, & Rocky Ridge. We had a 'family' consisting of 9 teenagers and camped on the plains for the whole week. We pushed/pulled a handcart for 3 days. It was great. No, seriously. It was amazing! It had to be! How else do you get 120 teenagers & 60 adults to camp and pull a handcart up a hill and thru streams and mud holes?? You tell awesome stories, learn about the pioneer heritage, you work together as a family, you play games and sing songs, you run through the rain/hail storm hoping you don't get hit by lightening, you feel the spirit and all the joy of being in nature with good people who are willing to serve each other. It was an experience that I was glad to be a part of.