The Caribbean of the Rockies

Fun fact: Bear Lake "has been called the Caribbean of the Rockies" for its unique turquoise-blue color, which is due to the refraction of calcium carbonate (limestone) deposits suspended in the lake.  Also fun fact: Bear Lake is awesome!  I think I can safely say that everyone in our family loved every second of our time up there.  :)

The occasion for our epic family gathering this summer was Scott's parents' 50th anniversary.  Gordon and Janice looked into a few different locations to hold our epic bash, but Bear Lake is what they ultimately decided on and I'd say it was an excellent choice.  I think the thing that made it so much fun was that we ALL stayed together in one giant house.  The kids were in heaven essentially having sleepovers every night with their cousins and it made it really nice for us adults to also have plenty of time for visiting and catching up while the kids were doing their own thing.  {Spoiler alert -- one of those "things" they were working on all week was an epic production of "Aladdin."}  

 This Spike Ball (?) game was a huge hit.

 We had a full house!  Scott's brother and sister also have 6 kids each and minus the one on a mission, they were all there!

Being all together made it even more convenient for our evening Devotionals (which each family took a turn doing) along with all the fun and games we participated in while we were there.  We checked in around 4 on Monday (July 1st) and had a low key (yet super awesome) first day with EVERYONE finally altogether.  Along with our family, there were Scott's parents (obviously); his sister Kristin and their family (plus their new daughter-in-law, but minus Josh who is still on his mission); and his brother Adam and their family (plus two new sons-in-law and a grand baby on the way).  Scott is the youngest which means that our younger kids were DEFINITELY the youngest ones there.  

 Grandma and Grandpa led our first night's devotional and told stories from their family history.

 Matching reunion shirts were a must, obviously.

 All the grandkids plus the three new grandkids-in-law.  :)

 Isaac figured family picture time was the perfect time to dab.  Haha.

Tuesday was our day at the actual Bear Lake and it was a blast.  Even though the water was nice and chilly, it didn't stop anyone from diving in and having some fun.  {Renting some jet skis for the afternoon certainly added to that fun. }  Aside from a few bad cases of sunburn, the day was practically perfect in every way.  ;)

The rest of the week consisted of lots and lots of family time, some games, a hike up at Tony Grove, a trip to LaBeau's to try out their "famous raspberry shakes," a couple of trips to the pool (and hot tub), and the tour de force that was the kids' presentation of "Aladdin."  Haha.  {In all honesty, though, I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard.}   Aside from a few meltdowns from an overtired Alex (which were usually over being excluded from big kid plans and not having anyone his age to play with) and sleep hijinks from our resident sleep terrorist, Isaac, the week was a delight. 

 {We had more than a few tired and cranky children the morning of our hike.}

 There was still some unmelted snow up at Tony Grove.

 Baby Shark do do do do do do.  ;)

 The hammock swing chairs with the view of the lake was my happy place all week long.  :)

 Check out that ginormous pizza!

 (Maddie helped to create some set design pieces for Aladdin.)

 The cast taking their bows.  Hahaha.

We were in charge of the last devotional of the week.

The grand finale of our family reunion was a trip to the Logan Temple on our last day.  We took family pictures that morning and then we all went inside where the teens did baptisms.  (Abby and her husband Kemper kindly volunteered to watch Jane, Alex, and Isaac for us outside, so that both Scott and I could be in the temple with the others.)  It was a beautiful day and a beautiful end to our weeklong gathering. 

 I'll upload the professional shots in another post. 

Lunch at a pizza buffet in Logan was our last hurrah of the day.  Once we were done, Kristin and her crew rolled out and started their drive back home, while our family and Adam's headed back down to Orem to stay one more night at Scott's parents' house before heading home ourselves.  (Although, Adam and his family had one more stop for the weekend at a family reunions on Susi's side before they made their way back to Vegas.)  All in all, I'd say it was the best 4th of July week we've ever had!

So long, farewell!