Smith (Swensen) Family Reunion - Day 2

On Monday, the 4th of July, we went down to Provo again for some good food, family, and conversation.

Before we left Draper, Brian tossed the kids around a bit.

Then, some of the kids got some Mousekercise.

All of the cousins except Lanie and Madison took a break to play iPhones or watch a show.

Sydney enlisted Uncle Eliot to help her with DoodleFit.

Food time! Our feast included the best guacamole I've ever had. The recipe, made by my Aunt Julie, came from The Sisters Cafe.

Here I am with little (but getting bigger!) Miss Lanie.

The kids had a great time playing on the water slide/bounce house.

Aunt Jennie's always so sweet to her nieces and nephews.

During the day, we took Wes to get a much needed haircut. You can actually see his face in this picture! :)

It was a sad (but fascinating) moment when the men came to deflate and take the bounce house away.

After dinner, it was pinata time! The kids went youngest to oldest so Sydney went 2nd. She's got a pretty good grip!

All the kids got to go twice and then Aunt Pam had to step up to crack the thing open!

Uncle Mike dumped out more candy for the kids to grab so they'd have plenty of sugar to celebrate the 4th!

Sydney enjoyed spending the day in her swimming suit. She's attempting to hold still while she eats some of her spoils from the pinata.

Wes and Lydia opted to play in the sandbox instead of eat all of their candy.

Then we went to a church to light off some fireworks (and it rained!). Like my kids, I actually don't love the loud sounds. Can you tell from my expression? :)

Lydia and Sydney decided to watch the fireworks from the safety of the car with Grandma Swensen.

Madison, Mitchell, and Uncle Todd are enjoying the fireworks.

As are Uncle Rick and Henry.

Ryan and Wes were loving the fireworks even though they were covering their ears. Wes still makes up songs about them ("I love you fireworks, you are so great. I love to watch you blow up in the sky...").

Wes was a little unsure about the sparkler, but he thought it was cool anyway.

This is a fun picture of the boys running around the fire pit with their sparklers.

And here they are (no longer ghosts): Michael, Danny, Nate, and Luke.


Thanks to Aunt Julie (and helpers) for making the reunion happen and for all of your effort!

Smith (Swensen) Family Reunion - Day 1

On Sunday, after we went to a baby blessing of a daughter of one of Brian's friends, we went down to Nunn's Park in Provo Canyon. There we met up with my extended family for a BBQ.

Brian was great with the kids. They had fun hitting Brian with the punching balloons.

Wes, Sydney, and Lydia were having a great time playing together.

Wes, Lydia, and Ryan built a carnival with the croquet set.

Smith (Hanks) Family Reunion - Day 2

Day 2 of the family reunion started out with a Family 5k and Kids' Fun Run for all those who cared to participate.

Volunteers helped assign bib numbers at the starting line.

The kids are off on their race! I love this picture because it demonstrates so well a child's natural "Chi" running stance. Kids make running look so effortless!

I ran about .3 miles out and was glad I "had" to turn around so I could be the timekeeper as people crossed the finish line. Who was the first official runner? My brother-in-law, Kevin, who is a way faster runner than me and would smoke me every time!

Here's Wes enjoying some juice and some shade after running and playing hard.

As people were enjoying food and festivities, Sydney was taking yet another turn on the microphone. She sure loved that thing!

After showers, we had a family carnival. The kids got snow cones...

And cotton candy...

And prizes! They were in kiddie heaven!

In the evening we took a group picture with over 100 attendees (good luck spotting us)!

Then the pre-luau fun began. Here's Audrey sporting her two leis.

Wes took a turn at the limbo!

Brian and I got our picture taken.

And then the show began! My sister-in-law Naomi's amazing family made the hour long drive to perform real dances for our luau. If you ever get a chance, you must watch Naomi dance. She is stunning! Seriously, so beautiful. And if you're extra lucky you can spot her dad watching her dance and see the pure love a father has for his daughter. That was one of my favorite things of the whole evening!

Then the family all took turns doing their dances. My brother-in-law, Tyler, is leading the Uncles in their dance. It's serious business!

Then the women had their turn.

Here I am smiling for the camera like I know what I'm doing! (I did take a hula class during my one term at BYU-H.) :)

Here are the aunts doing their part.

And then the men who spontaneously decided to go shirtless and are apparently doing a John Travolta move.

Then it was the kids turn! They were pretty cute!

After all of the dancing, Sydney and Lola decided to demonstrate their gleeful version of ring-around-the-rosy.

Then, of course, Brian couldn't leave a reunion without some serious competition. He recruited his cousins for strength challenges and guess who won the push up/plank contest? The only woman brave enough to compete: Shawna! She's a total rock star (who also came in second in the 5k, by the way).

When I went to find Wes and Brooklyn after the luau (after realizing I hadn't seen Wes in quite some time), they were happily entertaining themselves in the Primary room. In this picture, Sydney joined them to make a stage to perform on.


I think one of my favorite things about this reunion was how well it represented the Dell and Colleen Hanks family since we were the family in charge this year. I felt like all the activities had a bit of us in them, which was really cool.

Also, if you're ever looking to hire a fabulous reunion coordinator,who will go above and beyond, call my mother-in-law! ;)

Smith (Hanks) Family Reunion - Day 1

On July 1st, we had the first day of our Brian's Smith Family reunion (both of our mom's maiden names are Smith). Brian's Mom was in charge this year and it was completely amazing and flawless!

We started the day with some family history stories.

Everyone's listening intently!

Then we spent some time outside. Here are Grandma and Grandpa who are the very reason we get to enjoy each other during the reunion!

Here are Wes, Sydney, and Brooklyn enjoying popsicles with Grandma Hanks.

Lily's loving her popsicle!

The kids all had a good time playing in the water outside.

Then they had more popsicles!

After dinner, Brian and I were in charge of games. We played a family history game, then Brian showed his family video, and then we play some Minute to Win It games.

When it was time for bed, Great Grandma Smith helped Sydney get wound down from the fun day!