3rd Annual Don & Shirley Hallstrom Family Reunion

On Saturday,  June 27, 2015, we hosted the 3rd Annual Don & Shirley Hallstrom Family Reunion.  We had a total of 16 of us gather at our home for lunch and some catching up.  We had a baked potato bar and strawberry ice cream cake out in our backyard.  My brother, Mark brought his new puppy, Blue to meet everyone.  That puppy was the center of attention.  Grandma Hallstrom had fun showing Jeff & Ali Hallstrom her family history albums.  Ali took some photos of the family history photos with her phone.  Jeff & Ali drove up from Mission Viejo, CA with their three boys, Evan, Tyler, and Spencer.  Their boys loved playing in our backyard.  Chris Hallstrom, my brother, Mark, and Nathan Kristjanson stayed the longest.  As we were all sitting around visiting, Katie randomly hands us each a sheet of construction paper.  I ended up showing everyone how to make paper boats.  (My Aunt Janette Kristjanson taught me how to make paper boats when she came to visit us when I was 7 years old.)  Then, Nathan taught us how to make these fun little paper airplanes.  I liked having a low key reunion this year.  It still took a lot of planning, cleaning, and food prep, but it's always worth gathering the family together.

Ty, Brian, Evan, Blue (the dog) held by Mark, Tyler, Chris, Ali, Spencer, Jeff, Grandma Shirley, Calvin, Nathan, Katie, Lisa, Julia, Sam

 Brian, Ty, Blue (the dog) held by Mark, Tyler, Chris, Ali, Spencer, Jeff, Grandma Shirley, Calvin, Nathan, Katie, Julia, Lisa, Sam 

 Grandma Shirley with her adult grandkids: Mark, Chris, Nathan, Lisa, Jeff

There was a little water fight going on... ha!

 Nathan, Tyler, and Chris hanging out

4th Annual Fred & Carolyn Family Reunion

We had a wonderful time as a family at this summer weekend reunion.  

We stayed in this awesome cabin way up on the top of a mountain just outside of Heber City, Utah.

As always at these reunions, we ate really well and had fun relaxing as a family.  

We took the kids on a scavenger hunt, Fred and Carolyn spoiled everyone with gifts, and we played other outdoor games.  I was having too much fun hanging out that I didn't get very many action shots this year.  But check out the shots that I did get:

Staci taking Bella and Bauer for a walk

Kevin and Wesley

Hot Tub Time

Sarah and Gideon

He's ready to dive right in!

Sibling teasing

Siblings - Kimball, Eleanor, Simon

Silly Sarah

Owen and Tyler are checking out all of the action from the loft.

Resting up.

Zoey

Maddy

Eleanor

 Kristen

 Katie

 Grandma & Grandpa Ward bought all of the older granddaughters matching outfits, accessories, and baby dolls.

 Cute cousins.

Zoey loves her mommy (Rosanne).

 Exploring their surroundings.

 Sadie

 The 2013 Grandbabies - Julia, Gideon, Sadie

Fred & Carolyn Ward Family Photos - June 2014

Fred & Carolyn Ward Family - June 2014

Wesley, Owen, Maddy, Carolyn, Zoey, Tyler, Fred, Sadie, Kimball, Julia, Brian, Simon, Gideon, Eleanor, Kristen, Katie

Carolyn, Fred

Kimball, Sarah, Aaron, Eleanor, Gideon, Kristen, Simon

Maddy, Wesley, Owen, Becky, Kevin

Brian, Tyler, Lisa, Sam, Katie, Julia

Zoey, Rafa, Rosanne, Sadie, Nova

Laura

Kyle, Staci, Bella, Bauer

2nd Annual Don & Shirley Hallstrom Family Reunion

Grandma Hallstrom and I were in charge of the 2nd Annual Don & Shirley Hallstrom Family Reunion.  It was held on Saturday, July 12th.  I reserved my ward building so that we could eat lunch there and have a talent show.  We set up the gym the night before.

We ate pulled pork sandwiches, corn and black bean salsa, watermelon, jello, salad, etc.  The talent show turned out really nice.  Grandma was especially thrilled that some of her grandchildren sang for her.  

Aunt Janette's wonderful presentation

Dad brings back memories with classic old home movies.

Seth's awesome song about parenting

Nathan sings a song from My Servant Joseph. He played the role of Joseph Smith a couple years ago.

Julia - 11months

Family Reunion peeps - Jenny, Mom, Tyler, Mark, Katie

 Group Photo of everyone who came (except Tyler who refused to get in the shot).

 Calvin, Grandma Shirley, Janette, Sheldon

 Calvin, Grandma Shirley, Janette, Sheldon

 Karen & Jean

 Karen & Jean 

    Seth, Jenny, Karen  

We cleaned up after the talent show, took a group family photo, 
and went back to our house for visiting and dessert.  
We borrowed a giant Jenga game from Kevin and Becky Ward 
for something to do in the evening on our back porch.  It was a big hit.  
Thanks to all who came and made it such a memorable day.

Sarah and her Jenga Tower