Back to School Lunch

 Each week leading up to school starting I take each of the kids out to lunch.  They get to choose where they want to eat and then we go school shopping after.  It's a fun tradition and I love having the one on one time with them before they start a new school year.  Each of these kids are so different, yet they have so many different strengths.  I can see special gifts that Heavenly Father has given them to help them get through their trials they each face.  It will be a great year for these kids!

Jacob's Farewell

How grateful we are for this nephew that is such a great example to all of us.  Jacob's farewell was amazing and he is so ready to be missionary.  He will do great things for the people of Chile!  It was hard to say goodbye knowing we would not see him for a while.  But, his letters have been so great and we are grateful he has the chance to serve.

Brighton Camp Reunion

 I had a fun afternoon catching up with fellow camp counselors at the Brighton Reunion!

 I was able to go down the zip line.  Which was a little scary!

 Love these ladies and the things they continue to teach me!

 Went rock repelling

We then had a dinner and we were able to catch up with other counselors that worked at Brighton Camp the Summer of 1997.  We went on the brownie hike later in the evening.  How grateful I am for the Summer I worked up there.  It taught me so much about myself and how to rely on the Lord.  It was not an easy job and I learned fast to pray and trust!

Drake Family Ranch

 The last day of the Reunion we headed to Karen's Farm for another big family gathering.  We had duck races down the the little creek on their property.

 The Grandma's and little's got to ride out to the creek!

 We all then watched as the ducks made their way down the creek back to the house.  All the kids were hoping their duck would be the winner!

 Amazing skies in Canada!  We watched this storm roll in.

 Lucy in true Canadian spirit with a hockey stick.

 After the duck races we had a yummy dinner and then the kids hung out and played tons of different games.

 The Drake's have many horses and allowed the little kids to ride on them.  Poor Lucy was allergic to all the animals and had swollen eyes.  We got her ride over and hit the medicine fast!

We left their Ranch to this beautiful sunset!  It was the end of the reunion and time to return back to Utah.  It was so fun to meet cousins and form friendships that would last a life time!

Day Two of The Rawsthorne Family Reunion

 All 100 people went hiking up to these beautiful falls.  It was fun watching us all get up there!

 We then hung out at this lake and ate lunch after the hike.  The kids enjoyed playing racket ball games, and building stuff in the sand and mud.

 It was so pretty and the kids all had such a fun time together.

After this we headed back to clean up and then went to Bruce's house for pizza and more slurpees!

Downtown Calgary and Thomas Family Farm

 In the morning we headed to the brow to see downtown Calgary, and Grandma Rawsthorne's house.  We walked all over the city, got slurpees and enjoyed being with the Vivier family!

 The crazy head in the city!

 That evening we headed to the Thomas's to official begin the Rawsthrone family reunion!

 The sisters all told some stories about Grandma and Grandpa Rawsthrone and growing up in Canada.

 We then played games and ate a yummy dinner!

 Lots of races between different age groups!  Lucy

 Eliza

 Anne

 Jason

 Dad

 Group shots of the different age groups of cousins... Jason

 Anne

 Eliza

 Lucy

How we love all these sisters and the blessing they are in all of our lives!  It was a fun beginning to the reunion!