reunion worst three (and some more favorite pictures)

1. The flight home. I planned this poorly. The flight was scheduled to leave at lunch time/nap time, but it left an hour late. This was bad for both boys, but thankfully, they slept on the flight.

2. Sickness. Todd, Linus and Casper all had allergies, Casper having the worst of it. With congestion and fever, we had a number of rough, sleepless nights.

3. The return of Mr. Grabby. During the trip, he picked up a map of Yellowstone, pulled a plant off of Grandma’s bookshelf onto the floor, and while in an antique shop, grabs a $35, ugly, orange bowl and brought it smashing to the floor.

reunion top ten, part 10

NANA’S HOUSE

We spent the last day of our trip at Nana’s beautiful home. Linus, who is absolutely in love with Nana, was really excited to see where she lived, and the two redheads had a wonderful time.

The kids also thoroughly enjoyed themselves, romping around the gardens all morning.

We also got to introduce the kids to Grandma Shakespeare, aka DC, and spend the morning with her. Not only was she kind enough to pay us a visit, but she drove the whole brood to the airport. We were most grateful -- especially for the rare and delightful opportunity to catch up with her. She also caught a Samuelson event: Casper learning to climb stairs by (how else?) fearlessly launching himself up them. (He only almost-fell once, courtesy Linus -- but he was spotted pretty thoroughly on his new trick.)

reunion top ten, part 9

TAUTPHAUS PARK ZOO

We spent a fun morning with cousins at this small zoo in beautiful [ed: it should be noted that Jen wrote this entry] Idaho Falls. Picnic, popsicles, animals and Texans enjoying the cool weather.

reunion top ten, part 8

SMITH PARK

This was such a fun day at the park. Dad Sam had his third annual labyrinth walk, which was pretty cool (and my children enjoyed this much more than the last outdoor pagan ritual with they were forced to participate in).

Though really, the best part was being outside in beautiful weather, surrounded by people I love.

reunion top ten, part 7

BEAR WORLD

Linus has a little obsession with bears (because he’s so in love with his own bear, Nougat). While in Idaho, he announced that he wants to be a grizzly bear when he grows up and pretended to be one, going around and tickling everyone in the side while saying, “Grizzle, grizzle” (because that’s what bears do, apparently). So, after not seeing any true Yellowstone bears, Grandma Sam treated us to a day at Bear World.

We saw a number of black and grizzly bears,
the kids had a fun time at the petting zoo,

and there were rides!

reunion top ten, part 6

YELLOWSTONE

Amazingly, this was my first trip to Yellowstone and I loved it. After a farewell picnic with the Shakespeares, we drove through the gorgeous park in amazing weather. Seriously, I can’t wait to go back. We didn’t see any bears, but did see bison, elk, deer, and a bald eagle.

I think I would have enjoyed Old Faithful more if there had been less of a crowd and fewer kids fighting (and those kids would be mine). We did walk over to another geyser, The Beehive Geyser, which only erupts about every 23 hours. Water spraying about 200 feet in the air and being able to see the opening in the ground was pretty impressive.
We drove back to Idaho via the incredible Teton Nation Forest and stopped for dinner at Richard and Laura’s home in Jackson, WY.

The day was breathtaking, but I think I can safely say that the highlight for my Texas-born and -bred children was the mound of dirty snow in the Old Faithful parking lot. Todd, Grandpa Sam, and I were all casualties of the late-season snowball fight.

reunion top ten, part 5

THE AUCTION

We simplified the kiddie auction into goodie bags, which the children picked after drawing numbers out of a hat. It was a hit. I suspect that the kids are still enjoying the candy and dollar-store toys.

The adult auction was fabulous. I think this is destined to become a reunion tradition, with Stephen as Family Auctioneer ("I have eight hundred . . . do I hear nine nuh nuh nuh nuh").

There were so many amazing donations. We all had a great time, and came away with a number of incredible "buys" with our $5,000 in play cash (fabricated by Todd). Among the handmade gifts and heirlooms we won were a couple of Dad's watercolor paintings, antique ceramics from Nana, frames made by Steve, Kevin's childhood jacket for Linus, a hand-knit sweater (which Dad commissioned in Germany), Melissa's tooth fairy bag, jewelry, and cool vintage pyrex. I'm pretty sure that everyone left satisfied.

reunion top ten, part 4

THE PINATA

Really, this is a tradition in more than one family and since the lovely and talented duo of Stephen and Shawna are professional piñata makers, how could this not be a highlight?

12 of the 17 grandchildren participated.

Gwendolyn really whacked at that thing, even though it was a beautiful, sparkling unicorn.
I think Linus was pretty confused by the whole thing and gave it a few half-hearted hits.
Linus watched the candy diving from the sidelines, but got some extra candy from his sweet older cousin, Adam.

reunion top ten, part 3

THE REXBURG TEMPLE

Two visits to the gorgeous Rexburg temple in less than a week, and they were both so nice. We did a session of sealings with Mom and Dad Sam, Nana and 5 of Todd’s siblings with their spouses. I feel so blessed to be sealed to such amazing people. Every single person in this family is an example to me in one way or another. They make me a better person and I love each of them so much. Sealings were such a great way to celebrate our time together.

Since we were the last reunioners to leave, Elisabeth performed a great service to us by watching all three kids one morning while Todd, Nana and I went back to the temple for a session in which Mom and Dad Samuelson were officiating. Very cool. Very special.

reunion top ten, part 2

FRIENDS

We got to spend quite a lot of time with Jeff (especially Todd), which was a great treat. We’ve really got to get ourselves to Vegas for some Archibald love.

Saturday, we had the great treat of a visit with Dena Shakespeare, who threatened to come to Texas and visit us (hooray!).

(Please note our lameness: we didn’t get photos of our friends. Really, if you were over the age of 12, we didn’t really snap your picture.)

reunion top ten, part 1

FAMILY

I feel so blessed to be related to such amazing people. It was great to strengthen bonds and meet people I’m related to who I had never met before (Laura, Sarah, Shawna, Isaac, Sammy, Ethan, Henry, Baby Isaac). My favorite thing about this reunion was watching all 17 cousins romp and play. There are amazing children in this family. Gwennie and Zoe instantly became the best of friends and were inseparable the entire weekend (I’ve never known my little girl to play so long with another child without hurt feelings on one side or the other, but G & Z did it . . . for hours and hours and hours each day).
And the babies! What fun to see their curiosity in one another.

vacationing

New posts resume Sunday. We have over 1,000 photos to cull from, so watch out.

craft countdown: crocheted beanie

*****

Today we travel to Idaho for the big reunion, the whole reason for all this crafting. Apparently, it's cold enough there that we are actually going to need to wear beanies.

craft countdown: I-Spy bags

*****

Linus, when a Destroyer song begins to play: "Is this the song that Winnie the Pooh sometimes sings?"

craft countdown: beanbag for the goodie bag

When Gwendolyn first heard about the family auction of handmade items, she immediately went to work on a "goodie bag". She concocted a bag out of paper and decorative tape and filled it with her own idea of treasures: scraps of fleece, a bird feather with yarn tied around it, clothespins colored with marker and an old paintbrush wound in colorful yarn. With my help and encouragement, she has added candy, stickers and a hand-sewn beanbag.

*****

Gwendolyn: I’m a special kind of superhero. I’m the special-est.
Todd: You’re a superhero specialist? Specialist at what?
Gwendolyn: At carrying trucks . . . and having fights! And you’re a supervillain – I mean, superbadguy. My best friend (that’s Linus) is a supermonkey, and his name is Soupnut. And my name is Madette.

I guess she does know what she’s talking about – sounds pretty superhero to me.

craft countdown: felt dress-up crowns

craft countdown: bandana pants

Pictured is the pair I made for Linus, and it is damn near impossible to get the boy to wear any other pants.

*****

Apparently, Gwendolyn believes in reincarnation.
Todd: "One day you'll grow up."
Gwennie: "And then I'll die, Daddy, and then I'll get to be a baby again."

Today I was sustained as Education Counselor in the Relief Society presidency. I have mixed emotions.

craft countdown: letterpress printed cards

The children helped Todd print today. The results will be tipped into their paste paper to make cards.

*****

A few days ago, Gwendolyn set up a petting zoo in the playroom with a number of stuffed animals and finger puppets and separated the animals according to species. Admission was 4 cents. Today, she told everyone they could pet her plastic turtle for 10 cents, if they would give her a "dip". (tip)

Todd finds Casper crying in the living room and after comforting him, I question the most likely suspect.
Mama: Linus, why was Casper crying?
Linus: A big brother just poked him in the mouth.
Mama: Well, listen to me big brother, you never put things in babies’ mouths.
Linus: Actually, I’m not a big brother, I’m a MAN.

craft countdown: handmade stencils with fabric paint

Note the t-shirts, made from Gwennie's drawings:

"Robot Feeding the Birds" and "Roach"

craft countdown: paste paper

whole lot of craftin' goin' on

We've been very busy over here with paint and fiber and paper and fabric and yarn and glue.
We're making things for the big family auction next week.

dog days

Linus tells us, "When I grow up, I want to be a dog."

Hallelujah!

After days and nights of sleeplessness and crankiness, Casper cut his second tooth today (bottom right). Todd and I are especially thankful and are looking forward to a good night’s sleep.

Gwendolyn and Linus both said their first words at about 10 months of age, so I naturally thought Casper would do the same. Now, I’m totally convinced that this little 9 month old babe of ours is talking. When Todd enters the room, he will chant, “Dadadada.” and I am most definitely “Mamamama.” He talks and babbles a lot (rather loudly), but he only uses Mama and Dada when he is looking at us, and he always gets it right.

slippery fish

It seems that the swimming lessons paid off. Today at the pool, Gwendolyn was absolutely fearless. She swam until breathless and even jumped off the diving board with no hesitation (something she was terrified to do last summer).

Casper, who turned 9 months old today, had his first visit to the pool and enjoyed splashing in the baby pool.

"new"

Gwennie and Linus are always making up words and silly gibberish when they talk and sing. Using nonsense words as adjectives is a favorite. While Linus was looking through a drawer in the kitchen, he pulled out a pastry knife and exclaimed, "This is a bitchin' tool!" He told me that this silly made-up word meant "new." He continued to empty the drawer, telling me that everything was "bitchin'."

Todd came home a little early from work today and took the kids to the park, which we all needed, because today was a long day.

goodbyes

This morning we said goodbye to our city friends. It was really emotional. Gwendolyn figured out that this was the last time she would be seeing her friend Thomas before he moves to Minnesota. Those two have such a connection, a connection which never seems to fade, even when they don’t see each other for weeks at a time. As hard as it was for me to say goodbye to my dear friend J, I know that she and I will still email and write and talk, but five year olds can’t connect in those ways. It breaks my heart to know that Gwennie's glorious, lovely friendship with Thomas is essentially ending. I’m so glad that she’s had this bond with him, this comfortable intimacy which I think is rare in children, but today I can’t look at pictures of them together without tearing up; I know she feels it too. After he left, she immediately asked if there was anything in the house which would remind her of Thomas. I brought her the fairy he had given her for her birthday, and she’s carried that little blue figurine around with her all day. Through her tears she told me, “My heart is breaking right now.”