When our month in California was up, we packed up and headed to Utah for two reunions – the smaller Bruce Stephenson Reunion (Chris’s siblings and their families) and the larger Willard Stephenson Reunion (Chris’s cousins and their families). With just a week, we had a lot to fit in so we hit the ground running.
Saturday
As soon as we had arrived at our rental house, we were off for some fun activities. Aunt Eliza picked up Cami to spend a fun evening at a Salt Lake Bees baseball game. She was thoroughly spoiled with treats and attention – she loved it!
Cami & Aunt Eliza
The rest of us were able to attend the Pioneer Day Concert at the Conference Center and meet up with London friends that had moved back to the states.
Meeting up with Stephanie Bassett & the Tingey’s
Sunday
The entire family came with us to the Conference Center this time and we were able to see Music and The Spoken Word. They had the same guest artists from the Pioneer Day Concert the night before, Lindsey Stirling and Nathan Pacheco. It was also a bonus that we got to see Chris’s cousin, Heather, sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Inside the Conference Center
After attending Sacrament Meeting in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, we went on a family history tour of Bountiful. Our first stop was the Bountiful Cemetery . . .
Chris’s Grandfather’s Grave
On the other side of the cemetery is Anson Call, an ancestor who was instrumental in helping the saints come out west.
Grandma Tells About Anson Call
Anson’s Newer Gravestone
We also had a driving tour of Bountiful, with Mom and Dad pointing out old homes, old schools, old ward buildings, etc. It wasn’t too interesting to the kids, but it was fun for Chris and Haley to go back through Memory Lane from when they lived there while little.
Old Stephenson Home in Bountiful
Monday
No reunion is complete without family t-shirts and pictures.
The Siblings
Haley, Jed, and Chris
(Cami – heaven, Heidi – Mongolia, Andrea – California)
We usually try to get as many groupings as possible – as long as the kids’ attention spans last.
The Families
Our Family
Haley’s Family
Jed’s Family
The In-Laws
Then, of course, the two who always put everything together and hold family foremost in their lives . . .
Mom and Dad
Grandparents with Grandkids
Best Buds – Caleb & Jack
Because of Mom and Dad, these crazy kids get to be great friends and always pick up right where they left off at each reunion.
The Grandkids (minus Heidi’s four kids)
One of our activities for the day was visiting This Is the Place Heritage Park.
The Monument
Chris was there in person, but had to spend a great deal of his time on conference calls as we walked and explored.
One of the monuments on the property is for Anson Call, whose grave we had visited in Bountiful the day before. It was neat to read about the Rocky Mountain Prophecy and see what cities Anson helped build in the area.
Anson Call’s Monument
Cities Anson Helped Build
We were able to go into the outdoor museum that is set up as a working village.
Cami
It was fun for the kids to have a bit of hand-on experience as we went through the village.
Village School
Pony Rides
Panning for Gold
Carding Wool
Sampling Brigham’s Donuts
All the kids were able to get a leather bracelet personalized to bring home as a memory from our visit.
It just so happened that our reunion was during the week of the special Pioneer Day holiday they have in Utah. It was neat to see all the handcarts all lined up for treks later in the week.
Handcarts
To wrap up our fun day, we attended the Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City. We were a bit shocked when they said President Uchtdorf AND President Monson from the First Presidency were both in attendance on the same night. The kids thought that was pretty amazing!
Rodeo Opening
I hadn’t been to a rodeo in a long time and it was the kids’ first. They loved it!
Calf Tying
Team Calf Roping
Barrel Racing
Tuesday
Sydney was lucky enough to have her birthday during our family reunion, but it was a very special one, as she turned 12 years old. She had reached the age that she could attend the temple to do baptisms for the dead.
It was a neat experience for these 4 oldest grandchildren to have that opportunity together at the Salt Lake Temple.
Later that day, we all went bowling, which the kids always look forward to during reunions.
It was even better that we had the bowling alley to ourselves!
Lily
We had to laugh at how much the kids got into it. Great memories!
Ben
Wednesday
After we packed up our reunion rental, we took off in search of the Pioneer Day Parade. We made it in good time and found a good spot.
We stayed for the highlights, like Pres. Uchtdorf and his wife . . .
. . and Chris’s cousin’s daughter, Lauren, who is playing Jane in Mary Poppins.
Then we were off to Delta, Utah for our next Family Reunion and more memories to build!
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