Our direct flight from St. Louis to Sacramento was very easy compared to the problems we experienced coming state-side, which was a good thing because we had to hit the ground running for the Stephenson Reunion!
Family Fun
Mom and Dad had a ton of things planned . . . our next 4 to 5 days were jam-packed with varied activities. There were activities for the older grandkids with the grandparents, just adults, service projects, awards, and talent shows.
Mom & Dad
But, first and foremost – reunion t-shirts were distributed and family pictures taken in the treehouse. We miss having Joseph, Heidi, and their family at our reunions. They have 2 more years left serving as mission presidents in Mongolia.
Our Crew
Haley & the Browning Gang
Jed with his Growing Family
Grandkids (minus Bensons)
In-Laws (minus Joseph)
One of the first activities we had was going bowling. It’s always fun to have our large group as we get a private room with our own lanes. It’s perfect for young . . .
Little Chris
. . . and old(er).
Grandpa
Afterward, we went to a fun restaurant for dinner, which also happened to be an arcade and play-place. The kids thought they were in heaven!
Hannah on Bumper Cars
Caleb & Ben
Cami
One of the adults’ favorite activities is (what is becoming) the annual scavenger hunt. The first year we did it, it was a short geocache find. Each year seems to get bigger – this year it took us 5 hours!!
Finding our First Coordinates
The first clue was a set of coordinates, which took us to a local park. We struggled to find the first clue, as we thought it was in someone’s backyard, but we finally found it.
Becca, Haley, Donovan
Once a clue was found, sometimes it required a little bit more work on our part, like putting together a puzzle.
Puzzle Pieces
All Put Together
Many of the clues put us at family friends’ homes, who had been in on the plans. Of course, sometimes our timing was a little off so our ‘estimated time of arrival’ was earlier or later than the friends were planning on.
Bishop’s House
QR Code Clue
Sometimes the clue came with something a little extra, like cash or arcade tickets.
Free Arcade Tickets
The arcade tickets came in handy when we arrived at SunSplash, the local water park and arcade palace.
Playtime at SunSplash
Our Message in a Bottle
Things did start to get a little tricky as the day wore on and businesses started to prepare to close. It didn’t help much that we had all turned off our tracking devices on our phones so Mom couldn’t see how we were doing. She was pretty stressed by the time we got back!
Financial Planning Clue
Hydrating at Target
With all the clues we had, there really was only one that we struggled with. We could not figure out the proper way to use the decoder – this one really set us behind on our quest.
Decoding Next Clue
Thankfully we were just a few errands . . . clues . . . away from the end. It’s always great when the scavenger hunt serves a dual-purpose.
Picking up Dry Cleaning
Our last clue led us to Papa Murphy Pizza, where we were instructed to pick up dinner.
Taking Home Dinner
Phew! We continue to wonder how they can top the hunt from the year before. I just don’t think it’s possible next year. Such a fun afternoon!
Of course, it’s not all fun and games. Saturday was our work day. Grandpa had planned a new fire pit in the back of the property. So, we, literally, dug in and went to work.
Fire Pit Planning
Boys Hard at Work
Most of the kids were excited to get to work together. There was one (Emma) who would sneak off quietly when no one was looking and have to be brought back to join the rest of us.
Girls at the Ready
Guys Digging
Lots of Supervisors
Even though it was hard work, we got to enjoy the fruits of our labors later that evening with the initiatory campfire.
Resting Around the Fire Pit
Aunt Heather showed us how to heat up starbursts over the fire. Some were fans, some were not, of the gooey treat.
Gooey Starbursts
But, you never can go wrong with roasting marshmallows for s’mores.
Roasting Marshmallows
Every Sunday we also do more formal pictures of each family grouping and the big family group. This big group photo always goes in Mom & Dad’s family Christmas card. We can’t wait until the Benson’s are with it, so it feels more complete.
In Our Sunday Best
Later that afternoon we had the annual talent show. The kids each brought their own entries and even collaborated on others. It was great to see the teens sing a hymn with Sydney at the piano.
Cousin Singing
Another tradition we have is a small award ceremony of the accomplishments of each family member during the year. Some of the highlights were:
Becca – Day-time Empty Nester Award (all kids will be in school this school year)
Caleb – Tennis Player of the Year
Cami – Ballerina of the Year
Chris – Midlife Crisis of the Year (turning 40 will do that to you)
Emma – Softball Player of the Year
Hannah – Track Star of the Year
Aunt Haley also put together a fun cousin craft for the two new babies joining the family this year – Aunt Heather & Uncle Jed’s as well as Aunt Heidi & Uncle Joseph’s.
Learning to Tie a Quilt
Tying Away
Even with all the planned activities, there is still nothing like just being at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
Emma loves collecting the chicken eggs . . .
. . . and the pool is ALWAYS a hit!
Family Pool Time
Lounging
Water Gunning
The days in California just flew by, but it’s always an amazing time.
Kids with Aunt Andrea
One last visit to Aunt Andrea’s room to say goodbye and we were off as quickly as we had come, already looking forward to next year.
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