Coming back to California always feels like ‘home.’ It was really nice to head to our own home from the airport, especially since it was so late. We had a nice surprise waiting for us from Aunt Haley and her family!
American Summer Goodies
We were so excited to be there for the 4th of July and feel that energy of the holiday. Flags and other patriotic displays were all around as well as families coming together for picnics and other events.
4th of July BBQ
It was the perfect time for our Stephenson Family Reunion since people had the time off of work. However, our reunion seemed in ‘holiday mode,’ which was more laid back than in years past. That’s not a good or a bad thing, but just an observation that reunions come in all shapes and sizes and there is no right or wrong. The whole point is coming together as families to share that time together.
Chris’s parents had planned a new outdoor toy (a skateboard swing) for the grandkids so one of the first projects was to complete that.
Planning the Mechanics
Caleb Helping Grandpop with the Drill Press
Caleb Working the Drill Press
There are always ‘constants’ at our Stephenson reunions, no matter where or when they are held. One of those is a talent show, which is highly looked forward to by some and dreaded by others.
Cami’s Piano Performance
Hannah’s Piano Piece
Caleb Demonstrating His Homemade Parallettes
Emma’s 10th Grade Project Presentation
With our reunion being at Grandma & Grandpa’s house, the kids enjoyed the large backyard, especially when they had a massive water balloon fight!
Divvying up the Water Balloons
Caleb
Team Work
There is also nothing like hours and hours of time in the pool . . . with parents in the shade!
Pool Time
Other fun activities included a relaxed dinner at Lew Howard Park, . . .
Grown-ups Chatting
Becca Playing Frisbee
Caleb
Emma on the Slide
Hannah on the Swings
. . . family ice skating, . . .
Ice Skating in T-shirts??
. . . older kids’ date (12+) with Grandma & Grandpa to breakfast and SunSplash, . . .
Older Cousins (with Grandpa) at Race Track
. . . parent’s scavenger hunt, . . .
QPR Code to Start
Visiting Wells Fargo Bank
Next Clue
Singing for our Next Clue
Message in a Bottle
Clue Found at Bishop Delaney’s House
Jamba Juice Clue & Treat
One of the Clues
Roseville City of Commerce Building
Picking up Dinner for the Masses
. . . and an adult trip to the Sacramento Temple . . .
Donovan/Haley, Chris/Becca, Jed/Heather, Mom/Dad
. . . while the older cousins babysat the younger ones – even doing a temple craft!
Kara & Caleb
Emma
Temple Sugar Cube Craft
It was really sad not to have Heidi, Joseph, and their family at the reunion, but we got to Skype with them in Mongolia (where they are serving as mission presidents).
Massive Skype Attendance
One different thing this year was that Mom and Dad didn’t plan any of the evening firesides, like they have done in years passed. They got smart and passed those and other responsibilities along to us!
- Donovan – presented on his mission to Mexico
- Becca – 5 Love Languages
- Chris – Minimalism, Technology Addiction
- Jed – t-shirt designer
- Heather & Haley – dinner planning
No matter how much time or fun we have, a reunion is never complete without our family pictures, sporting our annual t-shirts.
Our Family
Cousins
Stephenson Originals (minus Heidi & Andrea)
The In-Laws
It was a great few days together, packed full of different activities and just being together. The cousins are already counting down to next year’s!
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