Christensen Cabin Week 2013

When I was about 5, my grandparents bought a lot in the Uinta Mountains, just outside of Jackson, Wyoming. My mom and all her siblings chipped in, and so the cabin was built. So every summer, my family (this time meaning my parents, siblings and our own families now that we're almost all married with kids of our own) gets together for a week of mountain bliss. 

This year it meant more than most though--I used the cabin as a reward in mind, as I finished my last class so I could graduate from BYU. It was so satisfying to arrive, not having to stress about homework and knowing I didn't need to ever again unless I choose to go back! Yay!

Jori LOVES her Grandpa Christensen, who prefers to go by papa. And having three cousins her age sure is fun! She sees Elena, my brother Mike's daughter, the most probably and they're good buddies. They're 4 1/2 months apart in age--Jori's older, but they're the same size.

I'm pretty awful about taking pictures, so I missed a lot of great stuff. Like I didn't get any of my brother Ike's family, who came up just for the last day; nor did I get any of the lake (apparently) where we went swimming. Boo...you'll just have to take my word for it: the cabin was, as it always is, glorious.

Hatch Reunion 2013

This year, Sam's brother Jotham was in charge of the reunion. He decided to have it at Sam's parent's house, and turn it into a service project reunion rather than just playing around the whole time. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it certainly added something extra to this family gathering. We played lots too though, don't worry.

Unfortunately I'm a lazy bum/was 7 months pregnant, so I spent more time napping with Jori than I did actually working. (Well, and I was trying diligently to finish up my last class...but I'd usually fall asleep in the middle of reading.) But luckily everyone else got a lot done--they dug, put the fences in and painted said fences for a horse corral, worked on the garden, Sam with the help of one brother in law put in new flooring in their parlor, shifted a ton of rocks, etc. The youngest kids completed their service by moving sand into the dog kennel, and this is where I spent most of my time. Jori LOVED this! Good gravy did she enjoy it. Its a good thing to keep in mind, for the future.

It also happened to be the fourth of July during this reunion, so we went to a parade where candy abounded and had our own little fireworks show that night. Good times. :)