Petersons Never Give Up: Family Reunion: Friday and Saturday

I bought 6 dozen Costco rolls, which in retrospect was just a lot! But it turned out really good because we decided to turn them into a french toast casserole. Michal and Rebecca found a recipe for creme brule french toast casserole and it was my favorite treat of the whole week! On Friday morning we did family pictures. I got to be in charge of the camera which was a lot of fun. We got started around 9. We did individual family pictures of each of the families as well as a big one of the whole family and all the grandkids. Unfortunately when I went to look at the photos, there was a giant sun spot on ALL the whole family ones. I don't know if it was a reflection or just where the camera was placed, but it was a big bummer! There were other things I didn't like about the photos too though, they were taken on a bench in front of a stone staircase, but since it was a such a large group you could see the sides of the house we stayed in as well as the one next door which made it look really boxy. We decided to redo the group photo later that night. Here are a bunch of my favorites from that morning. I took over 1000 pictures and narrowed it down to 200 or so, it was a lot of work and a lot of fun!

The classic pregnant lady after too long in the hot sun:

After pictures the kids played on the wii and nintendo and with other toys. The grownups talked, played piano, played with the kids, and rested. We had tickets to ride the Heber Creeper at 3 so we headed over there about 2:15. They were having a special dinosaur days ride and there was lots of dinosaur stuff and a corn pit where you could dig for coins. They had kettle corn and cotton candy. We bought Brett and Alana a large blow up dinosaur, I asked Lizzie and she refused=) Neil and Rebecca bought popcorn and cotton candy for everyone and we had a great time eating and playing with dinosaurs. The train ride was a 45 min round trip experience with tons of dancing, singing, and learning about dinosaurs. I didn't expect it to be so entertaining! All the kids loved it! After the Heber Creeper, we went to the local Dairy Keen. Eric and Natalie had been there a few days before and said the shakes were delicious and the decor was really fun. Alana and I ordered a cookie dough shake to share and Sean and Brett ordered a huge chocolate fudge one to share and Lizzie gobbled everyone's including Mimi's. We also got some sweet potato fries which Lizzie really liked! The whole restaurant was decorated with model trains, there was even a huge track around the ceiling and they had a toy train table in the corner.

We went back to the house and played more, snacked on leftover food, and took our second family picture, Sean and I spent a while scouting around looking for a perfect spot=) The lighting still isn't perfect, but i'm pleased with how they turned out.

We went back in and played more then put the kiddos to bed. Then we gave Papa his fathers day presents and Mom and Dad P surprised Rebecca and I with a thank you card signed by everyone and a gift card. Mine was to Kohls and I had a regular shopping spree yesterday=) We watched a little bit of the new Beauty and the Beast movie then we all went to bed, feeling really tired from such a fun a busy week! Brandon and Michal had a super late flight out so they took off in Neil and Rebecca's car and left it at the airport for Neil to pick up the next day.

Here are some pictures of Lizzie and Carter playing with the bubble machine earlier in the week:

The next morning we all woke up and had some yummy breakfast (whatever was left) then packed up the cars and headed out.

Lexi was all snuggled up outside our bedroom Saturday morning =)

All we had to do to clean was take the sheets off the beds and put them in the laundry room and take the trash out. Mom and Dad filled their van with a bunch of our stuff too and I spent the day unpacking. The second we got home the neighbor boys showed up to play which was nice because it kept Brett and Alana occupied while I was working. Sean had to start service that day so he ran to the hospital to round on patients. He was able to finish up in time to come home and rest for a bit before we headed out to my parents house to celebrate Father's Day with them. My mom gave Brett and Alana a fidget spinner which made all Brett's dreams come true! Brian and Jill stayed the night with us and we stayed up late talking with them about all kinds of things. They came to sacrament meeting with us the next day, then came home to nap before their flight. I came home to put Lizzie down to nap for third hour and Brian had locked the door. I rang the doorbell and knocked for 10 minutes before I finally started yelling his name at the open window. Poor guy probably thought it was the neighbor kids=) the kids colored some fun pictures for Sean and we gave him some new shirts and made him homemade buttermilk pancakes for breakfast and my grandma's rice pudding for dessert. It was a good day!