75 Brown’s and counting BFR 2010

Brown Family Reunion is always a highlight of the year. Rianne wanted to be the first one there for the reunion, so Ria and Heath spent the week before the reunion with grandma & grandpa hopefully helping in the preparations. We heard about Heath's helping in the mud making department oh the joys of boys and summertime! The Brown's now total 75 ½. 3 are serving missions, and 7 couldn't make it bringing the grand total of attendees to 65 ½. The reunion officially began on Friday with catching up. No matter how I try I never get to visit with everyone as much as I'd like, of course if the reunion was a month long it still wouldn't be enough time! After a wonderful dinner the ladies went off to celebrate with more food and what will take that ½ to a solid Brown #76-- a baby shower for Ashley & Shaye I totally forgot her cute gift and so my talented nephew Dallin drew some beautiful Holiday onesies so she will at least know what is coming! (hopefully Brittney got a picture of that)It also brought back some memories of my own Brown family shower for Rianne thrown by the lovely and talented Tye. It meant so much to me, and the memory means even more to me now. Ria was 3 ½ weeks old and we came for Thanksgiving. Tye found out no one had thrown me a baby shower and she put one together.


Then it was off to the late night movie enjoyed on the backyard!
Look how cute the two who started this are, I think their first date was even to a movie!

Early, and Arizona to Utah time I do mean EARLY the next morning we went on a little hike. I teared up as we left and watched grandpa and Alvin walk back to their car. Grandpa used to make this hike as a kid all the time my how the view must have changed. Alvin has been having real health issues but he is such an outdoors guy that I'm sure he wanted to ditch the oxygen and head up with us so it broke my heart. I know that struggle for balance in who you are and being held back on what you can do! But they did take this picture of our group not all 65 but the 1/2 came!  

 Heath of course found Caiden (who happens to have the softest 13 year old ears ever!) I think they may have been the first up the hill, thanks for not letting him fall.

Don't mind how lovely I look in the pictures didn't I mention it was early.

Here is Robert pointing out some things to Angela, by the end of the reunion his nose had grown so I don't know how much she should believe him. J

Crazy cousins who always have a good time together and get so excited to see eachother

We also went to the Pioneer day parade. Grandma and Grandpa Great (Johnson) were the grand marshals and they looked great my kids enjoyed it too!

More Backyard business was planned with games and craft time. I'm still in awe on how 65 ½ people can fit so comfortably in Grandma & Grandpa's back yard.

I have to put in these pictures I think Brant and I have the same feelings for arts & crafts! But I did finish my bracelet, and felt quite proud of myself Thanks for cheering me on Lois and Ashley, it was very "enriching" (that's for you Shaye)!

And aren't these about the cutest reunion T's ever?

And as if all that wasn't enough it was on to the Kanab pool. I was over the top proud of Heath he was really swimming! From first words to first steps and now first strokes, they grow up too fast!

The pool was the real reason for Roberts nose growing, that slide can be rough (I'm still not too sure about his stories though)! But not as rough as a game of basketball in the pool, where Brandon not even 10 minutes into the game left for the hospital, but did return for dinner sporting stitches to his nose and head. It is an injury in true Brown fashion we document with pictures (I forgot my camera but pictures were taken, just not by me)!

Dinner was again delicious more visiting and fireworks. Brant was eating up Tavin, who as Angela pointed out does really look like a cabbage patch doll. Background is nice too Brady with a fork and T and Sara sneakin' in a kiss!

We also had a little fireworks show, this Reunion was packed with go, go, go, good times!
The next day grandpa closed the reunion with most of us in tears; he showed us a map with dots for all the missionaries who have served from our family. We really are spreading the gospel throughout the world. He talked about how our family grows with each union and each birth and grows stronger with each crisis faced. I have often said with this many faithful prayers offered on our behalf we cannot fail, and it gives me courage to go on, when my faith gets a little shaky. I know who I am and I am humbled and honored to be a Brown.  Very well planned McKay & Lois you did such a great job! 

So after all that packed into a weekend, Sunday hit and it truly was a day of rest. At one point during sacrament meeting an entire row of Browns were sleeping! Heath slept so well with his head on Caiden's lap, that after church there was a drool mark. I also loved that we sat where Nate (our nephew with Down syndrome) got to pass us the sacrament, he was so proud to do that. Nate also provided another highlight for me this weekend. He gave me the best hug I've ever had from him, I wanted to melt, then, he looked at me and seemed to be appalled at what he had done. He doesn't talk but he was vocal about what he had done. I don't know who he thought I was but I enjoyed the hug.

I always get a kick out of kids; Eloise who is 5 had me cracking up all weekend, she even got after Brant when he finished the blessing on the food and told him in disgust; "you forgot to pray Uncle Alvin" my favorite was when I asked her how I could be as cute as her and she said "you'll have to get some new clothes from the store or the neighbor's"

I couldn't believe how much Kaija had changed and I thought it was adorable that she can tell you what a lion, dog and Iron Man say. I also loved holding the newest Brown, little Daxton Cowdell, he likes milk but hasn't figured out oreo's yet!

The Brown's are genuine what you see is what you get kind of people, I feel honored to be counted among them. We wanted to be to 100 by the time it was our turn to be in charge of the reunion but that doesn't look likely. So Natalie, I think it will be awesome to get to 80 by grandpa's 80^th Birthday! So come on Brown's we only need 4 more this year! 

Work hard, play hard

 We had the Johnson family reunion in Flagstaff this year. Family picture from the weekend.  Derek & Wes, Mary & Jeff, Tyson & Travis.  One thing I know about these boys is they are very hard workers, but they can play hard too! I was counting down for this not just because I love to be with the boys but I could not wait to meet baby Isa my cousin/niece or as we say it KANEESE. I ran out to their truck the minute they arrived. She is absolutely adorable and such a good baby! She has the sweetest smile but shared it most with her dad (Derek)! I have loved watching Tyson and DJ as dads to little girls! The first day we went down to Sedona for some off road adventures.

Brant took the day one off to be with us!

Rianne and Trachelle are only 12 days apart, and didn't spend too much time apart this week

I asked Heath after he found Tyler if he remembered him from last year he answered with "I don't remember him but I like him" He also found that hot bumpy rides are a great place to take naps! This may have been the only nap he had all week and he played so hard that he fell asleep every night on our way home.

In true Johnson reunion fashion we received warnings to stay on the trail, and here is TJ adhering to advice J

We went to the Honanki Ruins, I thought it was fascinating that they recorded life and then a large figure above them, One of the boys asked if they were talking about the 2^nd coming of Christ. I wondered if they were just recording history. Interesting how things do come full circle huh? I won't get too deep or maybe I'll come back to that.

After our ATV rides and with all the red dirt we kicked up, we looked like we'd received bad spray tans! We were going to go to slide rock but it was closed so we found out about the local swimming hole.

So we went there for a picnic lunch and watched a snake have his lunch too! I'm really not one for snakes but we watched him strangle a pack rat (it was big too) and boy can they open wide to eat.

It was nice a cool in the shade and for those who were crazy enough to jump in! I love Trav's face with Brant's Jump!

 Rianne the monkey  

 

Heath the "Cling on" and Tyler!

We went to Lava River Cave to hike. Wes took some great pictures I hope he shares ;)

Heath's hiking buddy was… Tyler

We gladly stayed behind to watch Isa, so Aubrey could enjoy the hike (I don't know how much she enjoyed it, broken flashlight, alone and we forgot to tell her to go Left.L Brant loves to hold babies and she was so good, see why I was so excited!  
Trachelle kept us laughing on our drive to and from the cave, that kid is a crack up, we just love her!

The kids also did a lot of swimming this week; if I had known Alyssa would push her dad into the pool I would have had my camera. The best was when Trav realized he was going in he did a cat spin 180 to see who'd pushed him, so funny and so glad it wasn't me! Heath kept asking if he could go to the "cat" pool and we couldn't figure out what he was talking about until we realized that we had been calling it the kiddie pool and he thought we were saying "kitty" pool!

 We went up to the snow bowl and enjoyed the Sky ride and Frisbee golf. Tayla enjoyed grandpa's hat!

We also went to Wupatki ruins and sunset crater  

 Me, Jeff, DJ, Isa, Tyler, Brittney, Wes and Mary

Mary always does a great job planning these get togethers, and I appreciate her including us! I swear she teaches me so much every time we are together and here she is teaching Heath!

I like routine and this week was go with the flow Johnson style!  I think by the end my kids were a little worn out, good thing Dad can carry them J

Last year at the Johnson Reunion we got a job offer, this year we made an offer on a home! My Past has often been just the preparation I needed for my future. Things do come full circle, I feel so blessed with so many miracles this year far more than I deserve, I am looking forward to my future and grateful for my past (or at least what it has taught me)! I am eternally grateful for the Johnson's! I love my cousin/brothers or "CUZBROS" and there amazing wives!

Nothing beats…

A small town 4^th of July!

Here we are at the parade. 

We had such a fabulous weekend. We left as soon as Brant got home from work, and we lost an hour crossing that Utah line. My mother-in-law is the best, even though it was a late dinner she had my very favorite, her homemade Lasagna coming out of the oven when we got there! It was so delicious and she is too good to me. Even though Brant wants me to tell her, sweet rolls are my favorite, everything she makes is super yummy but her lasagna made me feel extra special! The next day it was summer hair cuts for Brant & Heath, and then off to the Park for Brant's 15 year reunion mingle with classmates and the kids. Heath and Rianne were soaked from the splash park and we had a great time visiting with OLD friends!

Here is the lovely Brooklyn who sparkles and shines, thanks for watching the kids so much, you are the best babysitter!
Kristi's kids took Rianne and Heath swimming and partied with them, while we went to the reunion Luau dinner. It was nice to see everyone and hear where they are and what they are all doing now. The dinner was delicious as well!   
Next was the 4^th of July celebration which started with a parade.  
Heath said "we got more candy than Halloween, I love candy", when asked why he said "because it makes me hyper-active". Then it was up to the park for games, food and fun! Again the splash park won the prize for entertainment Heath loved Karate chopping the water!

 

No 4^th of July is complete without

a backyard BBQ!

Heath really is Mr. Independent and he thinks he is just as big as all of his cousins. Here is Brandon Pitching to Heath.

He got in on the baseball game and even pitched a few! He was certain he was a key player in the backyard football game as well, only stopped for a minute when his foot got stepped on by "someone with shoes but not Morgan".

Kristi also made a Fancy Flag Birthday cake for Julie and I (We share a birthday)!

We went to Grandma Great's (Calvin & Anna Johnson) to watch the town's firework show and celebrate a little bit of Grandma Mary's birthday with her! Of course, we had to do a few of our own too! No better way to celebrate our independence than being free to run with fire and blow things up J Here is Heath enjoying the fireworks with Cousin Emily.

 On Monday Brant was able to trim a tree for his dad and of course no trip to Grandpa's house is complete without a pull in the wagon Grandpa style! We also got to try out a little patience test you can ride now for 5 minutes or wait and have a longer ride (15 minutes). We are pleased they waited patiently for the longer ride! 

I thoroughly enjoyed this weekend. We did seem to have a lot of conversations and heard a lot about divorce, death, suicide, addictions, crisis, etc. It really did make me grateful for my own problems. It is a blessing to be part of this remarkable, obedient, faithful family. I am grateful for the Johnson's and the Brown's for taking me in! Matt (Brant's brother is the Stake President), took a call and came back sat down and said "Keep the commandments" Emily said whenever he comes home from a church meeting he reminds her "your decisions don't just affect you". Maybe it is just that simple we are free to choose but our Heavenly Father Pleads "keep the commandments in this there is safety in this there IS peace." There are a lot of things that I don't like which are going on in this great nation but I am so grateful to be an American and for the privileges I so FREELY enjoy because of the sacrifice of so many!