The last week of July was our big Roylance Family Reunion. We all try to arrange trips each summer around the same weeks so we can see everyone, but every 4 or 5 years we have a big reunion. The family is getting so big, and now nieces and nephews are getting married so we kind of knew this might be the last reunion that EVERYONE would be able to come to. I am so glad everyone was willing to make the efforts with schedules and money to be able to be there. It was a wonderful week.
The beginning of the week was spent at Bear Lake. I'm so bummed because I forgot to take my camera to Bear Lake, so I'll have to add pics later when I get copies. There was a HUGE 9,000 Sq Ft. cabin.. uh house...uh mansion that the majority of the family stayed in. Bear Lake was optional and at the time the cabin was reserved we had no idea what our future would be, where we would be, and our financial situation so we didn't stay at the cabin. Not everyone stayed at the big house, but we were all able to hang out and play with everyone there.We found a condo not far from everyone else and stayed for a couple nights there. It worked out really good, and in a way I'm kind of glad we had our own space for our family and I'm sure we (and the kids) got better sleep than we would have at the big house.
We didn't go up to Bear Lake until Tuesday and when we got there most of my family was already out at the lake, but would only be there for another hour or so, so we went swimming at the pool at our condo. It was very fun. Then we met some others for a traditional dinner and shakes at LaBeau's. Of course, I had to have a raspberry shake. Yum!! That night Jerry stayed with the kids at the big house to play, and we went back to my sister, Rebecca's condo for our annual "Sister's favorite things" party. It is so much fun to get together with all my sisters and sister-in-laws to talk, laugh, and share our favorite things - whether it's ideas or items, it's so fun. Just like Christmas!
Wednesday we went out to the lake and had SUCH a blast playing on the beach and boating. I really will have to post the pics as soon as I get them so you can see just how much fun the kids were having. Later in the week we were asking each of the kids what their favorite memory with each member of the family had been so far. Each of us shared a common favorite memory, and it was so funny I have to share. We were out boating and Hayden was having a blast on the tube with his cousin. He kept begging to go faster and faster. We suddenly came to some bigger waves just as the tube was going over the wake and all we saw was his skinny body fly into the air. He was hanging on for dear life with all the muscles he could muster with one little hand. His body flew up, legs flew in the air and then he landed on his tummy on the tube. Of course I was scared to DEATH! Until I saw the look of terror on his face turn to laughter and he asked to do it again. He said it was the most fun. Little dare devil.
That night we had dinner with my mom and dad and sister, Rebecca's family at their condo. Then we went to the big house and played games and had fun visiting while most of the other family went to "Pickleville Playhouse" We stayed till about midnight, and even then it was hard tearing our children away from the fun - even though they were falling asleep as we did it.
Thursday we checked out of the cabin and went back to Kaysville. We rested up and got ready for the "Official Reunion Kickoff" We all met at a park that night and had pizza and night games and stories from Grandpa. That night we each got a mascot that was to represent our family for the next day at Lagoon. Ours happened to be a huge stuffed pink "My little pony." We also had to have a team cheer. So - just so I'll have it down for my own journaling purposes, here is our cheer.
"Team Sarah, Team Sarah, that is who we are..
Riding our pink pony, very, very far.
From Las Vegas to Indiana, as a family we will go...
Hayden, Rebecca, Sydney, and baby as he grows!
Friday was Lagoon day. Yes, we were one of those families. We had fun matching t-shirts, each family had their own color. It was very fun to wear there, even though for a split second my high school mentality did take over and I worried if we'd look dumb. But nope - we made it cool:) It really was fun to see family even from a distance all over the park. It was great hooking up with different families and going on the rides. To add to the fun at the park we were given tasks that we needed to do - things we would do anyway, like playing in the water, and take a picture to document, and many pictures with our mascot so we could earn raffle tickets for the raffle at dinner. So you'll notice our pink pony in many pictures.
Starting out the day - Hayden didn't want to have to wait for a picture. He was ready for the rides.
Sydney LOVED the rides. Her face was about like this the majority of the day.
Peek-a-boo
I hadn't charged my camcorder before the park, so I don't really have any video of the reunion. Bummer!
Playing in the water. A great way for the kids to cool down. I SO wanted to jump in there too. I should have!
We stayed at Lagoon till almost closing time, and even then the kids were very mad that we were leaving. It was a great day.
Saturday we had the mornings to do whatever we wanted or needed to do. We ran around a did a couple errands that had to be done since we were going to be leaving Monday morning. Then that evening we had the big event of the reunion. It was "Oscars Night." We all walked the red carpet and got family pictures. When I get all the pictures back I'll add our family pictures, etc. Then we had a delicious dinner. Each family had to make a movie, and if they didn't make one they had to do a live skit that night. It was SO much fun. Each family received an award for their movie. Our movie won the "Best use of the Force" award. I have a few of the movies at the end of this post, and as I get more I'll add them too.
Me and mom
After Oscar's night we cleaned up and had a family dance. It was just a great time!
Sydney was Jerry's dance partner for the majority of the evening.
Here are my parents with all their children and spouses. Sorry, gotta brag. I have a pretty great family!!
Here is my brother, Joseph's movie that he made.
This next one is my sister, Rebecca's Oscar movie.
The next one is my sister, Ruth Ann's movie they made for the night.
Not sure if the next link will work, but it's my brother, Dave's live performance at Oscar's night. They opted for a live performance, rather than a movie.
Click HERE!
(Most likely this won't work, but you can try)
And I know I already posted my movie before, but I wanted to include it with all the others, so here is our movie one more time.
As I get the links for more movies I'll post them here too.
On Sunday we all went to my parents' ward. After church we had a potluck lunch at a nearby park then went back to the church for a little fireside by my dad, while the younger kids played in the nursery. It was great. I was on a high. A spiritual and family high. I cried a lot that night as we said good bye to everyone. It was a great week, and a great way to say good bye to everyone. I love my family!
p.s. Sadly, the first picture of the post, including everyone is already outdated. Angela had her baby last week, and I'll be having my baby next week, and we just found out there's another grandbaby on the way. How fast the family grows right!
