FAMILY REUNION 2009

It almost didn't happen, but thanks to flexible family members who were willing to sacrifice, we were able to have our second Forsgren Sibling Family Reunion and it seemed to be a success! Here's a rundown of our week in Utah:

Friday June 26th - We flew into SLC, arriving at almost midnight, and Bryce's brother, Tyler, picked us up and dropped us off at Paige's parents' house.

Saturday June 27th - Paige's brother, Chris, and his family (minus their oldest son, Josh) surprised Paige's mom and dad, and that kicked the reunion off. The day was spent BBQing, playing water games, and just hanging out.

Grandpa Forsgren with his two newest grand kids, Mattie and Samantha

Alex was the hit with all the little cousins, especially his little buddies, Abram and CJ

Sunday June 28th - After church, we had a family dinner (or lunch), and Paige's Mom gave the grand kids a great lesson on honesty. Then everyone played the surprise Father's Day game Paige put together. After the game, we all headed to Paige's brother, Nathan's house for his little baby Samantha's blessing. That night the siblings (minus Courtney, who had already gone home) played Paige's Dad's favorite game, Hearts. Then we all said our goodbyes. Hopefully we'll see each other before the next reunion in two years!

CJ loved hanging out with his Uncle Chris and cousin Layton, on Uncle Nathan's scooter

Forsgren family game of Hearts (it took Paige over 20 yrs, but she finally gets how to play :) From top around clockwise: Dad, Nathan, Paige and Brcye (holding Mattie), Chris, Brent, and Melanie. We're just missing Courtney and Mom :(

Monday June 29th - Bryce went golfing at Hobble Creek in the morning with his brother, Tyler, and his cousin, Tyson, while Paige met her girlfriends for lunch and a playdate. After lunch, Paige and the kids went to the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house with her parents, her brother Brent and his kids, and her brother Nathan and his kids. Afterwards, we all went to dinner at Paige's parents' favorite Mexican restaurant in Orem, Mama Chus.

Tuesday June 30th - Bryce and Paige got haircuts and then Paige's mom babysat so that we could go to lunch with some of Paige's siblings (Nathan and Katie, and Brent). Later that night we had microwave s'mores and played Monopoly the card game with Brent and Nathan and Katie.

California Pizza Kitchen for lunch. L-R: Katie (holding Samantha) and Nathan, Brent, Paige and Bryce

Wednesday July 1st - We got up early and headed to Hogle Zoo with Paige's brother, Brent, and his kids. That evening, Paige made her sister-in-law, Katie, a nursing cover.

Paige, CJ, and Mattie hangin' with the monkeys (it was unintentional that we all ended up wearing green)

Yes, there is glass between CJ and Bryce and that tiger

All the wild animals were out for lunch...like this cheetah behind Bryce (holding Mattie)

CJ with his cousins: Peter, Cathy, and Ellen, who's keeping CJ on the rhino :)

Thursday July 2nd - We ran some errands and did a little shopping in the morning. Then Paige had a Girls' night (which included dinner at Mimi's Cafe, doing hair while watching Ever After, and having a Forsgren classic dessert: hot pudding over ice cream) with her mom, sister-in-law, Katie, and her nieces Cathy and Ellen (and the baby girls, Mattie and Samantha too :), while Bryce played basketball with his brother, Tyler, and some friends.

Mattie and her cousin, Ellen (with Grandma in the background), at Mimi's Cafe for Girls' Night Out

Here are the little twin cousins, Samantha Forsgren and Mattie Mackay, only 10 weeks apart in age

Friday July 3rd - In the morning, we said goodbye to Paige's brother, Brent, and his kids, and then saw a hot air balloon land almost directly in front of Paige's parents' house. Paige and Bryce took a drive around Provo to see what has changed since they moved, and then Paige did some quick shopping with her mom. For dinner, we went with Paige's parents to a new burger joint - Five Guys Burgers and Fries - and spent a relaxing night in.

This hot air balloon landed right in front of Paige's parents' house (that's her mom's car's bumper on the right)

Saturday July 4th - We got up early to run the Provo Freedom Run (Bryce ran the 5K with his brother, Tyler, and Paige ran the 10K in just under 9 minutes per mile). After the run, we went and picked up CJ and Mattie and headed back to Provo to go to the parade with Bryce's brother and sister-in-law, Tyler and Gaby, after which we all went to lunch at one of our favorite's, Costa Vida. That afternoon, Paige's mom once again watched the kids while we went and got ice cream with Paige's brother and sister-in-law, Nathan and Katie. Then we picked up the kids and headed down to a BBQ and fireworks at Bryce's Uncle Bart and Aunt LuAnn's in Mapleton.

Bryce and Paige after the race. Those water bottles were our finishers' "medals"

click on the grid to enlarge the pics

Mommy helping CJ with his first sparkler


Ahhh, brotherly love. CJ giving Mattie 4th-of-July kisses. So cute!

Sunday July 5th - We said goodbye to Paige's parents and flew out of SLC around noon. Bryce's dad picked us up in Seattle and we hung out for few hours at Bryce's parents' house. Then we drove back to Wenatchee (you should have seen Bryce changing CJ's diaper on the side of the road in the rain!).

Goodbye Utah family and friends! We miss you already!!