Family Reunion-August 2, 2009

I'm guessing this photo was taken the summer of 1971. Top left to right--Allen and Lois Burt, Jeff and Linda Smith, Betty and Dave Burt, Hazel and Cale Burt (Granny and Grandpa). Bottom row--John Burt holding Stephen Smith, Koren with Scooter, Bill and Kathryn Williams, Julia and Steve Burt holding Heather. Steve, Linda and John are the children of Allen and Lois.

Here we are today--we have not only grown but there are a few sadly missing. Top left to right--Allison Weber, Kristen Weber, Summer Garner, Kathryn and Brent Garner, Damon Garner, Jeff and Linda Smith, Julia and Steve Burt, Dustin and Paulette holding Kolton, Koren with Rocko, and Danny Kline. Row 2 is Summer's son Tim, Betty Burt holding Damon and Summer's daughter Lilly, Lois and Allen Burt, Betty Kline (not blood related, but still a part of the family), Jared and Emily Hurtado with Halle. Bottom left to right is Katie and Lindsay Weber, Carter and Julian Miranda (Summer's boys), and Dylan and Haden Kline.

We had a fun picnic in the Garner's backyard. Damon smoked a brisket and Kline chicken.

Jeff and Linda, Julia and Steve, Mutti, Lois and Allen, and Grandma Kline.

We had dinner and caught up on the latest news.

And we celebrated Dustin's birthday from the day before. Halle LOVES to blow out candles.

We decided every combination of photos imaginable was in order, so hang in there with us. Mutti was the "matriarch" of the pictures.

We wish the Boehme family could have completed this photo of all the great-grandkids.

Halle and I had a silly face contest. I felt it was not in my best interest to post them all.

A visit too short.

On July 28, 2009 Dustin and Paulette, Dylan, Hayden and Kolton arrived. We had been looking forward to this for a long time.

What would a visit be without a sick child?

They brought their Wii with them and it was, as usual, a big hit.

Kolton is keeping in step with the family tradition of no fear--no hill is too big to climb.

Dustin celebrated his birthday--so why am I the one feeling so old?

The family, minus Kolton (Dan and I got him all to ourselves!), went to Lagoon, but since I don't have any pictures to prove it, we'll just move right along to Snowbird. We took Katie and Lindsay. Halle was supposed to be in the picture, too, but was having a "Halle moment" tantrum at the time. Kolton stayed behind with Kris and Allison. Thank you, thank you!

Dylan and Lindsay teamed up right from the start and pretty much did their own thing. They rode the lift together and raced down the hill. Last I heard they were tied.

Halle would have loved to try this on her own. Dylan had no problem at all getting to the bottom of the hill in record time.

Emily was racing her Dad, but he has already sailed out of the picture. Sorry Em.

Notice what a great picture this is of Paulette? The secret is to crash right before you get in view of the camera. That way you have plenty of time to pose because you aren't going very fast.

Okay, here's the proof that Katie finally made it on her own. It took her a while to get up the nerve.

Our biggest surprise of the day----We jokingly asked Halle if she would like to go ride with Dustin (whom she will have absolutely nothing to do with even on a good day). She walked right up to him and climbed in his lap!

No, he didn't lose Halle--this was just another run down the slide.

Hayden tried and tried to do tricks, but he was a little bottom heavy.

Katie jumped high, and was perfectly content not trying any tricks.

Dylan and Lindsay still at war, only this time on the climbing wall. Dylan is one determined kid!

Hayden has the same determination as Dylan--he just doesn't quite have the strength.

Check out the pictures from last year. Katie is improving!

Well, then there's our little Halle, who technically doesn't weigh enough to be allowed to even try the wall. She was very patient about waiting her turn and allowing them to buckle her up, but the wall was another story.

It's probably a good thing you can't see her face. She screamed bloody murder, then once she was down and out of the harness, she was ready to try again. Women!

I asked Katie to smile so that she would look like she was having fun on the Peruvian lift. This was the absolute best she could do.

It was a very hot day, even with all that snow at the top of the mountain.

The tunnel, however, was much colder.

We had a great time. Maybe the Boehme's can join us next year?

First Dibbs on the Peaches.

Upon our return from Alaska, we discovered that guests had moved in. They took up residence in the peach tree, making it so that we couldn't cover it with the net we normally use to keep the birds from eating all the peaches. I guess this was the year for sharing.


You have to study this one pretty carefully, but there really is a momma dove and a baby there somewhere. That mom was very tenacious and refused to leave her one surviving offspring no matter how many children were jumping on the trampoline. The baby grew quickly and they are now long gone, although the peaches continue to get eaten.

Alaska--better in the summer but still COLD!

We had a glorious vacation in Alaska from July 8-14. Erin spent weeks planning and she didn't disappoint us in any way.

The boys were anxiously awaiting our arrival at the Anchorage airport.

We arrived late so we stayed overnight in Anchorage before heading to Kenai.

A few stops along the way to see the sights made the 3+ hour drive enjoyable.

Texans think they have all the big stuff?

This would never fit in with Utah decor.

Our first (short) adventure following Doug's great dinner was down to the lake for a ride in the paddle boat.

Erin and Doug tried to canoe with the dogs but decided they might end up swimming instead.

Early on day 2 we headed out for Seward where we boarded a small cruise ship for a 6 hour tour of the Kenai Fjords.

Dan could hardly wait!!! (And Brenden enjoyed playing with my camera).

Beware: They serve lunch just as the ship embarks and heads out to the deep blue sea with high winds and lots and lots and lots of big waves. We started out at the front of the ship where the ride is ever more exciting. Following lunch, I quickly headed to the very back of the ship where things are a little calmer, only to find many of the occupants losing their lunch over the side of the boat. That didn't help my cause much!

I overheard people comment about the little boy that was "so good" throughout the trip.

The glacier in the backgound is over a mile wide.

Dolphins love to escort the ships and are so playful it makes you wonder if they've been trained.

Since it hasn't been too long since we were at Disneyland, I couldn't help but think how funny it would be if we found out all these animals are really mechanical and on tracks.

AWWWWWWWW.

After a very long day, we headed home hungry and tired. Although Alaska stays light so it seems early, we were surprised to find most of the restaurants on our way home were already closed. We finally found a great Oriental restaurant close to Kenai.

Cosmo: "I eat people. This is how my dad keeps me under control."

Newman: "I'm just plain cute!"

We went out looking for moose and bears. Our trip appeared to be a failure until we found this beautiful scene at Captain Cook park. (Did I get that right, Erin?)

Following our search and only blocks from home, guess what tried to run us over?

These people are "dip net fishing." We spent an evening observing on what I consider a frigid beach.

The next morning we sent Doug out to forage for our dinner. I think it is the first time I ever heard him actually admit he was a little cold.

When Doug delivers, HE DELIVERS! That Sockeye Salmon was delicious!

Erin seemed sad that we were never able to find the time to go camping. I looked at her funny and said "this IS camping to US." We don't roast marshmallows in our backyard.

As usual, Erin served up some wonderful meals. This, however, isn't one of them. She was cooking for the dogs.

Ethan celebrated his 2nd birthday the day we left. Ethan and Nolan kept fighting over Nolan's scooter, so we bought Ethan his very own.

Happy Birthday!!

Brenden decorated the cake by himself.

This is what we found in our luggage when we returned home, compliments of Brenden. It gave us a very sad reminder that our trip was over. We love and miss you guys!