Family Reunion

Today is June 16th....we are in Albion, Idaho....look at the temperature at 1:00pm! C.r.A.Z.y! I know!! We were not expecting this cold weather, but we are making the best of it.

Welcome to The Henry & Afton Bradford Family Reunion.....

{warning...there are a lot of pictures!}

My sweet Grandpa with his seven children

{from left to right (and in order of age)...

Elaine, Dale, Donald, Jay (my Dad),

Grandpa, Henry Kent & Dallas}

Grandpa with his children & their spouses
I know this picture is small, so it's not the best to see people, but there were 129 people in attendance {there are 184 members of our family}. Out of that number 44 were children between the ages of 2 & 12. A lot of kids!

Grandpa with some of his Grandchildren

Grandpa with his Grandchildren & their spouses

Grandpa with a bunch of his Great-Grandchildren

We made a "Living Family Tree"....

This is "my" family with my Grandpa

Some of my most favorite people in the world...

My Uncle Dallas & Aunt Marjorie's family

Kent & Kay and their family

Henry & Trudy and a "small" portion of their family. They have 11 children, and they all have a good number of children...so you see, this is a small bit of their family.

Donald & Sue and their family

Vaughn & Elaine and their family.

Somehow I do not have a picture of Dale & Brenda. They planned our reunion this year...it is a lot of work to plan these reunions, but they did a great job.

The reunion was held in Albion, Idaho at a place called Campus Grove. The building we used is an 8000 sq ft college dorm that has been completely refurbished. It was nice.

We started out having a lunch at a park in a building that was available because it was RAINING and remember it was 37 degrees! After we were checked into our facility....we had some GET TO KNOW YOU GAMES. They divided us into groups based on your age. Notice Noah really participating, this is normal for him. I hope he grows out of it soon!

The adults had a lot of fun playing about 3 different games. Each family has different assignments at our reunions & Dallas' family was in charge of the welcome games. My cousin Kirk was the leader for our group. Always up for a good time when Kirk is around!

My cousin Julie leading the "teens"

My cousin Leslie leading the "wanna-be teens"

After our games....a lot of free time for playing....outside {because the rain stopped finally}, card games, up in the game room a lot of fun going on.....

my sweet niece Emma

Taylor & Olivia {nieces}

Noah & Mason out playing before the rain stopped...

notice Mason has no shoes on!

Noah & his cousin Hailey

my sweet Grandpa & his Great-Grandson Adam

two of my favorite gals..Callie & Sunda....they used to live near me in Ohio....I've seen these girls grow up since they were born...Callie just graduated HS this year & Sunda is married!!! Doesn't show my age, does it?!

Like Father, Like Son

My Mom & Aunt Brenda working on our Family Flag

Family Olympics....this is a family tradition. Most of my family did not participate because our meal assignment was for lunch following the Olympics, so we were preparing food.

My brother Paul giving Brynn a ride.

One night we had Family History Skits...

Not my most favorite thing to do, but I did it. Each family had to perform a skit based on anything from our Family History. It was a fun night, with great skits. We have a talented family!

My Aunt Kay, Grandpa & Uncle Kent...telling a story about how to catch Deers....pretty funny.

My Grandpa has an amazing talent & he was put to the test. When my Grandpa was very young, in school one day he would not stop talking...the punishment was he had to learn the ABC's backwards. My Grandpa can still to this day say the ABC's backwards FASTER than you can say it forwards. He was put to the test several times that night & he always won.

This is Chad & his fiance Melissa....this was 6 days before their wedding day. I really loved meeting her. Chad & Missy are perfect for each other. Chad is my cousin Leslie's son....he is Callie & Sunda's brother....another one of my favorite people! I had not seen Chad for a couple of years, he was serving a mission for our church in South Africa and before that he was away at school. It was great to see him!

G.A.M.E.S.....this is a tradition too. Morning, Noon & Night....we are a game playing family. It's a great time. If you notice I'm always playing with Leslie or Kirk.

My Dad was super excited that his Lakers won the Championship game...he was a little stressed during the day not knowing if he would be able to watch the game....but he found a place in this small town of 232 people that had a tv with the game playing.

My sweet Grandpa with my brother Paul

My cousin Michelle & my Mom

My Mom & my Aunt Marjorie

my cousin Julie & me

My cousin Kirk & me. Kirk and I have been great friends since we were born. We have always been close and although we don't see each other often or talk....we have a connection, he's the best.

I love my family....I love our family reunions....we always have such a wonderful time. I'm so blessed to be a part of this family. My Grandparents, Henry & Afton Bradford have blessed my life with their examples, love & their great example. I love them so much!

Oregon/California Trail

Today we went to the Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho

Your wagon train is about to travel from Independence, Missouri, over the plains, across the continental divide, and to the Oregon Territory. The Wagon Master will make sure that you have the necessary provisions and are prepared to meet the challenges of the Oregon / California Trail.
We invite you to also travel with us back in time. The year is 1852. The United Sates is a young and growing country. There are no "modern conveniences". The economy has been through some hard times. You are concerned with the health and well-being of your family. There is the promise of a new life out in Oregon.

To get the most out of your journey, let your heart and mind go back to 1852. It will take a little effort, but the people you meet will help. We were taught what we would need to bring on our journey, how much it would cost, what we would need to hopefully survive the journey.

We even rode in a simulated wagon. It was bumpy! I cannot imagine what it would be like to be walking this trail, because not many people rode in the wagons.

We were taught what happened during an average day or night. I have to say I am spoiled. I love my bed, my shower, my fridge. The list goes on and on. But I am thankful for those things also.....I doubt Noah learned anything from this day, but I sure did!

What a journey!

Bear Lake

We have some old family friends, Milt & Judy Jensen. We've known them my whole life. My Dad & Milt used to be business partners, we lived next door to each other, we're like family. Milt & Judy have two homes, one in Bear Lake and the other in Southern California. They like to spend their summer and fall in Bear Lake and the remainder of the year in California.

They have a beautiful piece of property right on the lake. This picture does not do it justice. They bought a house that they have refurbished and added on to. They are right on the lake...they have a huge grass area, a play structure, a treehouse and a swing...and IF the weather had been better {aka at the least bit warm} we could have used the boat & the jetski's.
This is Noah and Ginger. She is a 4 year old golden retreiver. She loves kids. LOVES them! And Noah loved her! She was going to have a hard time when we leave because she was really into playing with the kids. I have a video at the bottom showing how her & Noah interacted with each other. She slept in bed with Mason one night, he thought that was pretty cool.

I was playing around with the settings on Deanna's camera, hoping to learn a couple of things. I did take some pictures that I liked. But I have a ton of learning I need to do to improve my picture taking.

Mason on the swing

Emma

Mason & Noah

Noah & Milt preparing to fly the flag

It was a fun relaxing time spent with our dear friends. We laughed, played games, ate, talked....just enjoyed being with each other again after many years. We promised that our next visit would be sooner, rather than later!