The reunion of ALL reunions!...
Welcome to Midway, Ackerson Family!
I LOVE how in my family, we all take turns planning the annual Ackerson reunion. We get together often enough, for blessings/ baptisms/ etc, for those who live reasonably close, but it's just one more reason to get together. When you have this many cousins so close in age, who can resist! Well, after 7 years, it was MY turn! Haha, my turf! It took some planning, like a full 11 months worth! Seriously, I reserved the campground last September, and it was totally worth it! Lush, green grass, apple trees (starting to shed their apples, but no bother), our OWN restrooms with hot showers and a kitchen sink (which we didn't discover until the last day), and only minutes away from the weekend's festivities! I have so many pictures, but can only post a few. Maybe Tom will update ackerson.org with his collection!
Thursday: "optional" hike up Timpanogos
In memory of Grandma and Grandpa Allen, who loved hiking Timp and lived it it's shadow for most of their lives. We had originally planned a summit hike, but got heavy support for a Timp Cave excursion as well. Bevan headed up the cave hike and some of us separated for the push to the top. It was so beautiful and very few people on the trail. Vanessa, Trent, Sterling, Sarah, Kim, and Bentley all came. We submitted in about 4 1/2 hours, NOT BAD with a 10-year-old in our group! You rocked it, Sarah! The views were incredible but I forgot how HIGH it was! We had the shack all to ourselves and lingered as long as possible. We had to hurry back to relieve the babysitter. Timp is no place for children. Dinner was spent at the Heber Farmers Market, where we found the corndog wagon. Those things are amazing!
Friday: Deer Creek!
Family reunions are best spent on exposed lake shores with portable shelters and heavily-sunscreened children. Deer Creek didn't disappoint. To make all the fun possible, I had to make a few favors. Thank you Willie, Jill, Kristine, Warren, Trisha, Paige, Beverly, Lloyd and Dad's truck for making it all possible. We had every water toy imaginable, except the coveted water trampoline, but I had to draw a line somewhere. The weather was beautiful and not too windy. We finished the fun with home-made Cafe Rio. The biggest disaster of the day? Soupy sweet pulled pork. I'll take it!
Saturday: Golfing and Cascade Springs
Those boys left way early for their tee time. I guess they didn't get enough because they went back later in the afternoon. Cascade Springs was pretty enough, but I remember it taking more time, and not being so hot! It definitely cooled down in the afternoon when it started raining! Vanessa took care of lunch AND a craft making puppet monsters! The kids were loving it! We helped them put the basic puppet together, but they came up with their own accessories: fangs, wings, hair, hats, bows, fins, tongues, etc. It was a huge hit. We ended the day with skits and it left me thinking, "we have a pretty creative family! Who comes up with this stuff?!"
The reunion was a success! I'm sure glad it's over so now I can concentrate on the last major summer activity: Swiss Days 10K on Labor Day weekend! And then what? I can sit back and enjoy the rest of summer!
