Jex Reunion 2014

It was that time again...one of our very favorite times of the year...the Jex Reunion!!  

We were thrilled to see that they raised the speed limit to 80 mph on significant portions of I-80, so we were able to get to Laketown in record time!

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Rachel were in charge of the reunion, and they had tons of fun activities for us to enjoy.  To start, we each painted our own shirts with masking tape and spray paint.  The kids LOVED the activity.

Painting in progress

Little Pirate

Happy Sunshine Emma

Aunt Eliza made it this year!

Joely and Great-Grandpa Jex

Nothing beats the tire swing/zip line.

It's a Jex reunion...therefore, there is always LOTS of food!

Great-Grandma Jex handed out pennies for the Old Rock Candy Store.

The kids wait anxiously for their 10 pennies.

Joely's turn

Waiting for the big kids to choose their treats...yes, even the adults get pennies from Grandma!

When we were first married, we went to the real Old Rock Candy Store, but it closed down.  So Grandma made her own!

Woo-hoo!!

Higher, Dad!

Enjoying her candy store purchases.

I remember when he was only big enough to sit still in the tire swing.  Now he's almost too big!

Hanging out with Cousin Kate...one of the girls favorites!

Grandpa's trying to keep a straight face.  People had lots of fun with the t-shirts.

A rousing game of Ultimate Frisbee.  Dave and Carson had a great time playing.

The younger kids played for ages on the school playground.  Yay for a school that's just down the road.

What is it with little people and rocks?

Friday night...skit night!

Saturday morning, Aunt Gayle kept all of us entertained with her stories.

Waiting with Grandpa for our scavenger hunt assignments.

Emma and Lydia were Grandma's buddies for the scavenger hunt.

First stop on the scavenger hunt...get a picture of everyone holding change of address forms.  Bonus points for having the postmaster in the picture with you.  Check!

Second stop...in front of a bus!

The girls and I followed along in Aunt Lisa's car with Great-Grandma Jex. We enjoyed watching the antics of the truck in front!  Only in Laketown...

Third stop...Rodeo grounds!  It was hard to get the sand out of our shoes after that one!

Joely's skirt reminds me of a peacocks tail.

Uncle Shelton barely made it back on the truck after that stop!

Next stop...town cemetery.

These boys love riding in the back.

Extra points for hanging upside down.  Emma's got this one!

Grandma just chuckled watching everyone's antics.

Finally...look like Who's from Whoville!

 There was never a definitive winner, but I think we won hands down!

Every year the side of the barn changes.  I loved the theme this year!

Annual picture with Grandpa and Grandma.  This year we got smart...we took it long before it was time to leave and we actually had all 3 kids smiling!

It's only about a 10 minute drive to the lake, but this little beauty was out in no time at all.

Elli and Joely loved playing in the sand together.

Emma was a brave little soul.

Savannah, Aunt Jenner and Aunt Joy soaking up some sun.

Silly Girl!

Emma and Atti were beach buddies too.

It's Grandpa!

Carson was completely bummed out because we were ready to leave.  No one ever wants to leave.

Aunt Sjani and Uncle Ryan

We had to ride in the tire swing a time or two more before we said goodbye.

Oh, I'm just hanging out for a bit, having a leisurely time of it...

We left Laketown so sad to go, but we know we'll be back next year.  The best part of leaving was that we got to make a quick overnight stop in Star Valley and say hello to the Robinsons.  It was our first time back since we moved.  We pulled in late in the evening when the sun was setting and sprinklers were going in the fields...pure heaven!  We're so glad to be in Johnstown, but it was moments like that when we truly miss Star Valley.  We stopped and grabbed some pizzas at Valley Market and boy did we surprise Grandpa and Grandma when we pulled in.  They were excited to see us and we were excited to see them!  It was a quick trip, just a brief few hours for visiting, eating, sleeping, and attending sacrament meeting, and then we were off for home.

BONUS -- Time with Grandpa and Grandma Robinson at the ranch!

It was an exhausting trip, but we had a great time as always!  See you next year, Laketown!