We spent this past weekend with the Ellis Family for our yearly family reunion. It was held in the mountains around Preston, Idaho (Franklin Basin to be exact) - which I have decided is possibly the most beautiful place on earth.
Hunter and I slept back at my in-law's house at night because he had been having teething issues, and I didn't think camping with him would go over terribly well. Gabe and Cory did campout though - and enjoyed it. We also got to enjoy the trails around the area and do some Ranger rides on our new Ranger (Cory sold our red ranger, and bought a new one last week - it's orange and pretty cool.)
The scenery was great, the weather was almost perfect, and the company fantastic.
This weekend I felt an overwhelming gratitude to be a part of the Ellis Family. Truly - marrying into this family was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Grandma and Grandpa Ellis are seriously some of the best people I know on this earth. Loving, non-judgmental, kind, close to the Lord, all around awesome people. I really think that people from Idaho are just that way (in general) - they are just down-home, good people.
So thank you Kim and Tammy for putting on such an awesome reunion (Cory's parents were in charge this year). Thank you to all of the family members who traveled to attend the reunion. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Ellis for raising awesome children who have also raised pretty stellar kids. I hope and pray that Cory and I can carry on the legacy of the Ellis family and raise upstanding children who are strong in the gospel and who honor and value family.
8 comments:
Joanna,
Thank you kids for making such a drive to attend this reunion. I think the best part of reunions are the love and willingness to help that comes with it. We are all from different walks of life, at different levels in our lives, and you know what---we still accept and love each other just as the Savior does for us. It's kinda of a let down for me today not having all the little ones, saying "Grandma, will you do this and that with me, when can we go. . ., I'm hungry, can I have another dollar pancake, will you read to me, will you play with me, and I love you! " What a great week I had. So thank you and Cory for making it possible for me to enjoy this last week. Love Always!
what a beautiful family, Joanna. Yours and the whole Ellis crew! Looks like a great reunion! Love the pic of the boys riding together. :)
Your pictures say it all. Look at the smiles on everyones faces. You make me want to start a blog myself, even though all of my family is local her with me in Spokane Washington. Keep up the great work.
Hey---what about people from UT? Are we also just as cool? LOL
Thanks for sharing all your pictures---they are awesome! What a fun time--wish we could get together more often and strengthen each other!
What a fun looking reunion. I like your new Ranger. Is it a lot bigger than the last one?
-Jed
That looks like lots of fun. The kids really were beaming with smiles. And so many babies ! !
Brian used to hunt in Preston. He knows a couple guys from there.
Glad you are home safe and sound. Love, Aunt Charlotte
What a fun reunion! Looks great! I love the picture with all the BABIES! Oh my goodness- that is a lot of babies in one family! :)
I didn't realize the greats outnumbered the grandkids this year. Wow. 47 to 44, I think? Yeah, I agree it's a pretty special family to belong to. But then, I'm a little bias.
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