In my opinion this year’s Phil Petersen Family Reunion was a huge success. I believe lasting memories were made by all. Here are some of my favorites.
Capriel was a memory in and of herself. This little firecracker could keep you entertained all day, just by watching her. Whether she’s hanging upside down on the zip line, dancing around the living room, or gently holding her baby cousins she is always afire with passion. I just love her. Fortunately, she’s also an eager subject, so here’s another favorite shot of her.

Capriel has two other cousins her age. Both are boys. You might think this would intimidate her, but the opposite is true. She left one crying when he tried to imitate her wild moves on the zip line and fell off flat on his back, and another voicing the realization “I’m just not brave like other boys.” What he didn’t realize was that all those other boys were just trying to keep up with this little girl. She’s a dare devil to the extreme and has the strength and coordination to suit.

You can’t visit Utah without a visit to the mountains. While excessive moisture, and Tom’s sprained ankle prevented us from taking any long hikes. Several walks, and one short hike at least partially filled the desire I had to spend some time in the mountains.

Scotland went swimming for the first time! He took it like a champ, and seemed to really enjoy himself. Even more fun though is how playful he has been in the bathtub ever since- I think he realized that water means Play!

Seeing this picture a couple of weeks after the fact, I’m struck by the beauty of it. It symbolizes the close of a very difficult period in Brigette’s life, (and perhaps the opening of another). Looking at this picture you could never know the many prayers and miracles that occurred to bring that sweet little girl to Brigette’s arms.

One of the things I love about spending time with my family is watching Tom interact with all our nieces and nephews. He impressed them all with his huge cannonball splashes, and organized a game of sharks and minnows to their great delight.

Sabina wanted to take the opportunity to teach her children the importance of education and working hard to achieve goals. So she organized a little PhD celebration for Tom. Dantzel and Talia made him a graduation cap, Adalee played “Pomp and Circumstance,” And Brecklyn award him an honorary degree! Then Tom talked to the kids about his experiences.

 “Greek Night” was super fun. We all gathered together in the kitchen to make baklava, spanikopita, Greek salad, hummus, and gyros. We listened to greek music and even finished out the night with a little Greek dancing. I was a bit worried that my family wouldn’t take to the idea- especially the youtube instructional dance video. But I needn’t have. Everyone jumped into the fun, laughing and yelling “opa!” as the little kids starred intently at the screen trying to imitate the moves. Dallin was my favorite. “Let’s do dah dahnce!” he yelled over and over until we got it started.

Field Day was a hit. My family has always cultivated a healthy dose of competitive spirit. We all got a real laugh over Trevor and Derek’s methods of winning the three legged race: hold your partner up so high their feet never touch the ground- then run!
 
Note Trevor’s lead is obviously due to the fact that Dallin’s feet never touch the ground!

This is one of the things I particularly love about my family. Our family get togethers always include physical activities. This year they were particularly abundant- walks every day, a hike, swimming, field day, a bike adventure for the kids and a bit of volleyball.
 
But, while we’re an all around healthy family we do our share of eating as well. One of our newer traditions is a bake off. This year the theme was muffins. Anyone who wants can summit and entry, this year we had eight.

Dantzel and Brigette’s Delicious and Incredible Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins were the winners. Though Lauren’s Apple butterscotch were a close second. Tom though my Lavendar scone muffins should have won, but alas! I loved Adalee’s contribution “English Muffins” So clever!

It was important for me to let Scotland meet his great grandparents. And it was his first time to meet his Grandpa as well.

Scotland loved Great Grandma Harrison.

and Great Grandpa Harrison took him out to see his horses.

Scotland gave great grandma Petersen lots of smiles. She kept saying he has my eyes.

Poppa Pete took care of Scotland while Tom and I were at the temple, and while my Dad felt Scotland “wasn’t sure about him.” I know he loves him. I love the above picture. Seeing it just now has brought tears to my eyes. Just look at my Dad’s face. There is this quiet reserved love in his eyes. Scotland is not aware, but obviously comfortable. This is very much the way my Dad loves. Constant, quiet, but strong.

This year we had story time with Poppa Pete. It was one of the highlights of the reunion in my opinion.

My dad was worried his stories would put the kids to sleep- that they wouldn’t b
e interested. But he pulled out his old theater side and his stories were riveting. We all loved them. He told of how Great Grandpa Petersen carried the pot of oil outside with his bare hands- saving his house, but burning his hands to the bone. How Grandpa Petersen took a load of gunshot in one of his buttocks but miraculously survived. He told of how he bashfully courted my Mother, and professed his love for her. I hope this becomes a new tradition.

The talent show is another tradition. This year featured beautiful musical numbers by Ryanna, Adalee, Capriel, Dantzel, Talia, Brecklyn, Bryce and Sabina.

I was so grateful I got to be there for Keiton’s blessing. Seeing so many priesthood bearers gather around this tiny little boy was stirring. They seemed to symbolize his potential- his future. I hope he had a chance to look up and see the exemplars of manhood and fatherhood that surrounded him.

And of course a family reunion is never complete with out a family picture:

Back Left: Trevor, Claire, Lauren, Dallin, Bryce, Tom, Kjirsti, Scotland, Keiton, Brigette, Dave, Brielle
Audrey, Eli, Derek, Dad, Owen, Mom, Capriel, Sabina, Craig, Rhyse, Landen
Ryanna, Dantzel, Adalee, Brecklyn, Talia
(Devin: on mission in Germany)