Fun with Family

We have had such a busy, fun, delightful week so I'll tell you about it.

Monday we had a murder mystery dinner with my family. The theme was Mardi Gras so we were all decked out in beads and masks. Brad's character was a lawyer and best friend of the victim named Stephen J. Peek. I was an eccentric novelist named Connika Gothika. Among the other characters were: the young, trampy widow of the victim , his French maid, his spoiled daughter and her fiance, a Jazz musician, and an aspiring TV chef. We had a fun night! The story was a little crazy. If you can think of any scandal that would involve those characters, it was probably in the script. As it turns out, Brad was the murderer! No one saw that coming. We had a lot of fun eating and trying to solve the mystery. Thanks for a fun night everyone!
Tuesday kicked off the first Rick Hansen Family Reunion. We started things off by celebrating Brad's birthday. Brad wanted to go to Teton Canyon and repel and climb so we invited Jeff, Cassi, Doug and Jessica to come with us. It was so gorgeous up there! Jeff brought his camera and took some amazing pictures (featured below). We had a great time repelling off a big overhang cliff and swinging out over the canyon. What a rush!

By the time we got home, all of the Hansen family were here. We had a fun dinner catching up with everyone, then we left to go to The Savior of the World. It was such a beautiful production. The cast was incredible, especially Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. I think I cried in almost every scene. It was just very moving.

Wednesday we took it a little easy and just spent time together. Later in the evening we took the grandkids to the carousel. I set Lainy on a horse and held her on. The carousel started and she just looked around. Then the music started playing and she looked at me with a startled look on her face and started crying. She didn't settle down until the ride was over. Poor baby! It was just too much.

Thursday was a gorgeous day so we went boating at Ririe reservoir. There wasn't a breath of wind and the lake was really smooth. Everyone had fun skiing, tubing, swimming, and enjoying the sunshine. My dad had given us a life jacket for Lainy to wear. Every time we put her in it she pouted. It was kind of funny. She wouldn't look at any one, she just stared straight ahead with a little scowl on her face. She did like kicking her legs in the water, however, so her whole day wasn't terrible. ha ha

Friday was the 4th of July! We went to the parade in the morning, had a bbq, had family pictures taken, and went down to Idaho Falls for the fireworks. Most of the Hansens were playing in the Freedom Symphony at the Shilo Inn, so we all got a free dinner and great seats for the show. The dinner was okay, the fireworks were awesome! Lainy watched them for a while, then snuggled up with her dad and went to sleep. What a sweet baby! Brad and I planned our getaway after the show so we wouldn't be sitting in traffic all night. It worked out perfectly! The show was over at about 10:45 pm, and we were home just after 11:30. Wahoo! Brad's family wasn't as lucky. They didn't get home until after 1:30. Still, it was a fun day! Saturday we had a big family breakfast, then went to Heise hot springs to swim. We got Lainy a little baby raft to sit in. She liked it for a while, then she wanted to get in the water. James had a lot of fun with it after Lainy gave it up. The rest of us had fun going down the water slide, watching Sarah Jane swim, and playing with the kids. We had a picnic by the river, then came home. Saturday night was the talent show. Lainy blew her whistle. David sang a song. James sang some songs. Sarah Jane played the violin. What cute kids! Becca read some beautiful poetry she'd written. Jessica played her performance piano piece. Richelle and Bryce sang a funny song about a baby needing a nap. Dallin played his violin for us. The Hansens did a little stupid skit, and so did Brad and I. Then all the brothers sang some barbershop. It was a fun evening.

Sunday morning we had a family testimony meeting. The spirit was strong. Brad and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful families! It was sad to say goodbye to our family members who live far away. We love them so much! It was fun to be together for a few days.

Now that our week is over, Brad and I feel like we need a couple of days to recuperate. Lainy slept almost 13 hours last night, if that's any indication of how exhausted we are. But it was all worth it! We love our families!