USRT15 #12--Return to Bear Lake

Our Bjarnason family reunion started in a spot in my earliest memories, the small town of Montpelier, Idaho in Bear Lake County. I have memories of sledding on M Hill, getting free cookies from the bakery at Broulim's, filling our cups with root beer at the Maverick, walking to our elementary school and driving through this beautiful valley. I remember our house and fruit trees, our neighbors the Thomas family, and the giant sandy play area in our backyard that we flooded for fun.

We lived here when I was very young, from the time I was a toddler through my second grade year in elementary school.

Our return to this area was really a return to this place, Bear Lake, which straddles the Utah/Idaho border. I have memories of spending Saturdays at this lake, mainly playing in the mud and shallow water as if we were at the ocean.

Ronny and Denise get all the credit for running this show: they chose the rental house right on the lake, in addition to coordinating all of the meals and evening programs. 

It was the perfect spot for our large group and we enjoyed perfect weather for three days. We spent most of our time outside, engaged in activities that Anjanette planned and on the boat that Ronny and Denise rented. There was something for everyone.

The Costco chocolate cake definitely falls in the category of "something for everyone". Somehow it shows up at every important Bjarnason family event, and this was no exception as we celebrated July birthdays. I think I was the only one that sang the "Happy Birthday" song to, but that doesn't seem quite right.

The big boys independently found good spaces for reading and relaxing in the sunny main living area. The twins battled with a virus in our downstairs bedroom. Denise (and whoever jumped up to help) prepped food in the awesome open kitchen.

But most of the time we enjoyed the perfectly mild weather and the sun-drenched days by the Lake.

"Our" large sandbar was one day's play spot--it separated the lake from a pond closer to our house. After spending all afternoon out there warm in the sun, I decided I could have done this all day everyday.

After taking so few photos of the stars of the Player reunion I was determined to get good snapshots of the Bjarnason crew. My nieces and nephews are smart and cute and creative. My good brothers and sisters are doing a great job at raising them.

My favorite aspect of this family reunion was watching people come together. My mom and Millie with her sailboat. The uncles as they "caught" kids on the zip-line. Ronny and Izzy at bedtime as he sang "one more song" and rocked her after her brothers were asleep.

Many moments are filed away in my mind and heart from these three days together. I am so grateful for all the sacrifice that goes into these events, from the big ticket expenses to the smallest details. Ronny and Denise made this one so great. It will be my turn to plan our North Carolina gathering in a year and a half--I'll be ready.