Van Jackson reunion

Doug's parents and their close friends Byron and Nancy Jackson started a tradition long ago of family vacations together called "Van Jackson reunions". 

I had never been to one.

The Jacksons were in Heber recently with all of their kids and invited us all up (sans Doug's parents since they are in Hong Kong) to hang out and have fun. 

It was a really nice big log home on a lake. 

My nephew Alex in front of the cabin. 

 

That is a lot of mini vans. 

Just down the driveway from the house there was a big playhouse and swings. 

There was an extremely steep slide coming out of the top of the house. 

Abi and Alex

Maddy let me get this picture but then I had to go over and reach up to hold her hand every time she went down the slide.

Lizzie

My little cuties..

The kids had a blast. 

Abi and Kassandra

We don't get to see Jake often because he has been deployed so much the past few years. 

Doug loved catching up with him. 

Some of the older nephews went out in a canoe. 

It was a lot of fun. We had a great dinner and a lot of fun conversation.

Disney Movie night: Brave

We had a fun movie night for Brave. 

Maddy and I made scones. 

 

The rest of the meal included: 

Shepherds Pie

Carrots

Curly fries ( Merida's hair)

Cotton Candy "Wisps"

Witch's Brew

The girls colored pictures of Merida. 

Maddy's drawing...

Abi got tired of coloring and did a puzzle...

We used this book for our scones recipe and they are delicious!

"Painted" shoes

I have wanted to try painting shoes for a long time now. 

A few weeks ago I picked up some really cheap shoes for the girls at Walmart and got out my sharpies to see how it would go. 

I drew sketches on with pencil and then colored them in with Sharpie markers. 

I made Ninja turtle shoes for Maddy.

 

I did My Little Pony shoes for Abi. 

I had to change the eyes on the ponies after the first one (Apple bloom in the center of the shoe on the left) because she looked like she was being "mind controlled" according to Abi. I agreed. Luckily the rest of the eyes turned out better.

When they were done I sprayed them with Scotch Guard to waterproof them. It dulled the color a little and a few spots bled so I am going to try it with acrylic paint next time. 

But this was a really fun and pretty easy craft and the girls LOVE them.

Maddy wants to wear hers every day!