Gwiliam Family Reunion

The descendants of George and Vernice Gwilliam gather every few years for a family reunion. Actually this is not all of the descendants, probably a little more than half. What a great family! We stayed at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. We loved the camp and loved the reunion.

Playing on the lake was definitely a highlight!

Cliff jumping right next to the sign that says "Cliff Jumping Prohibited" - even Grandpa Buck jumped.

There are a lot of twins in the Gwilliam family. Here are 6 1/2 sets of the 8 twins in this family.

A Gwilliam reunion wouldn't be complete without a talent show and auction. Uncle Don entertained us with his magic show.

Jill, Hanna, Kaela, Julia did a skit called The Audition.

Ezra's talent was eating to the coolest song called "Ezra Eats"

On Sunday morning, we had a devotional right next to the lake. It was so beautiful. Jill gave a great talk on Do Good, Be Good.

Hanna and her buddy Kasen Nelson (Kayla Gwilliam Nelson's son)

Jill and her buddy Elise Gwilliam (Ezra's daughter who has a genetic disorder but shows lots of signs of autism. She doesn't speak.) Ezra said that every time his son, Brett, prays he says, "please bless that Elise will be able to talk again someday, maybe."

It is amazing to see all of the things that this family has been through: divorce, cancer, death, adoption, inactive children, etc. Time will tell what the next adventures will be. Just remember to always keep the faith!!!

Waite Family Fun Day 2014 - Canada Edition

It was our turn to plan Waite Family Fun Days this year. Our idea was to rent a few jet skis at Bear Lake in Idaho.  But everyone said they wanted to come to Canada.  We didn't believe it at first, but everyone got their passports and made plans to come to see our new life. 

Two cousins didn't come so that  made 29 people at our house/yard/guest house trailer.  Creighton John had a baseball tournament, and Hailey Bennett had play practice.  One of Hailey's practices got cancelled and Jeanette got here and realized how awesome Canada was and decided she wanted to get Hailey up here.  So after many hours of searching flights and facebook options and talking it out, Jeanette booked a flight for Hailey to fly to Great Falls.  Matt, Nathan and Austin drove to Great Falls to pick her up.  They drove home watching an amazing lightning show until they were in it - then it wasn't so cool.

Back to the family reunion, our first activity:  Waterton National Park

Carly, Rachelle, Diana and Jeanette (not in this picture) all decided to dip their hair in the water at Red Rock Canyon.

Carson, Nathan, Jill and Hanna all jumped in at Red Rock Canyon. Carson said it was so cold , like negative zero degrees.

 After a fun time at Red Rock Canyon, including lunch, we hiked to Blakiston Falls.

Then we threw rocks in Wateron Lake and bought ice cream at Big Scoop.

Waites riding horses at the Agridome. Lindsey wins the most likely to be a cowgirl award!

We enjoyed a wagon ride through Leavitt with Rod Olsen and Dee Olsen as our wagon drivers.

Everyone took turns cooking meals and we ate outside in our yard - along with a couple mosquitoes.

We had a fun kickball game at the Leavitt Park.

 Every family reunion needs a little running race, so we raced up and down our driveway and road (1.8 miles or 3.6 for Nathan and Sharon).

 

All of the adults did sealings at the Cardston Temple. I wish I could have seen into heaven to see our family members that were there with us and all of the people who did the sealing work for with their families. It was awesome to have all of us in the temple.

The teenagers did baptisms, too.

Ella's favorite yellow swing

Matt and Jeanette rented the RV of Fun to travel to Canada. Rachelle, W and Diana all joined them on their journey. 

Waite Family Fun Day Quote Wall

The nice people at a hotel pool to Sharon, “Where are you headed?”

 Sharon, “Cardston”

Nice people, “You must be Mormon.”

Tristan – Everyone has to post their BMI before the race.

Tristan – I am more worried about running out of creamsicles.

Carson – you should try this anti-itch cream (aka diaper cream)

Matt when W was driving the RV of fun – Jesus take the wheel

Ella – my yellow swing

Jeanette for hours and hours –  How am I going to get Hailey here? Hailey, you are 15. Remember 15 years old.

Grandpa Randy – that’s a boat killer

Doug & Matt late-night debate: church schools vs non-church schools

Nathan – you can’t judge a town by its Wal-Mart at 10 pm

Lily – look at that sprinkler, it’s throwing up sprinks

Lily to Ella – what’s your favorite color?

Tristan during the kickball game – all day long

Doug & Emily on their trip to Banff– We have no cell phone and no money and we are trapped away from our hotel by a forest fire.