“In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” Hinckley

I LOVE this. Poor tired little Houston. Such a cutie!

Maren, Owen, Heath, Lily

At the beginning of June all the Bennion folk came to town for a 3 day wonderful reunion. The first evening we met at Jolly Mill and had a marvelous BBQ. It was so fun to kick back and have fun in the water catching up, catching craw dads, and catching leeches. : /

Heath & Bertie. These two just love to play together.

Most of the time was spent at the Fairview Community Center.

Jeddie

It's so fun to just kick back and enjoy conversations with loved ones.

Ana had brought her face paint and had painted up the kids well. She's pretty talented.

"I wish I could apoligize to every person I ever asked to push me in a swing." - Luke

Sweet little Rosie. : ) The one who got sick on the back roads of Arkansas.

Rebecca had a bunch of pool noodles and a grand idea.

Joe

Rebecca, this may just be my favorite picture of you. : )

Houston Henry Wyatt

Houston

Lily & Matt

Porter, Joe, Henry

Grandma Jeanne living the good life.

Aunt Lee and her gals and Gwenny.

Roy, Matt, Matthew S, Pete, Sam

The sweet little sleeping beauties - Isla, Elaina, & Lucy. Houston ended up joining them after a while.

All these cousins played so well together. The old ones, the young ones, everyone. It's so fun to play with cousins.

Renata, Ava, Luke, Wyatt, Owen

Henry, Porter

Wyatt, Owen

Everyone was happily running and playing when all of a sudden Ava started yelling, "Stop! STOP! Everyone Stop Right Now!"

[mass chaos and laughing comes to a halt and all the kids stand motionless]

"I Have AN ANNOUNCEMENT To Make!

I Am Pretending To Be a TIGER!"

[all the kids look at one another, then back to Ava, then the chaos resumes.]

Heath & Bertie, they really are the best of friends

Henry James & Henry James

Lily & Julia

Ava & Wyatt

Maren

Wyatt & Grandpa

Boone was afraid to slide on his own, so Sarah took him down, and down again, and again, and again. They were so cute.

Heath & Memphis

Houston

That playground got a serious workout those few days we were there.

The last day of the reunion we were to have a picnic out at Pea Ridge National Military Park. Rebecca and I thought it would be fun to hike around the park prior to the picnic with our kids. I'm so glad we did. We walked about 3 miles total and only were able to see about a fourth of the park, but learned so much. I want to go back someday when the boys are older and see the whole thing.

The walkers - Renata Gwen Heath Ana Benji & Nina [in Benji's backpack]

The riders - Isla, Hannah, Julia, Houston

It was really humbling to be where these battles had taken place. To walk where the soldiers walked. Where many had given their lives so that we can live the way we do today.

Isla Houston

Ana

I was so proud of Heath. He walked/ran the whole way. He didn't complain at all. All of the kids did great, there were only a couple grumbles at the very end.

Renata Heath Nina Rebecca Julia

After our hike and meeting up with the rest of the cousins for lunch we went into the museum and watched a documentary telling the events that unfolded at Pea Ridge. We were there in the hot summer, but the battle was fought in the winter. Many men died from exposure and illness. After visiting the boys both said they wanted to be soldiers. I hope that they never have to see what was seen here.