Hix Family Reunion 2011

Oh wow! What a fun weekend we had. Our family just returned from the Hix family reunion and Torrey and I were in charge of the planning. I would have to say that it was a success! We had stayed at a little KOA in Montpelior Idaho, just by Bear Lake, last summer for a get away and had such a fun time that we thought it would be a fun place to host the Reunion. We arrived Thursday afternoon and prepared our camp for the festivities! The kids swam in the pool, rode bikes, fished by the creek which was stocked with a lot of fish, and just had a great time reconnecting. We sat around the camp fire and sang songs and made smores and roasted starbursts. Friday morning we were up early ready to go to Bear Lake. We didn't end up renting a boat but still had a great time. There was ultimate frisbee in the water, burying themselves alive, building sandcastles, sun bathing and whatever else you could think of. Friday night, Elerd made his annual appearence around the camp fire with a couple of new guests and a good time was had by all! Saturday morning started the day off with the first annual Hix 5K run/walk, 1 mile, or 1 lap. I have been running this summer a bit and felt pretty darn good and was able to run a full 2 miles which I usually walk a 1/4 of a mile and then run the rest, probably just changing it up out of boredom but it felt good.









We were then off for a beautiful hike in the mountains. Some went golfing, some stayed back at camp and read, rested, or swam, while others went on a hike. It was a beautiful glacier fed lake which still was being fed by the snow, and the water was COLD, COLD!! It was a beautiful sight. So worth the drive to get there. A rope swing tied to a big tree went over the lake and I was able to muster up the courage to swing over and jump into the lake. So much fun but had a difficult time catching my breath after plunging into the ice cold water. It was very rejuvenating though! Here is a video of Hattie and I jumping.




We hurried back to camp to take a very quick shower and head off to the Pickleville Playhouse in Bear Lake but first stop at the quick and tasty for a hamburger and raspberry shake. So yummy!! So at the playhouse, "Who shot Juanito Bandito" was playing. So, so funny!! We laughed the whole show. So much fun. We went back to camp for a Wild Birthday party for Torrey's Mom, who turned 70 that day. How exciting is that.

Saturday day night around the camp fire, we had a devotional type meeting with all of those leaving for college, which included Natalie, Courney(Justin's friend) and Justin, those preparing to leave for missions which included Justin, Riley, Grandma and Grandpa. They all bore their testimonies and it was such a touching fireside. Riley did an amazing job and will be such a great missionary. I am so excited for him, while he waits for his call which should be this Thursday or next, the antisipation is killing us all. He is getting more and more excited as the time gets closer, I can tell. Sunday morning Torrey and I woke up early and prepared a raspberry crepe breakfast for everyone with sausage. They had a cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipping cream mixture inside with fresh rasperries!! They were delicious. We ended the reunion with a flag raising ceremony and then heard messages from the Brother-in-laws and from our missionaries out in the field. It was a special day and a great way to end the reunion. I believe everyone had a great time! My girls are back home after spending a week at Grandma's house in Idaho and it is great to have them back however my house is quiet again. Graci and I will be home together this next two weeks before school starts because Layton started football this morning and Hattie and Hannah are at a volleyball camp. Hattie will then start volleyball next week and then school starts. Crazy!! We have had an awesome summer though which was very well spent. I think I am ready to get back to a schedule although it will be very busy with getting Riley ready to go but so fun and exciting.

Monday Morning!!! Not feeling all that good. I woke up to a bad neck. I haven't had an MRI on my neck before but I do believe that I have a herniated disk about C-3 or C-4. I have had a few accidents that have involved my neck and I believe the last one when I was pregnant with Hattie did me in. I was riding a motorcycle with my Sister Kellie while we were up camping and we came around a corner and there were two pickups parked side by side to eachother. There was really no way around them except to go down a ravein or up a straight embankment on the other side. I must have hit the front break because next thing I new, I had laid the bike down on its side and my neck hit the side of the embankment. It really hasn't been the same and occasionally, I am really bothered by it. Today is one of those days.
On a better note, Yesterday was another awesome Sunday! Hattie and I both had to speak in Church regarding Girls Camp. I just love Girls Camp and the spirit that is there. We have incredible girls in our stake and it is something I do look forward to year after year. There is an awesome song on the album of "We Believe" by Jenny Phillips and it is called Happily Ever After. The words to it are this

Once upon a time
a child was born into this life
Heaven could be seen in her eyes
There was no doubt she was divine
And if you are still, you will feel the truth
That the princess in this wondrous story is you

Chorus
It's your time
It's your destiny to shine
So arise
Be true to the royal
That's inside of you
Don't settle for the story that
The world would have you write
You were born to reach eternal life
Let Faith fill every cha[ter
Let the Savior lead you to
Happily ever after


Sometimes in your life
The world will cast a spell
And try to make your conscience fall asleep
And forget the woman God would have you be
But if you are still, you will understand
The noble role you [lay in His plan

Chorus:

When the forest fills with darkness
And the wolves seek your soul
Just know
You are simply in the place between
Your once upon a time and your
Triumph in the end

Chorus:


While we were singing this song and when it gets to "So Arise Be true to the royal that is inside of you", all of the girls spontaneously started to stand one by one and it seemed that each Young Woman was dedicating themselves to stand for truth and righteousness, follow the Standards of the Youth, follow the Counsel of their Parents and Leaders, follow the lessons taught in the scriptures and the Counsel of our Latterday Prophets. It was one of those moments that my heart skipped a few beats and I lost my breathe and was filled with such an assurance that my Heavenly Father loves me and each one of us and is so mindful of all of the individual trials and truimphs that we experience and are going through. This was one special moment that I had at camp but was filled with so many others.

Yesterday, Riley also had his Stake Presidency interview for the last final item before he sent his papers off. Pres. Young told him that it would be probably the end of August before he would get his call. I still can't believe that it is really happening. It is coming very quickly. He is going to be an awesome missionary and I am so excited for him. If he will just keep the same personality that he is at home, he will have so much fun and success. Exciting things ahead!!

The Girls and I have Dentist Appt. today. Fun, fun, fun!!
This was Riley's last post on facebook yesterday. Love it!!