Utah Trip June 2010

Our annual Utah Trip came in June this year. There were a few reasons for this trip. One, Robert was returning from his two year mission to Mexico and Second, the Rudd family Reunion.

Before making our trip to Utah Albert and Jenn went to Mexico to visit Albert’s family. While they were there they picked up a number of small Mexican flags and one large one. This was planned so that we could decorate things for when Robert came home off of his mission from Mexico. The day finally came for Robert to come home and we decided to do a lot of decorating around the house. We decorated the outside with Red, White, and Green lights as well as hung a few Mexican Flags. One of the activities we did with the kids is made a large banner. This banner had everyone’s hands on it with our names and colored with the same colors of the Mexican flag.






We all finally left to meet Robert at the Salt Lake International airport where a few of us dressed up in Hispanic attire. As we entered the airport Andy was approached by a Hispanic man that started to speak to him in Spanish. Andy quickly told him that he didn’t understand a word he was saying. We all got a great laugh! We definitely brought a lot of attention to us by the way we were dressed. We had a great time though. After about an hour of being at the airport Robert finally made his way to where we were. He looked great! Hugs were given to all and he looked SOOOOOO happy and extremely skinny. The day was so long that we finally got to President Nielson’s office around 11:30 PM to get Robert set apart.



Rudd Family Reunion at Property
The Rudd family reunion was held at Mom and Dad’s property. We got down to the property a day before everyone else to get things set up and prep for the arrival of all the Rudd’s except for the Nathan Sharp family, the Jason Rudd family and Thomas Albert himself. They were all greatly missed. There were many activities that were done while we were at the property.





Megan and Alexis were able to drive four wheelers for the first time in which they had the time of their lives. Most of the time was spent just enjoying one another’s company and there was plenty of time for activities despite the weather not being the greatest.



Some of the activities that we did you can see below.
Tubing and Canoeing down the freezing cold river



Roasted lots of marshmallows and making ourselves sick







Kids 3 Legged Races and Kids Potato Sack Races



We made water rockets as teams and then launched them in the open fields



Rode Wave Runners in the river



Real Time Minute to Win It



The Watermelon eating competition was one of the grossest activities that one could be involved in. Many of those that participated spoke of the need to puke after consuming the amount of Watermelon that was eaten.


The Lay of the Land


One of the highlights for my wife was shooting clays with the shotguns. Jess had never shot clay and was unsure what to expect. She sat back and watched a number of people shoot and then decided that she would take a turn. As she got ready she placed the gun to her shoulder and then cried, “Pull”. The thrower was pulled and the clay threw the air. As Jess pulled the trigger and to her surprise the clay broke into many pieces. She looked around and said, “I hit it”. She is a natural.



Jess and I left the family reunion one night to enjoy some time away at the 1995 Chamber Choir Reunion that was held at Lone Peak High School. Josh Pehrson the Chamber Choir President had decided that we would try to hold a reunion and bring together as many people from the choir as we could. It was great to see everyone again. There were only a few people that were missing. We spent time just catching up from the many years many of us had not seen each other and then we were able to take some time and sing some songs. “Mamma J” mentioned that this was the first time ever that any of her choirs had come together for a reunion of any kind in her many years of teaching. We took a group picture and then had it developed during the time we ate and sang songs. Miss J was presented a frame with the picture that was taken in 1995 for the yearbook and also the picture we took of the group during this reunion. A great time was had by all as we came together from all over the country including: Texas, New Mexico, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.


The river at the property was freezing cold due to all the rain that we received but that didn’t stop many of us from bathing after our float down the river. Poor Jess even had to get in due to the mud that was put on her while sitting on the dock. She was not happy but was a good sport.



One morning Jess decided that she would take the girls to the dock and go fishing. Nothing came from this experience except for holding the pole while sitting on the dock. The girls said, “This is very boring.”





Happy 11 year Anniversary!!!!
Once again, Jess and I spent our anniversary with many of those we love. Our 11th Anniversary was spent during this reunion. For our anniversary dinner we were able to have Dutch oven Fajita’s. A special thanks goes to Darrell for the wonderful meal, Mom Dollar for the Martinelli’s drink, and Kerrie for the half burnt candle we used for our candle light dinner. This is one that won’t be forgotten.