A Davis Celebration!

Dennis and Sue Davis celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary this year!  All of their family came into town to celebrate this wonderful couple who have done so much good in their family's and other's lives.  It was a celebration to remember as it lasted over four days!  Even though Mark only lived with them for less than two years, they are so kind to include us in their family.

Garrett, MacKenzie, Aubrey, Ainsley, Tyler, D.J. and Spencer.

The first get together was at the Salt Lake temple, where the teenagers in the family were baptized for Davis family members who have passed on.

The next day, Sunday, we had a family BBQ at Dennis and Sue's house and were able to reacquaint with Bart and Loni, while the kids ran around, played games and made fun of each other.  On Monday, we all assembled at the Little America Cafe, along with Dennis and Sue's siblings and their spouses.  We had a wonderful meal and presented the celebrated couple with letters from all grandchildren and a photo book with pictures, memories and letters from the adult children and some siblings.  I think they were happy to be surrounded by people who loved them and who they love.

Tuesday was a fun, crazy day at Lagoon, complete with a great Kentucky Fried Chicken meal.

Cicely, Summer, Ainsley, Brynn, D.J., Garrett, James and Spencer on the Wild Mouse.

MacKenzie, Austin, and strangers.

Amy, Loni and Bart took the health of their own spines in their hands by following the kids on Wild Mouse.  I took pictures.  I'm getting old.

D.J., Spencer, Kirsten, Austin, MacKenzie, Tyler, James.

Rattlesnake Rapids was a favorite repeat because it was very hot that day.  Though it got a little chilly sitting under the lunch pavilion right after the ride.

Mark joined us (after finishing some work and riding his bike to Lagoon). When the wet kids saw him, they hugged him and basically pulled him onto Rattlesnake Rapids, which felt good after the bike ride!

 What's Lagoon without KFC?

Bumper cars were another favorite and even Grandpa Davis acquiesced.

Dennis and Bart.

Mark, Cameron and Dennis.

Mark, Brian and Spencer.

Brian, Stranger, D.J., Cameron, Stranger, Garrett, Mark, Dennis, Austin.

No hold barred.

Tyler, James and Austin.

Dennis and Sue were happy to watch everybody be happy!

Ryan, the youngest of the Davis clan, buried himself in tubes at Lagoona Beach.

James.

Brynn and Summer shared a towel as they shivered back to our lounge spot that Mark and I protected while everyone else swam.  It was the first time Mark and I had a bit of down time since the Tour de Cure the previous Saturday, so we volunteered to keep a close eye on our belongings.

Before Bart and Loni et al, left for Minnesota, they wanted one more Utah outing.  So we joined them for Litza's Pizza in downtown Salt Lake, followed by a more detailed Temple Square visit.  It was a beautiful night, with great people!

Lagoon offers a bounce back pass - deeply discounted tickets for coming back to the park within 10 days of the first visit.  So, Austin and Garrett took advantage of this and we used our season passes that we tried out this year.  We stayed all day until close then Garrett and Austin slept over.  Fun time with cousins!

D.J., Garrett, Austin, Spencer, James.

We finally partook of the coveted chocolate covered frozen bananas and the boys raved about them.  James didn't quite finish his, so I held on to it while they went on the Samurai, which I absolutely refuse to go on or even look at while they are on the ride.  When he returned the banana was luke warm goop on a stick.  Word to the wise: eat frozen bananas, frozen.