Banks Family Reunion

We had our annual Banks family reunion up Cedar Canyon near the SUU Mountain Center. Thanks to everyone who contributed to make it a great time.

We went up Thursday afternoon and got the tent setup. We chatted and waited for others to arrive. For dinner we ate hoagie sandwiches. That evening we sat around the campfire visiting and have a good time. Austin slept on top of their suburban and Garrett on the bed of a trailer.

Friday morning we had mouth-watering biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and hash browns for breakfast. For lunch we had delicious nachos and for dinner refreshing taco salad. We did a Fish Pond game where the kids got to fish for a small toy. The straw cowboy hats were a hit. The kids also played the jelly bean game where they tried to balance them on a knife while scooping them out of a cookie pan. Harrison sprained his ankle playing so he sat most of the evening. We saw some deer and a few woodchucks.

Saturday morning we ate fresh donuts, French toast and sausage. Did I mention the donuts? They were great, but wait...there's more. My mom and dad broke out the alligator jaws later. They were YUMMY! For lunch we consumed hot dogs. We did the candy cannon and the kids made necklaces out of beads.

We left the reunion early afternoon so we could make it back to the town festivities. The time went so fast, but it was fun to see everyone and be with them. We love you family!

Main Street Mile

Becca, Bryn, Ashlyn, Jesse and I ran the Main Street Mile this morning in Cedar City. It was the second time Bryn, Ashlyn and I have run it. The race began at Smith's and finished at the Main Street Park. It started at 9:30, just before the Pioneer Day parade at 10:00. Our times were as follows: Chad 5:29, Becca 6:18, Bryn 6:30, Ashlyn 6:33 and Jesse 6:50. A couple of my sisters and their kids ran it as well. It was fun to see old high school classmates and people from around town.

Family Reunion near Tropic Reservoir

We spent the last three days camping near Tropic Reservoir with Becca's side of the family. I took half a day off work Thursday. We got to the site at about 3:30. It took us about two hours to get there. There was road construction that held us up at times. We greeted those who were already there and then setup our tent, sleeping bags, etc.

We each took our own dinner. We roasted some gourmet tube steaks over the open fire. We also had chips, veggies and cookies.

The activity that night was "The Big Dig", where we all took turns, by age group, jumping into a box of wood chips searching for quarters, candy and toys. We all met together under the pavilion for a devotional and to listen to some cowboy poetry. The poetry reminded me of a favorite poem of mine:

I Wish My Daddy Was a Dog

One day, when Bruce was just a lad, starting out in school,
He came into my workshop and climbed upon a stool.
I saw him as he entered, but I hadn't time to play
So I merely nodded to him and said, "Don't get in the way." 

He sat a while just thinking---as quiet as could be.

Then carefully he got down and came and stood by me.

He said, "Old Shep, he never works and he has lots of fun.

He runs around the meadows and barks up at the sun.

"He chases after rabbits and always scares the cats.

He likes to chew on old shoes, and sometimes Mother's hats.

But when we're tired of running, we sit down on a log;

I sometimes get to thinking--I wish Daddy was a dog.

" 'Cause then, when I come home from school, he'd run and lick my hand

And we would jump and holler and tumble in the sand.

And then I'd be happy, as happy as could be.

'Cause we would play the whole day through, just my dad and me.

"Now I know you work real hard to buy us food and clothes.

And you need to get the girls those fancy ribbons and bows.

But sometimes, when I'm lonesome, I think it would be lots of fun

If my daddy was dog, and all his work was done."

Now when he'd finished speaking, he looked so lonely there

I reached my hand out to him and ruffled up his hair.

And as I turned my head aside to brush away a tear,

I thought how nice it was to have my son so near.

I know the Lord didn't mean for man to toil his whole life through

"Come on, my son, I'm sure I have some time for you."

You should have seen the joy and sunlight in his eye

As we went outside to play--just my son and I.

Now, as the years have flown and youth has slipped away.
I've tried always to remember to allow some time to play.

When I pause to reminisce and think of joys and strife,
I carefully turn the pages of this wondrous book of life.
I find the richest entry recorded in this daily log
Is the day that small boy whispered. "I wish my Daddy was a dog."

Elrod C. Leany

Friday morning we had flavored oatmeal, muffins, pineapple and strawberries for breakfast.

After breakfast we played a bunch of games including eating a donut on a string, passing a wooden spoon tied to yarn through our shirts, hitting golf balls through pvc pipe, roping a steer, bubble gum blowing, acting like wild animals and stick horse races.

For lunch we chowed down on some tasty sloppy joes, apples and chips.

In the afternoon we played horseshoes, snacked, visited and snacked a tiny bit more. We also managed to squeeze in a couple innings of wiffle ball.

Friday night's dinner consisted of scrumptious hot dogs, watermelon, cantaloupe and grapes. Followed by perfectly browned marshmallows.

Before it was time to retire to bed we played our home-made instruments to a couple of songs, had a sow calling contest and then a another devotional.

This morning we woke our taste-buds to mouth-watering breakfast burritos, milk and orange juice.

Before we ate lunch we took down our tents and packed our vehicles before we headed out. Funny how they're just as full when you leave as when you come, anyone else have that problem?

For lunch we enjoyed chicken pasta salad with cashews and craisins, rolls and rice-crispy treats.

The kids spent much of the reunion playing in a grassy field nearby. We cleaned up the place, said our "goodbye's" and headed out.

It was a quick three days of fun with the family.

P.S. This post even has pictures, you know who you are :)

Freedom Pinata

On the fourth of July, Bryn made a pinata and let the kids take a turn hitting it.

Jail, Hershey's, Play, Tooth, Kite

A few weeks ago I took the boys with me to the police station for cub scouts. They really enjoyed it, especially being thrown in the holding cell.

The girls placed in their events at the Hershey's track meet in Cedar. They will be competing in Richfield this month.

Ashlyn was Peaseblossom in her school play A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Jesse lost his first tooth just before school got out.

The kids enjoyed flying a kite in the backyard a couple weeks ago.

California Vacation

Monday, April 18th we went on our vacation to California. It was the first time our kids had been to California. We left about 8:00. We ate lunch in Primm, Nevada, near the California border. There was a

lot of traffic from Vegas to Anaheim. It took quite a while to get there. We stopped many times for potty breaks and to secure our cargo carrier.

We passed the Angels baseball stadium on our way to the motel in Anaheim. We ate dinner and unpacked our stuff from the van to the motel room.

Tuesday morning we ate the continental breakfast at the motel and then took a Disney shuttle to Disneyland. The kids enjoyed seeing Mickey Mouse right off the bat. We went on the Toy Story ride, followed by

Space Mountain, Finding Nemo, Autopia, Tea Cups and a Train ride. We saw Buzz Lightyear. We then went back to the motel for our lunch break. Tera had a nap.

Tuesday afternoon we went back and went to California Adventure. The boys enjoyed seeing a couple bears (in costume). The kids had fun playing on a giant tree house. They then got rides on a mini zipline.

We went on a swing ride around in a circle. We then went on a raging rapids ride that got us all wet. I went with the boys, then Becca went with the girls. While we were waiting for the girls, the boys had

a blast standing in an area where they got splashed when the tube came by. Other adults nearby enjoyed watching the boys getting all wet.

We then went back to the motel and ate dinner. The kids swam in the pool.

Wednesday morning we went back to Disneyland and got right on the Matterhorn bobsled ride. Ashlyn said she didn't feel well so she didn't go on it. We then went over to do the Finding Nemo ride. Ashlyn

still didn't feel well and then threw up in front of all the people standing in line. Becca took her and Tera back to the motel. She saw Tonia (Chad's sister) and her girls as she was leaving Disneyland.

I took the other kids inside the sleeping beauty castle. We then climbed on Tarzan's treehouse a couple times. We got in line for Indiana Jones' Adventure and Jonah wasn't tall enough. I had the other kids

go on the ride while Jonah and I waited. I guess one of the vehicles broke down so it took the kids forever to complete the ride. When we met up they were scared to death. I guess they didn't like all the

skeletons, snakes, etc. We went back to the motel for lunch.

A couple more kids started throwing up so Becca took the healthy kids back in the afternoon. I stayed with the sickies. Becca and the well kids went to California Adventure. They went to the Bug's Life

area. They went on a Ladybug ride, Flik's grasshopper ride, got a picture with Chip 'n' Dale, watched a 3D movie, saw Mater and Lightning McQueen and went on a big ferris wheel. They came back for dinner.

Thursday morning we ate the continental breakfast and then drove to SeaWorld in San Diego. I forgot to avoid the toll road so we paid a few bucks to get there. We got in the ticket line and after waiting

for 20 minutes found out we were in the wrong line. We got in the correct line and a half an hour we had our tickets to get in.

Right off the bat we saw a monitor lizard walking through the park with an employee. The kids liked that. We went to the Arctic exhibit where we were able to go underground and view the beluga whales

through the aquarium window. We then went on the Atlantis roller coaster. We all enjoyed that. We were surprised that Jonah went on all these rides and loved them. What a brave kid. We then saw over 300

penguins and got to see a bunch of a sharks swimming around us. We took a break to eat lunch.

We then went to the freshwater aquarium and saw all kinds of small fish. One of the best parts of SeaWorld was the dolphin show we watched. We then went to the motel. We had to get two rooms because they

wouldn't let us all be in one.

Friday morning we ate breakfast at the motel (muffins) and then drove to Becca's cousin (Allen Ostergar) in Laguna Niguel (one hour north of San Diego). We ate lunch with he and his family and then headed

off to Strands Beach about ten minutes away. We all had fun standing and playing in the water as it came ashore. The kids learned quickly how powerful the waves can be. The kids also had fun playing in the

sand. We all ran on the sand and had a great time. We were there 2-3 hours.

We then drove back over to Laguna Niguel and swam in the community pool. We then ate dinner outside with the Ostergar's. That evening we had smores on their deck overlooking the city.

Saturday morning we took off for home. The drive home was much quicker than the drive to California.

The trip was a lot of work, but was very fun. We all enjoyed the experience.

St. George Marathon 2010

Saturday, we watched Garrett, Cheryl and Jill compete in the St. George Marathon. Garrett finished in 14th place overall at 2:37.14, Cheryl at 4:12.55 and Jill at 4:21.17. We are so proud of you guys! It was fun and inspiring to watch the race.

Food, Fall & Fun

Last night we drove up Cedar mountain to see the colorful fall leaves. Our friends, the Carpenter's, also came. We took pictures, ate pot-luck dinner and visited. We then drove to the "C" to enjoy the view and breathe some fresh smoke (from the fire near Beaver). We then drove down the face of the mountain to see the modest cabins. We saw a few deer. It was an enjoyable time.