Dear Kids,
          Dad and I are totally enjoying having Sharon and her kids here at the cabin. They came Wednesday morning and we picked them up at the airport. By the time we got back to the cabin, the party had already started. Tom cooked dutch oven potatoes, Nora and James barbecued chicken, and after that everybody contributed their specialties, all day long. People kept getting out food, and we kept eating it. There were 41 people here, and I’m sure we ate more food than has ever been consumed at the cabin in one day. 
          Since then, the fun has continued. We went to Heber on Thursday, swimming on Friday, and yesterday we met Tom’s family at Wasatch State Park where the kids went fishing in the pond and fed the ducks. Dad and I are having way more fun and recreation than we’re used to. 
          Here’s a great piece of news: Paul has an engineering job! It’s an internship for Magnus Pacific in Ogden, with long hours and good pay. It sounds ideal. He describes it as "more of a construction civil internship." I’m sure we’ll here more about it. Go, Paul!
          Naturally we’re all looking forward to the family reunion, starting Thursday evening. Here’s the itinerary from Monica:
          Thursday 8/1/2013 Arrive anytime starting at 1PM (this is the earliest official check in time-Coulter Bay Campground, we are in a group site) Set up tents. Dinner by Tom's family (between 5 and 7) Water bottle craft after dinner. Fire, smores, and celebrate Mom's birthday with cake!
          Friday 8/2/2013 Breakfast (between 7 and 9) by Sharon's family. Beach day-leave for String Lake at 10-11AM and plan to spend most of the day there. Please bring all your floatation devices (rafts, boats, canoes, kayaks, inner tubes, anything you want/have). People can also hike to Holli Lake before lunch. Lunch lakeside by Donna's family (between 11 and 1)
         There is a possibility that Lizzette and Theral can do some float trips but I haven't heard back from them. If they can do them then we'll leave for Jackson early and overtake a park in town, which can be a base camp for people both going on a float trip and those who are not. Lunch can be served there.
          Dinner (between 5 and 7) by Vanessa's family. Fire, smores, and the newlyweds game.
          Saturday 8/3/2013 Breakfast (between 7 and 9) by Monica's family. Mid-morning hike-the one mile foot trail that leaves from the back of the museum. Totally doable by kids 3 and older. Put the babies in the back packs and wraps. Ongoing craft put on by Ellie-for before/after/during the hike. Lunch by Allen's family (between 11 and 1) Overtake Jackson Lake Lodge (swimming in the pool and/or walking around the grounds or taking a nap on the couches or playing cards in the lobby) Dinner (between 5 and 7) by Nora's family. Fire, smores, and talent show. Please have your family contribute a song, game, skit, or entertainment segment that lasts 5 minutes or so. Maybe we can end up at the cabin lounge like last time for this.
          Sunday 8/4/2013 Breakfast (between 7 and 9) by Paul and Stephanie Devotional at 9AM-lead by James. Pack and leave by 11AM
          Extras--Mom and Dad are in charge of paper products, fire wood, and garbage detail. For food assignments: Adults 18 and kids 22 (not counting Heather and her kids-allergies) The rate for the Group Tent Sites is $25 non-refundable booking fee, $5.50 per person per night so with everyone coming (45 ppl) our total bill should be $767.50. I think it would be fair to do $2.5 + 3*(5.5*# of kids) but please let me know if you think this is unfair or if you can't afford this amount. If Lizzette can do the float trip I'll let you know the cost and we can decide if we want to do it. I think the possibility is small but I would love to go out on the Snake!