Ganon and Heidi's family 5/31/10

Here was our quest today to get a family photo to put on the "wall" Which one do you like?

Family Reunion, May 31, 2010

Today, May 31, 2010, The Connelly Clan got together to celebrate the Memorial Day with our Family Reunion. This event, which brought all of Papa and Gramma Connelly's children and grandchildren together, is especially memorable because Meg and Arnie's family was able to join us. Arnie is in the Army, and we are proud of his service to our country, which moves his family around the world. This summer they move from their time in Monterey back to their house in New Hampshire. Fortunate timing had them here in Salt Lake as they drive eastward. We are also fortunate to have Amanda and Eric's family drive down from Idaho to join our three Utah families. Here are some candids of the day, most shot by Jon.

 Ganon and Mike are driving the bbq. In background is Heidi and Tommy.

Christopher seemed to enjoy himself. Later when we went swimming, he really was having fun.

Meg models the hat Gramma has been sewing. Meg always looks great in a hat. Kevin, Becca and Papa in the bg.

Cathy shares a tender moment with Tommy.

Romantic pose by Amanda and Eric (a moment after Eric licked her cheek)

Nobody does a pout like Princess Sarah. David smiles to the right.

The Auswanderers. Papa and Gramma are very proud of their six children and twenty three grandchildren

Thristy Carson

Bethany and Melissa in deep conversation

Mealtime brings a smile to James' face. His Dad, Rycharn, is in bg. In fg, Ben is concentrating on his food.

There were many more photos, taken on various cameras, including a complete family shot. I'll try to post some more when I get them

G Patrick's Special Day

Yesterday, 5/30/10, Ganon was sustained as a member of the Bishopric of the North Park First Ward. This is a very important calling, especially at his age (32). As he was set apart by a member of the Stake Presidency, he was told that Heavenly Father had important work for him to do (so shall we begin calling him G.Patrick?). I had the honor of ordaining him to the office of a High Priest in the Melchisedec Priesthood

Here Jon and Mike are studying the scriptures online (wink wink)

Lovely in lavender--Amanda and Macy had coordinated outfits to go to church. (Sorry about the closed eyes, Manda. I was looking at Macy)

Jon and Cathy's family and Amanda and Eric's family and the Auswanderers relax in various places inside and outside of Ganon and Heidi's house after church.( You don't see Cathy in the above shot because she was NOT relaxing. She was doing much of the heavy lifting in the kitchen getting the dinner prepared. Mahalo to her!) Four of our six families were able to make it to church for Ganon's special day. The other two families came by later. Thanks to all for supporting G Patrick

Da boyz (Kevin, Ben and Aaron in this shot below) help set up the back yard for dinner.

Da boyz (Mike joins the other three), part two. Thanks, guys for the heavy lifting

Carson holds the door for Her Royal Princess Sarah, with her double train

Rebecca and Nate coming out the back door

David and Nate in the nifty Play Room

Jenny, Woman of Many Skills, entertains the family at the piano

The day was special on several levels. Congratulations to both Ganon and Heidi for the new calling. It will be hard work for both of them. Mahalo to Heidi for hosting not only this afternoon group for a gala dinner, but also Kelly's family and Megan's family which came in later. And we know Heidi has no other responsibilities to worry about (wink wink). We love you Heidi.

Ward Picnic

Today, May 29, our ward hosted a neighborhood BBQ in a nice little park near Ganon and Heidi's house. As a nice coincidence, Eric and Amanda's family came down for the weekend. So, that's Emma and Carson on the left.

Amanda and Eric are enjoying the afternoon sun. Fortunately, the rain forecast for today didn't happen.

Carson and Papa have a tradition going back several years, of sharing a drink with a straw. Eric assures us that there is not so much "backwash" these days.

Tommy (his Mom calls him), or TJ (his Dad calls him), with his spikey hair look.

Papa happily shares his lap with the newest members of the family. That's Macy Jane on the left and Thomas James on the right.

If things work out for the clan, Meg and Arnie's family arrives here on Sunday, as they make their way back to New Hampshire. And Kelly and Rycharn's family will return Sunday evening from visiting Rycharn's parents in Aurora. So Monday, we may be able to have our annual fifteen minute family reunion. Stay tuned.

Family Bowling

Last Saturday afternoon we went to a local bowling alley with the unfortunate name "Fat Cats". But to their credit, this is a very family oriented place. Almost every lane had a metal booster thing to help the young ones bowl. And they had a plentiful supply of tiny bowling shoes to check out. Gramma and Tommy headed up the cheering section

Ganon, our accountant, chose the economical family package, which included food with the bowling. In the bg you can see Heidi helping David with his hot enchilada.

Here is Dad giving important bowling advice to David.

As you can see, David aims carefully and pushes his ball down the lane

And he got a Strike!!

Heidi and the three little bowlers discuss the latest shot

Ganon had his hands full giving careful instruction to each of the children. Here is Rebecca's turn. Sarah probably had the least interest in the bowling thing. I don't have a photo of her. After she dutifully pushed the nasty ball, she quickly exited. Good news--we had no crying.

Ganon was our UberBowler. Here he is in action on his way to smashing several strikes

And here is Becca, who loves bowling. Unlike the blurry Ganon, Becca's arm is the only thing that blurs. She has always been amazingly successful with this unusual form

I think this one was a spare for her.

We had great fun together. Ganon and Heidi get high marks for taking four little ones to a bowling alley. And Tommy gets high marks for sleeping through the blasting music.