Christensen Family Retreat 2010

The annual retreat has come and gone once again, and this years trip together did not let us down! One of the real highlights of the summer! This summer's week was spent in hot and sunny St. George. There was lots of rest and relaxation and fun in the sun. I think I showered twice all week! (Which was a real treat for me, because at home I maybe get in one shower per week.)

Event one: Let's start with the family pics.

Nice little pose in the front yard shade. Our favorite from this location (click to enlarge):

Nice little pose in the back yard shade. Our favorite from this location:

And my personal favorite of favorites: nice little pose in the back yard sun. In these pics, you really can't even tell that hot desert sun is beating directly into our pupils. And we were worried they wouldn't turn out: (This one should be perfect for the Christmas card).

Let's zoom in and take a closer look at some of the highlights:

A lonely misfit trying to find her place in the picture, in the world...

I like this father/son shot... with mom going in for a chin smack

Katie, Rachel and Ally: utter despair

Another from this location- this shot captured the sun coming close to actually melting Lucy...people don't know this about her and direct sunlight

No explanation necessary:

Again... no explanation necessary:

Phew! There you have it folks! Another successful Christensen family photo shoot!

Event two: The crack.

These next few were taken at a place known as "the crack." I opted to stay home and read while the others went and shuffled through a crack in the rock in 100 degree weather. I regretted my decision once I realized I was out of the "crack club". Especially when they started beating up the non-crack-clubbers.

Women of the wilderness:

Victory! Cathy came out of the crack a changed woman. And as you can see... Steve came out a changed man. For some bizarre reason, sliding through that crack caused him to shrink down to less than half the height of the man he was before. At least his body's still proportionate, but we're still trying to figure out what happened to the little tyke. Here they are standing next to each other after Steve climbed up on a rock.

Daddy-daughter date.

Trying to make a get-away. Don't you put grand theft auto past my daughter. Don't you dare.

Event 3: Tarzan at Tuacahn.

Don't know how Grandma and Wendy ever made it through the evening... but we somehow talked ourselves into leaving them with 7 kids ages 3 and under so we could escape and go see Tarzan at the Tuacahn amphitheater. That's right- SEVEN UNDER THREE. Included in that is 3 newbies who want to be held constantly, and these 4 little morsels:

They seem harmless enough but do not let them fool you. And do not turn your back on them, especially if they are gathered in 2 or more as displayed above. That means they are in hunt mode.

What Grandma and Wendy won't tell you, is that they poured benedryl into a few sippy cups as soon as we left in hopes of sedating the youngsters. Just look at the good stuff starting to set in... (not surprised that Lucy and Brinley got an extra dose or two).

And here we are at the theater! I still don't think he'd admit to this, but Jason was subconsciously trying to act like Tarzan all night long... trying to swing around on things, not speaking in full sentences. I think he was maybe a little jealous of his masculinity, and the fact that I was staring at him in a loin cloth for a good portion of the evening. (We all were, he was on stage). I'm pretty sure that's why he picked a fight with him after the show... pretended to reach out to shake his hand and ended up twisting him around and putting him in a double arm bar. Who's the real man, Tarzan? I pulled Jane's hair, too.

The costumes were awesome! However, this pic here below was so not worth it... I walked away with my entire right arm slathered up in gorilla back sweat.

Event 4: Jacob Hamblin pioneer home.

"Mom's good egg" is right. Heavenly girl.

This is when our stoic baby proclaimed, "This is the place, Grandpa! Change my diaper!"

Drinking fountain from 1867:

I will not hesitate to put many, many pictures of Scarlett up right in a row... she has started smiling these past couple of weeks. OH MY GOODNESS whole new level of scrumptiousness.

And don't forget plenty of pool time. Every day pool time.

Lucy wasn't so happy when she spotted a mirror and realized this is what she looks like in goggles. I had to tell her that no one looks good in them.

Aunt Cathy and Scarlett Marie- BBFF. Best birthday friends forever.

We did some other sight seeing in there but I'd be a negligent wife and mother if I spent any more time on this post. So for the road, here's one more pic of some adorable little stinkers. This is when we were visiting the oldest operating LDS chapel, right before Lucy started flipping the lights on and off while our tour guide missionary was giving us a his presentation.

and one more shot of our little family. I think the girls look alike in this one. Gotta love that Southern Utah! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa C!! We love this tradition!