Cali Day 1

We arrived in California early evening on Saturday. After touring the amazing house I think we all jumped in to enjoy the pool quick and played games that evening.

Check out this amazing home. http://www.vrbo.com/390601

Here are a couple pictures Lauren took that barely do it justice...check out the site above. It's crazy!

All our white vans lined up! ;) 

The first day was Sunday. We went to church and came home and in true Knudsen style- took a group photo. Afterwards some went and did some sight seeing and others of just stayed to play games, eat and hang out.

The whole Knudsen Family. 

This is My mom's side of the family. We have always gone to our cabin together each summer since I can remember, which some of us did go this year but it's just too small for all of us. This was the first year we did something big like this and it was a blast! All these people under this one house and it wasn't a bit crowded! 

My mom was more than a little peeved that my brothers (top right corner) ruined the last all together picture we may have in years with lots of missionaries coming and going. ha! 

Later that evening the boys found a rattle snake up on the hill. Ending the game Lucy was playing with all the girls of climbing the rocks over and over. I was freaked! 

Everyone had to go get a good look! To which then Brigham exclaimed "Don't worry, we have a plan, we are sacrificing Erik!" haha! (anyone read my cabin post?) 

The men tried to mess with it and even kill it to no avail. The next morning there was a dead rabbit up by it. 

That night after dinner we had our Knudsen Family Devotional. 

One of the many reasons I love this family. Our parents have been great over the years to tie in a spiritual theme or motto during our reunions. This trip my Grandma spoke on our family motto of "No Empty Chairs" and gave us each a cute mini chair to display as a reminder in our home. Then the future Missionaries bore their testimony on the temple as well as Lauren. Then we watched a slideshow of pictures over the years of all of us. It was a bit of a tear jerker. The family is changing and may not all be together for a long time with Missions and such and it was beautiful to reflect on how close we are and how many fun things we have done together over the years. We are so close with our cousins and it's been such a blessing in my life. I love it!

My Mom also had T-shirts made! (designed by Noah and me) 

To this Day it is still Lucy's favorite shirt. 

What a kick off to an amazing week! 

It's actually hard for me to blog this and re live it because I miss this place and this week so much. It was so fun and such a bonding experience. Take me back!!! :(