Pack Family Reunion 2014

Our trip to Provo (for the beginning of the Pack reunions) began with a stop at the newly remodeled Ogden Temple.  Hyrum summed up our feelings when he said, "Is this Jesus' house?" "That's why it is so beautiful!"

 New Ogden Temple Open House

Our first reunion?  The Don Elbert and Harriet Malin Pack Family (in other words, Dad's cousins and their descendants)  Our family had the biggest showing since we were in charge of the festivities.

Wes Pack Family (mostly Deloy's descendants)

Gavin in his shades

Alissandra getting her beauty sleep

THE PACKS (Cousins galore!)

Mom presenting the history of Rockford, Utah (now Rockford Reservoir) 

Kenneth working on his skill at can stilts

Reminiscing (Sherri, Nikkala and Ben) 

The second family reunion (second day)?  The John Pack Family met at This is the Place Heritage Park.  Ben captured it with me cleaning up the place. (We've been there so many times that other pictures didn't seem necessary.  You'll have to go "back in time" to see what it is like.)

Chris getting her fill of reunions

Neal's Baptism was the highlight for all of us, though.  The double chocolate cake was a close second!

Neal excited to dive into the chocolaty delight.

The third reunion (the third day)?  The M. Deloy Pack Family in Idaho.  Everyone followed us home to Idaho and we spent Monday (the fourth day) enjoying Yellowstone.  Well, at least some of us did.  It was amazing weather, but it's hard not to push it to the limit.

Old Faithful, still as faithful

Nature-made teeter-totter

Kayla given her cousin (Gavin) a little lovin'! 

Shake, shake, shakin' with Joseph and Jarom
(Joshua in the background) 

Look Sammie dressed to match!

Our hike to Mystic Falls (Hyrum's face describes the sentiment of some)

More cousin lovin'; This time it's Benji and Grace 

Big Jud's Famous 1 lb. burger...mmmm...good

The fifth day we recovered from our day at Yellowstone with good food and a family meeting.

We took advantage of having us all (well most of us) in one place to have a photo shoot. (Hardys, all the Packs [Jon and Preeti not pictured], Thomsons, Roger Packs, Dad and Mum, Roger Packs :P, Ben Packs X2 :P, and all the cousins)

Don Aslett's Museum of Clean was the grand finale (the sixth day).  The best part? A personal tour from the man himself! And it is a ton of fun for the kids.

Mrs. Clean vs. Mr. Litter, starring Brent 

Gregory likin' his back rub

Another good rub for Neal 

"Chim-chiminy-chim-chim-cheree...a sweep is as lucky as luck can be."

I think a few of the kids actually enjoyed washing THE window.

"Wet FlOOr"

Cleanest Knight in shining armor (we can only hope she snags one!)

(Day seven and eight) We spent some extra family bonding time with the Thomsons.  They couldn't resist the army tanks and Blackfoot's baked potato.  It was complete with ice cream at Rupes!

Rupes' ice cream stop

It was a fun-filled seven days.  See you again in three years!

Caramel Popcorn

6 quarts of popped popcorn (usually eyeball by almost filling my large Tupperware bowl; leaving room to stir popcorn with caramel sauce)

2 2/3 cup brown sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup butter

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

Popcorn has been popped and is set aside in a large bowl.  

Place brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a medium sauce pan. Stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved and mixture is boiling.  Add sweetened condensed milk and cook five minutes, stirring constantly.  

Pour caramel over the popped popcorn and stir until it is well-coated. You can eat it right out of the bowl, just don't forget to share. OR you can spread on a nonstick surface to cool and then place in an airtight container. OR you can form into popcorn balls and wrap individually.

Chewable goodness....ENJOY!

Cream of the Crop

This year to motivate the kids to read the Conference issue of the Ensign, I used an analogy.  I explained to them that the cream of the milk was always the most prized part of fresh milk.  This, along with other high quality farming goods, gave the saying "the cream of the crop" a place amongst American cliches.  When we use this cliche we are describing whatever is "the cream of the crop" as the best of the best.

General Conference (where the entire body of the Church meets together to listen to the prophet, apostles, seventies and other general officers; occurs bi-annually) is like the cream of the gospel.  While we are learning all the time from the scriptures and Sunday lessons, we get the most important, pertinent counsel for our time in Conference. 

"The Lord will tell you what he wants you to do with your life...the Holy Ghost carries the word of The Lord unto our hearts in terms we can understand...listen to these things, as if from the mouth of The Lord...live them.  He has spoken to help you, to strengthen you, and to lead you home into His presence." (Elder Robert D. Hales, Oct. 2014)

We set our goals and a date to have them completed by.  Once complete we all get to take part in an ice cream feast. Sundaes extraordinaire will be served with all the toppings imaginable!  

The best part is the motivation it gives me.  (I am part Robinson, ha!)  I love the gospel and I love ice cream--this way I get the best of both!

Flautas

I realized last night as I made these delectable flautas that food is a very important part of my happiness, or at least the happiness of my stomach.  It's a winner with everyone else too.

Chicken Flautas

Saute in a pan with 2 T shortening:
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced

Combine and stir in:
1 T cornstarch
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Mix well.

Add:
1/2 c. chicken broth
2 1/4 c. chicken, cooked and chopped
1 4 oz. can chopped green chilies

Cook until thickened and remove from heat.

Spoon mixture into center of flour tortilla, roll up and fry in 1/4" hot oil.  Cook until lightly browned and crisp.

These are best served while hot.  Enjoy them with guacamole, salsa or sour cream.