Grandpa Hess

My Grandpa Hess passed away last month.  He was 99 years old.  It was hard to say goodbye even though he lived a long and full life.  He had been sickly for years, but still kept his sense of humor and obviously enjoyed being alive.  My dad spent the last 3 years taking him lunch almost everyday.  I'm not sure what my dad will do without that almost daily visit. We had the funeral on July 1st to allow time for my Uncle Steve to return home from serving as a mission president in Michigan.  It was a beautiful funeral filled with words from Grandpa.  He was great about writing things down and left us many great words to live by.  It was also great to see most of my Hess family.  Just like Grandpa was having a great reunion in heaven, we had a great reunion in his honor. My grandpa left a great legacy and I hope to continue to live up to that legacy! Love you grandpa! 

So glad they get to be together again!  Families are Forever! No Empty Chairs!

Bear Lake 2014

We had our annual Hess Family Reunion at Bear Lake in June.  It was a fun week full of activities and active weather. We enjoyed a few warm days to begin with, but had rain at the end of the week.  We got creative with our time during the not so great weather.  We went to Minnetonka cave and swam at the Garden City pool.  I think the kids also watched the Lego Movie a few times (they are now quoting it word for word). 

I love our time at Bear Lake and always feel sad when it's over. Luckily we get to go again over Labor Day, but won't have everyone there.  My sister Aimee was here with her baby Richard for almost a month.  Her husband flew out for our Bear Lake week, but had to leave right after.  Grateful we were ALL together for a few short days.  Love my family!

We stopped at Rick's Spring in Logan Canyon on our way up to the lake.  It was a great stop except that Nate lost his flip-flop in the river.  Great start to our trip. :(

I have a picture of me at this age in this exact pose at Bear Lake.  Love that my kids get to experience what I did growing up!

Playing in the lake. The water was freezing!

The way I will always remember my dad at Bear Lake! :)

We decided since this was the only time we would all be together that we needed to take family pictures.  It has been years since we did it.  It was a little complicated, but at least we got them done! (Ashlyn and cousin Lizzy)

All the Hess grandchildren.

Beautiful Bear Lake!

Kayaking

My super cute nephew Richard.  (and my sister Aimee) :)

Playing the original Nintendo, a highlight of Bear Lake.

There was a beautiful full rainbow after one of the rain storms. 

I didn't go on the boat so I stole these pictures from my brother.  Proof that my kids went on the tube!

The full rainbow!