Family Reunion time!

We just got back from a Butler Family Reunion in Washington D.C. We did it there because one of Jared's brothers lives there with his family and they wanted to host it this year instead of having to travel out west like usual. It was so good to see everyone after two years and to do so many fun things. We saw a firework show, went to the D.C. temple together, saw the downtown sights, stayed up late talking and eating yummy food, went swimming, and watched our kids play together in the huge backyard of the house we were staying at. We also got family pictures taken in our matching red, white, and blue reunion t-shirts. Here are just a few:

The whole Butler clan, 15 adults and 19 kids

The original Butler fam: Dad, Mom, 5 boys and 2 girls

All 19 grandkids lined up according to age (plus 3 more on the way!) We had their number printed on the back of the kid's t-shirts, so cute! Abbie loved hers and kept running around saying "I'm number 12!"

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Leah (number 16) comforting her cousin who didn't want to sit still

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Our little family

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Grandchild number 22 on the way

The awesome playground in the backyard of the house we stayed at

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Abbie loved shoveling the rubber "dirt"

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Leah loved this comfy swing

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Abbie discovered the fun of a squirt gun when we went swimming one afternoon. We were so lucky and had perfect weather the whole time we were there, it wasn't too hot and humid but it was nice enough to be outside a lot.

Waiting for the fireworks to start. Leah didn't feel too good and was tired but once the fireworks started, she perked right up.

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The beautiful Washington D.C temple

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We all got to go to the temple together one morning and that was an amazing experience.

A few of us also went to a fireside (where Earl C. Tingey was speaking) one night at the visitor's center

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All three of us preggo ladies, all due with boys!

Me and Leah at a pancake breakfast on the 4th

A couple of the cousins with their flag shirts on

Playing "Ring around the Rosie" while waiting for the adults to finish cleaning up

Leah with a sucker after our own little candy "parade" since we missed the town one

Abbie in the little car, she had a hard time giving this up to let anyone else have a turn

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Visiting an old friend from A2 who now lives just a few miles from Jared's brother. I'm so glad I got to see her and her family and chat for a while.

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Leah and her friend D.

On our last night there, Abbie and a few of her cousins were so excited to catch fireflies

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Abbie showing off all the bugs they caught

Leah with a silly grin riding one of the many cars in the backyard

We had such a great time with everyone and wish that we lived closer so that we could hang out more and our kids could get to know their cousins better. Thank you for a wonderful reunion, J and T.