a handful of hatchlings: Hatch Family Reunion

Melanie did an amazing job this year with the family reunion. We camped up Strawberry Canyon and she choose the theme of family history and it was so fun to relive some of the past and become acquainted with those who lived, loved and struggled before us.

This rag rug is one that Jotham's Great-great Grandma Adela Owens Hatch started and was found by Darren after he moved into her house after she'd passed away. We ripped up fabric from Loalee's stash to make another more modern quilt in the same style, but most of the Grandkids found more exciting uses for the fabric strips.

Each of the siblings highlighted one of their ancestors and did an activity around the history they told. We learned and grew from the stories and lives that went before us. Its a rich legacy we've been left. From Gunfights, missionary work and farming we now know a little better from whence we came and that spirit of Elijah rang throughout the camp.

One of my favorite stories is from Kristen Marie Jenson, who joined the church in Denmark and made the journey to Utah in 1871, by train. Upon her arrival to Utah, her personal history states: "Their friends had written that America was a land of milk and honey and every meal was like Christmas Dinner in Denmark. That evening, their first meal consisted of flour mush and molasses. Kirsten cried and cried. "If this is Christmas Dinner in Denmark I'll starve! I simply can't eat this flour!" she said.

Jotham and I had tried some of this flour mush, often called Lumpy Dick, at a trek preparation fireside a few years ago, apparently it was a very common meal for pioneers. President Benson remembers his mother making this same dish and recalls, "This would be our supper, and it was delicious". So for breakfast we decided to let everybody have a taste of the food that made their ancestor cry. It also made at least one or two of her descents cry as well. Others surprisingly took more than the required spoonful.