Family

Family is at the heart of everything at 71 Toes. This is where you’ll find annual family reunion ideas and recaps, family traditions worth keeping, milestone celebrations, missionary homecomings, and the everyday moments that build lasting family connections.

Whether you’re looking for reunion planning inspiration or simply want to follow along with our family’s story through the years, you’re in the right place.

Family Reunions

Eyrealm Reunion 2026: You Are a Star
ByShawni September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

Welp, it happened. The 2026 Eyre reunion came and went and I breathed a huge sigh of relief when it was over. Wait, did I just say that out loud?…

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Family Reunions

Family Reunion Planning: How Our ‘You Are a Star’ Theme Came Together
ByShawni July 28, 2026August 5, 2026

I don’t even know where to start with documenting our Eyre reunion this year. I guess let’s start with reunion preparation for that sucker. But maybe even before that though,…

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Family | Real Life

A Tradition Rekindled for the 4th of July: Coronado!
ByShawni July 7, 2026July 9, 2026

After a five-year hiatus, we reunited with a whole slew of families in Coronado for the 4th of July. We had this tradition to convene there for years when our…

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Family | Real Life

Celebrating a Birthday and Sisterhood in Utah
ByShawni June 16, 2026June 16, 2026

My baby sister Charity turned 40 last week. I love that I got to be there for her grand birthday celebration. My sisters always know how to make celebrations sentimental,…

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Family

Some Surprise Visitors on Memorial Day Weekend
ByShawni June 8, 2026June 8, 2026

We had a surprise houseful of our kids for Memorial Day and we ate it all up. It was a big five days with different configurations of kids coming and…

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Family Reunions

Family Reunion Food Ideas: What We’ve Actually Made for 50+ People Over 20 Years
ByShawni June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

Planning a family reunion? After 20+ years of feeding our big extended family at Bear Lake, here are our best family reunion food ideas, recipes, and tips for feeding a crowd.

Read More Family Reunion Food Ideas: What We’ve Actually Made for 50+ People Over 20 Years
Family

Happy Birthday Maxwell
ByShawni June 3, 2026June 3, 2026

Twenty-nine years ago this man made me a mother: How is it even possible that he grew from this little guy: Into this incredible man with such a quick wit,…

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Family | Travel

Traveling to Athens with Our Adult Children
ByShawni June 1, 2026June 3, 2026

Athens already held a special place in my heart after Dave and I visited a few years ago (our Greek anniversary cruise). But this time felt completely different because we…

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Family | Travel

Three Days in Crete, Greece with Our Adult Children
ByShawni May 28, 2026August 5, 2026

After a year of planning a family trip to Israel, we unexpectedly found ourselves on a family trip to Crete, Greece instead. (Crete was followed by Athens and Egypt, but…

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