Family Reunion

Family Reunion 2013

We just got back from our family's week at the lake. Everyone except for Jordin and her family were able to come. It was great to be together and to spend time just hanging out. That said there was the requisite amount of drama, arguments, laughter, joking, sharing, reconnecting, eating, playing, and relaxing. The spirit of the lake always glues our family together for another year as it has done for five generations now.

Here's some of what we did:

We went for morning walks to the bridge, had great chats, and marveled in the beauty of the lake.

Reilly on the bridge

We fished, fished, and fished some more...every morning and every evening.

Reilly is a fabulous fisherwoman...but alas...this was not her finest catch. Ha ha.

We had Polyester Parties on the dock in the dress-up clothes!!

The stuffed Loon adds that special je ne sais quoi...n'est pas?

We ate and ate and ate. In the whole week that we were there, I never found myself feeling hungry even once...and yet I ate. So much good food.

Kelley making breakfast one morning...Kirk NOT making breakfast.

Lunch on the deck

Kelley and Stacey on dinner duty...ham, green salad, and homemade biscuits. Delish. We divided up all the meals so each family only had to cook one day. It was hellish the day that you had to cook but the rest of the time was pure relaxation and the enjoyment of eating other people's tasty dinners.

Reilly, Elle, Bryn

We drew names for Christmas: the cousin exchange and the adult exchange.

Dane

Kids sat in the fish bucket. Don't ask me why but this was THE toy of the reunion. They couldn't wait to sit in that bucket. Sometimes there would be two or three kids in that bucket. Weirdos.

River, Ailey, Kaiden, Bryn, Dane

The kids played and played and played with their cousins. These kiddos sure do love each other. There was absolutely zero fighting (can't say the same among siblings) and they just loved and supported and cheered each other on. It was a beautiful thing.

Kaiden and Bryn

Kaiden, Reilly, Ailey, Dane, River

River

Dane

Ailey

Elle and Bryn

Kaiden

We did lots and lots of swimming...

Kameron helping Bryn with her back float

Ailey and Reilly

Kameron

We boated and did water sports...

Elle, Kelley, Bryn

Kirk

We napped...

We wore swimsuits all day long. I wore no make-up and pretty much never got ready...it was great!!

We hung out on the dock, played, lounged, waited for the boat, talked, laughed and relaxed.

Kirk (sporting Ailey's sunglasses), Stacey, Me, and Kaiden

Elle, Bryn, Kaiden

Kaiden

Ailey

Kirk and his little twin...right down to the dress-up tattoo arm sleeve found by Kelley.

Dane, Stacey, River

These girls love their Uncle Kirky

Brynnie kept us entertained with her singing, dancing, and cheerleading moves!!

Kaiden channeling Aunt Ladye. She would've gotten a real kick out of all these crazy kiddos!!

We tried to squash Kelley

We delighted in bedtime so that we could head outside to do this...one night until 2:30am.

John, Stacey, Kirk

There is nothing better than sitting around a bonfire and laughing with your mom, brothers and sisters, and husband until the wee hours of the morning. We did it every single night. :)

And...then we had to say good-bye and it sucked and we cried...and we looked forward to next year.

We said good-bye to Daddy who headed out on a quick road trip to Salt Lake to help Kirk move.

Kaiden and Uncle Tyler

We delighted in coming home. The beauty of vacation...while wonderful...is coming home. When you come home you truly appreciate it. Your house has never been so beautiful or clean. Your bed has never been so comfy. It's nice to be home. They reveled in it by being weird. :)