Family Reunion 2015
A few weeks ago my family gathered at the lake for about 10 days of togetherness. Jordin, Ramon, and their family came from Kansas City, and joined our family, Stacey's family, my Mom, Kelley and Elle (and her friend Chelsea and her son Sawyer) and our grandma. Kirk and his family were unable to come this year because they have a baby on the way. My new nephew is due any day now and Meki has been on bed rest. Our family's time at the lake is always a much looked forward to event and it's so nice to be able to hang out at the lake and do nothing for days on end.
I will let the pictures do most of the talking...
The lake has been the glue that has bound our family together for 5 generations. Love this place more than I can say!
Jaylah, Bryn, Ailey, RJ, and Kameron
These girls had a great time together!!
The first night swim of the year was a little bit chilly so hot chocolate was required.
My mom brought a bunch of vintage swim caps out to the lake. She wanted to get pictures of all the little girls wearing them in the water but we kept forgetting about doing it and the only swim cap picture she got was of these two!! Ha ha.
This year we rented a bunch of paddle boards for a few days. It was one of the best things that we did this year!! Tyler and I had been mulling over buying two paddle boards last Christmas for our family but we didn't know if everyone would enjoy them. Both Reilly and Kameron had tried paddle boarding at camp and loved it. Yes, we WILL be purchasing some in the future. They are so fun!! We all had the greatest time on them. Even the kids!!
There was a lot of playing on the beach...
They played a lot of dress-up:
Bryn, River, Jaylah, and Ailey looking good!!
There was lots of fun cousin time:
Dane and Ailey
Elle and River
Kam and Dane
There was plenty of mother/daughter bonding time!!
Most of the time we just hung out and enjoyed the water and the sun!! I can't get enough of either.
Everyone wanted to drive the boat...
We went to the ice cream shop!!
Three studs right there!
We cooked for a crowd and ate great food! Each family takes a day to cook and it is hellish but when your day is over you just get to kick back and enjoy!!
Aunt Kelley did her nature walk with the kids.
We ate out!
We enjoyed these almost daily...the luscious avatars!!
Aunt Jordin dug out a million slivers from everyone and even super glued a big toenail back on...mine! It's nice to have a nurse around. :)
We celebrated RJ's 3rd Birthday:
There was a pinata:
One day my grandma...the original "lake girl" was kind of down. I asked her what was wrong and she told me that she "just wanted to go and jump in the lake" so we let her. Kind of. Once she got her toes in she wasn't so sure she liked it but I am glad that we helped her do it. I hope that when I am an old granny my grandkids and great-grandkids will help me jump in the lake too. :)
We did a lot of laughing...
It was 10 days full of good food, great water, lots of boating, wake boarding, tubing, floating, swimming, laughing, late nights talks out on the dock, star gazing, reminiscing, cooking for huge groups, missing loved ones no longer with us, fishing, relaxing and it was hot enough that Tyler and I even got a night in of skinny dipping after our brutal day of cooking. The weather here has been so unseasonably hot.
Then we found out that our cousins were arriving a day earlier than expected. So we packed up, cleaned up, had a crazy eventful swim across the lake, and headed home. We came back out two days later to spend time with our cousins and to have a memorial day for my Uncle Mike. His family was scattering his ashes in the lake. Not a bad final resting place. I like thinking about resurrection morning when my Uncle Mike rises triumphant from the lake with a grin on his face and his laughter echoing off the cliffs.
Here are a few pictures from our family gathering that day:
Jordin, Jaylah, Hannah, Aunt Bonnie, Jennifer, Jackson
Tyler, Aunt Margaret, Ramon, Kelley, and Jordin
Back Row: Justin, Grace, Miley, Kameron, Jeff
Middle Row: Ailey, Jaylah, Aunt Ade, Lauri
Front Row: Jackson, Whitney, Zoey, Wendy, Paul, Addie, Haylee, Stacey, Mom
Stacey, Lauri, Jeff, Mom, Peyton, Dane, River
Me, Lauri, Uncle Steve,Tyler
My Aunt Bonnie got a wind chime and had it engraved with my uncle's name on it to hang out at the lake in his memory.
It was nice to have this time together to laugh, cry, and share memories. That man was very loved. He made a difference. He made others feel loved...and... he was hilarious and super fun. Can you ask for more than that in life?
Then it was time for some cousin selfies thanks to Jordin. :)
It was a good day following a good week. Family, love, laughter, lake time.
