Blake's family chose this beautiful location for their family get together this year. We came here two years ago when I was pregnant with Porter and had so much fun together. It's quiet and private and since two years ago there have been several additions to the lake. This year we didn't have to camp, we were able to sleep in beds inside one of the houses. (You can rent this place for your next family reunion. To see more pics and get more info click
here)
The first night we were there we saw two eagles. One was a golden eagle that was perched on the fence that separates the lake property from the river. The second one was a bald eagle that was right in the river. I hurried to grab my camera to snap a picture.
So beautiful and peaceful
The morning of the second day I was able to meet my good friend R. in town and have lunch with her. It's always good to be able to catch up with old friends! When I got back from lunch I found Porter and Blake out for a ride in the kayak
One of the great things about these reunions is the cousin time! We didn't see Brooke hardly at all the entire time we were there. She just played and the older cousins were so good to look after her. She also loved the hot-tub!
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| Brooke and J. |
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| Cousin Soup |
While Porter was napping, Blake and I were able to get some wake-skating time in
This is my "I haven't done this in two years and hope I can at least get up" face
Yes! Success!
Blake showing K. how to use the sling shot
Relaxing with Mr. P
Zac got stitches in thumb--luckily the only accident the entire trip
One night we had an auction. Chris (AKA "Hot Karl") was the auctioneer and we all had monopoly money to spend.
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| the kids getting their money |
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| Hot Karl |
Brooke's winnings--she was pretty happy about this
Zac is the lucky winner of a DI prom dress. Cousin S.'s shirt says it all ;)
Porter made off with his own prize from the auction
Steph in her skeleton costume smacking the Justin Beiber pinata
I have to add this pic because there are hardly any of me. I was there!
Porter loved the swing
Brooke got stung by a bee one morning and we put a mud mask on her foot. It really works!
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| cousins J., K, and Brooke going for a ride |
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| Brooke and Blake on the paddle board |
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| cousin H. hops on |
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| more hot tubbin' |
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| DD does the surfin' thing |
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| Blake surfing |
Of course Porter is not interested in the water while he's dressed in his swim suit, but as soon as he has on real clothes, he can't stay out of it.
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| waving to the boat with Grams |
The last night we had a talent show
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| Brooke and A. |
The talent show was mostly the kids doing stuff. Some of them danced, a couple of the girls wrote songs and played their ukuleles. At one point Brooke raised her hand that she had a talent (umm, what? Blake and I just looked at each other). She sang this song that she made up about loving her family and not throwing fits. It was really cute.
Zac is going to waterski in his prom dress and bear costume--he keeps us all entertained :)
Beautiful night!
Love spending time with family. See you soon!
Gotta end with the silly faces
Our kids (and mom and dad) crashed hard when we got home! We had so much fun playing that we needed a few days to recover.
