When everyone arrived, and
before the children all got their clothes dirty, we took pictures. Carol's
sister, Kathy, and her daughter Suzanne, with four children, came for the
first two days. We loved having them with us. It was fun to see them
interact with their second cousins.
The Reunion was a blast...there were canoe
races and paddle boat tours, while the baby-sitters relaxed on the
shore...ignoring the babies who were eating rocks! Some rode bikes, while
others held and kissed babies, and still others went for icy plunges into the
lake!
One day we took little ones over to
the sand bar to play in the sand and water.
The food was GREAT! Working in the kitchen
is always more fun with those you love!
We played "Minute-to-Win-It",
colored pictures, built marshmallow shooters, played water games and had a
Talent Show on the stage of our outdoor Amphitheater...we even had background
music!
One morning, we hiked the trail in the "Grove of the
Patriarchs", Mt. Rainier National Park, and had a picnic lunch. Chuck and
I are "tree huggers"...Haha!
The last day we celebrated Chuck's
birthday, had a finale bonfire, and testimony meeting that night!
Anna and
Melissa stayed an extra night out in the cabins. Anna and her girls stayed an
extra few days with us, and then visited Melissa's family for their last
"hurrah" before flying back to Florida.
The end of August, Chuck
and Carol went back to Mt. Rainier to Paradise Inn and hiked the beautiful
trails. The meadows were alive with color! The wild flowers were
amazing!
