When Families Gather II

But wait there's more. When Families Gather I was all Spencer's photos. These are my photos of the gathering.  There was lots of crafting by cute "little relatives" (see WFG I for "little relatives" reference)

 There were watermelons to paint as Emily demonstrates.

 Birdhouses to paint and decorate.  As shown by Kaitlyn.

 Kindra & Korbie show that even big kids like to craft.

Everyone loves to craft--even Des!

 Some even cuter "little relatives" and well, Cooper (cute in his own St. Bernard way).

Kindra once again showing off her color combos!

 If you are sensing a trend with the headbands--there was one.  Yes, it was one of the crafting options (even I made one).  I believe that Gordon made his himself.  I know I saw him braiding fabric...

  This is too show that Beckett truly did still love Spencer (see WFG I).  They spent some real quality time at the beach.  Though Spencer did say it was hard to get all that sand off his hairy legs.

I love this exchange between Spencer & Becket!

 Even the "men" participated in the game playing.  This was an all men card game.  I believe there were two that happened.  We refuse to talk about the same card game that involved 10 year old Dillon gleefully beating everyone the first time he played.  :-)

Lincoln contemplating some roasted hotdogs.  This was days before the incident with the swing.  We hope he is not emotionally scarred by his visit with the family and will be back next year!

 This was our home away from home.  It was super to be able to sleep in the cabins and have the lodge to meet late into the evening.  We could make as much noise as we wanted into the night and not get tormented by thousands of bugs.  It was perfect.

 I threw this in just because Spencer deserves it!

More fun in the Sand!

Though not the best picture (Desi would kill me for using the ones of her) this shows the fun tire swing we found at the edge of the lake.  Lacey's husband Mike was really good at launching the kids from high up in the air and into the lake.

It truly was as awesome few days!  (Read on in When Families Gather I)

When Families Gather I

Our Vaden family members recently gathered (okay it was the 4th of July and I am a little slow--but it's still July so that is recent).  We met up at Alturas Lake which nestled in the beautiful Sawtooth Mountain range in Idaho (about 50 miles east of Sun Valley.  We had reserved the Cabin Creek compound which consists of 7 smaller cabins around a larger lodge.  It was a perfect location. In my mind a perfect combination of Redfish Lake and Wildhorse Canyon where we have gathered as a family in the past.  Our family, the Chandlers got there on the evening of the 4th and stayed in the caretakers cabin with Roberta & Celiac.  The next day we moved into our won cabin (Nephi as I recall--yes, the compound is owned by the Mormon church so all the cabins have church related names) and proceeded to have a wonderful time.

We met new family members.  This is my brother-in-law Gordon Olson holding his latest grandbaby who's name just happens to be Vaden!  It is so awesome to be able to gather with family and reconnect.  Since we are up here and they are all (mostly) in Idaho we generally only get to see them about once a year.  So I in particular enjoy getting together.

 This is me proving I still have it at 50!

 Tucker loved all the little 2nd cousins.  He loves little kids anyway and the little relatives in particular.  He made a bond with little TJ when we went out waterskiing.

 Another "little relative" (not sure if they are 2nd cousins, 1st cousins once removed or what to my kids--they are great neices & nephews to me).  This is little Micah who loves being on the boat!

 This cutie-patootie Beckett who came to visit us last summer and loved me.  This summer not so much really.  Though he did have a particular fondness for Spencer!  (Who also loves the "little relatives")

 This proves that I really still do have it--even at 50!  Maybe not the best form, but what can you expect of a person who only waterskis about once a year (maybe)!

 It's not a fluke!

 Dennis still has it too!  So much so he has to prove it by being a ham (nothing unusual there)!

 Lots of games were played in the Lodge.  The favorite of the boys was Jenga and some alternative version they named Super Jenga.

 The last day we took a family photo.  This didn't turn out so bad (and believe me we are not generally a really photogenic crowd--for various reasons).  It's hard to get a good one.

I am truly greatful to my sister Roberta for taking this on and making it happen.  It's harder without mom there to bind us all together, but it so important for us to continue to make the effort.  It is what she would want.  I for one am totally looking forward to next year at the same venue with the same people I love!