Every three years, my extended family gets together for a family reunion. This year, there were 56 of us (16 of which were between the ages of 6.5 years old and 3.5 months old) that gathered at NorthStar in Lake Tahoe.
But before the reunion started, we went up a few days early -- to make the most of the 8 hour drive. We drove up to my parents, stayed two nights, then went up to Lake Tahoe for Monday through Thursday morning. But on the last night at my parents, Jack lost his second tooth. (You may remember that Jack lost his first tooth back in January at my parents house.)
We crossed over to Nevada to go to Zephyr Cove beach. The kiddos loved just playing in the sand and looked for rocks in the lake water, which was a bit too cold for me to even go past my knees.
We also went to a small trout fishing pond. Two small ponds are stocked just so little kids would catch something. It was ideal for my kiddos' ages. Jack and Dad caught the first fish. As Scott is killing it, an eye ball pops out of his head. Jack cheers and thinks it is awesome. Mom catches a fish but looses it. But then catches our second fish with Brooke. Jack is excited and chats about popping an eye out. As Scott is killing it, the eyes bulge out. Jack continues to cheer while Brooke breaks down crying. But she rallies and wants to see the third and final fish killed. This third fish swallowed the hook. As Scott is pulling it out, Jack excitedly yells that Daddy is pulling out the fish's tongue (which was really just the bait). Later at dinner time, Brooke intently watches Mom clean, cut and cook the fish. While Jack only had one bite and declared he didn't like it, Brooke requested the tail and ate several bites.
And I can't forget this delightful conversation with Brooke:
B: Mommy, my may may (her lovey blanket) stinks.
Me: Why?
B: Because Jack tooted on it.
Thanks to FaceBook, we realized long time friends of ours who live in Utah, where also vacationing in Tahoe. We were fortunate enough to hook up with them for an evening which we spent reminiscing and catching up.
We went river rafting, which was just amazing. Everyone really seemed to enjoy it.... even though the next day Brooke couldn't remember it! The water was perfect - flowing smoothly with only a few rapids. Scott steered from the back of the raft while Dad paddled at the front. We stopped once so the kids and Scott could wade in the river and we also stopped for a picnic lunch. Both kiddos hung over the side of the raft for a short while, as the water was a bit cold. At the end of the rafting, there were a few rapids and with Mom sitting at the front tip of the raft, we got caught on a rock. Once Mom moved to the center of the raft, we were once again moving down the river.
On Thursday, we moved over to NorthStar to meet up with the extended family. It was amazing to see so many friendly faces, some of which I only see during the reunions. Friday was a big family breakfast, skits by some cousins, chatting and catching up, kids crafts, gondola rides, hikes, swimming in the pool and a big family dinner.
Saturday was a day at the beach, playing in the sand, wading out into the lake, watching cousins on paddle board and just enjoying each other company. We attempted a huge family photos, mixed in with individual family photo session. We had another family dinner, filled with the kiddos playing with punching balloons, glow sticks and several rounds of duck-duck-goose.
After the little kids were tucked into bed and watched by the grandparents, several of us were able to go out later in the night for some non-kid / adult time. After a quick breakfast on Sunday, we were off for our long drive home. Too quick of a trip for the family reunion, but still so special to do.
During the whole vacation, the kiddos slept on an air mattress in the same room as Scott and I. As difficult as it was getting them to sleep at night (with their constant talking and playing with each other instead of falling asleep) and usually getting woken up early (with their constant talking, signing and just moving around in bed), one of the best memories I'll take away from this whole vacation was early one morning as I was waking up... both kiddos had their heads totally under the covers and I heard this...
Jack: I love you Brooke.
Brooke: I love you too Jack.
But before the reunion started, we went up a few days early -- to make the most of the 8 hour drive. We drove up to my parents, stayed two nights, then went up to Lake Tahoe for Monday through Thursday morning. But on the last night at my parents, Jack lost his second tooth. (You may remember that Jack lost his first tooth back in January at my parents house.)
We also went to a small trout fishing pond. Two small ponds are stocked just so little kids would catch something. It was ideal for my kiddos' ages. Jack and Dad caught the first fish. As Scott is killing it, an eye ball pops out of his head. Jack cheers and thinks it is awesome. Mom catches a fish but looses it. But then catches our second fish with Brooke. Jack is excited and chats about popping an eye out. As Scott is killing it, the eyes bulge out. Jack continues to cheer while Brooke breaks down crying. But she rallies and wants to see the third and final fish killed. This third fish swallowed the hook. As Scott is pulling it out, Jack excitedly yells that Daddy is pulling out the fish's tongue (which was really just the bait). Later at dinner time, Brooke intently watches Mom clean, cut and cook the fish. While Jack only had one bite and declared he didn't like it, Brooke requested the tail and ate several bites.
And I can't forget this delightful conversation with Brooke:
B: Mommy, my may may (her lovey blanket) stinks.
Me: Why?
B: Because Jack tooted on it.
Thanks to FaceBook, we realized long time friends of ours who live in Utah, where also vacationing in Tahoe. We were fortunate enough to hook up with them for an evening which we spent reminiscing and catching up.
We went river rafting, which was just amazing. Everyone really seemed to enjoy it.... even though the next day Brooke couldn't remember it! The water was perfect - flowing smoothly with only a few rapids. Scott steered from the back of the raft while Dad paddled at the front. We stopped once so the kids and Scott could wade in the river and we also stopped for a picnic lunch. Both kiddos hung over the side of the raft for a short while, as the water was a bit cold. At the end of the rafting, there were a few rapids and with Mom sitting at the front tip of the raft, we got caught on a rock. Once Mom moved to the center of the raft, we were once again moving down the river.
On Thursday, we moved over to NorthStar to meet up with the extended family. It was amazing to see so many friendly faces, some of which I only see during the reunions. Friday was a big family breakfast, skits by some cousins, chatting and catching up, kids crafts, gondola rides, hikes, swimming in the pool and a big family dinner.
Saturday was a day at the beach, playing in the sand, wading out into the lake, watching cousins on paddle board and just enjoying each other company. We attempted a huge family photos, mixed in with individual family photo session. We had another family dinner, filled with the kiddos playing with punching balloons, glow sticks and several rounds of duck-duck-goose.
After the little kids were tucked into bed and watched by the grandparents, several of us were able to go out later in the night for some non-kid / adult time. After a quick breakfast on Sunday, we were off for our long drive home. Too quick of a trip for the family reunion, but still so special to do.
During the whole vacation, the kiddos slept on an air mattress in the same room as Scott and I. As difficult as it was getting them to sleep at night (with their constant talking and playing with each other instead of falling asleep) and usually getting woken up early (with their constant talking, signing and just moving around in bed), one of the best memories I'll take away from this whole vacation was early one morning as I was waking up... both kiddos had their heads totally under the covers and I heard this...
Jack: I love you Brooke.
Brooke: I love you too Jack.
No comments:
Post a Comment