A Family Reunion - Part 3 - Wrap-Up...

 

A family reunion just isn't complete...at least for us...until the Pinata comes out! Loaded with lots of yummy candy...The Farmer and The Rooster hung the anticipated pinata from the rafters of the porch. One by one...the cousins, from smallest to tallest...took their turn hitting a the swinging target.

 

 

 

It didn't take long for the "loot" to hit the ground...and the cousins quickly scrambled to fill their arms...shirts...and whatever else they could find...full of candy!

 

 

Some people were pretty excited to get their hands on the "pinata parts" and proudly wore them around during the evening;)

 

Others simply used the "pinata parts" to hold their candy stash in.

 

All in all...the pinata was a success...

 

Sunday morning, before we left for church...the family gathered to hear message sent by The Missionary Boy. Grandpa S. had asked him several weeks earlier if he would share his feelings about serving a mission. The Missionary Boy, prepared a messge and recorded it with his camera, and then sent it home. His message was so sweet and the family seemed to enjoy it. One of the small cousins said..."what happened to Jordan's hair??"..(it is shaved right now)...another said..."he doesn't look the same"... Hopefully they could feel his missionary spirit and his love for his mission.

 

 

For the last few years...Aunt Kim...who is an amazing photographer...does a little photo shoot with the "Beauties." They are all growing up so fast and are becoming beautiful young ladies. As always...Aunt Kim captured them perfectly! It is a great tradition of the reunion.

 

A Family Reunion - Part - Activities...

 

Activities at a family reunion...are a delicate balancing act;) The adults would really like time to just be together and visit...and the kids need to be kept busy most of the time. Fishing is high on the list of activities for the kids...they really look forward to their time at the pond. This year, thankfully...there were no accidents;)...Last year we did have a "hook in the foot" accident, and a quick trip to the Dr. to have it removed. Anyway...many hours were spent in deep concentration at the pond.

 

 

This year, Uncle Ben's family provided an Archery activity, which was really enjoyed! Everyone took a turn or two...to see if they could hit the target, while the rest of the group watched...and offered commentary;) It was a really fun activity!

 

We thought it would be fun to bring a couple of ice chests full of "mini" sodas from Mexico...and it turns out they were a hit!

 

A Family Reunion - Part 1 - The Farmer's Art Class...

A couple of weeks ago...we headed to the mountains of Arizona for a family reunion. It worked well for us, as it was a holiday weekend in Mexico, and The Darlings didn't have to miss school. That was a really good thing! We met the "Mesa Family" at Tenny Ranch...a great reunion location owned by some cousins. We began planning the event a few months ago, and first and foremost on the requested list of activities was The Farmer's art class. When I told him that the he had been so highly requested...The Farmer was secretly quite thrilled. There is nothing he loves more than a good art project! So he was pretty happy to do his rock painting event once again!

 

A special trophy was made for the winner of the art competition...that was one lucky child that got to take the shell people home!! The Farmer requested that the trophy be displayed in a focal point,in the home of the art winner. The little man that won was going to make sure it was proudly displayed;) I told his Mom...I was really sorry about the instructions from The Farmer...but she was a great sport!;)

 

Special supplies were also purchased for the art class. In fact, after traveling down a few isles at Michael's Craft Store...the cart was pretty full...thanks to The Farmer...and when we went to check out, and he saw the total of the items...he quickly said..."what in the heck did you buy????" to which I answered...."really???" And then he realized that HE was the one who "needed" every item so that the art event would be complete

and total success!!

 

It really did entertain the kids for a very long time. They would take a small break, run around outside....get something to eat...and then they would head back to their art projects...

A few of the art projects...

It was an even greater success this year! I am not sure how The Farmer is going to top this one;)