Vacation out West Part VI: Richards family reunion

On July 18 & 19, we had the annual Richards family reunion at Lewiston Park.  It had been a long time since(I can't even remember the last time we went) Bruce and I were in attendance at Richards family reunion. 

We arrived late afternoon on Friday the 18th.  Just a few of the cousins were there, but the kids jumped right into the fun.  A playground was just on the other side of the pavilion.  It's a good thing we were surrounded by family because I literally only caught occasional glimpses of the kids unless it was meal time.  Playing with cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents was great for the kids because they always had someone to play with, and great for me because I didn't have to worry about them. 

Aunt Eileen brought her bounce house.  Normally, this wouldn't excite my children, but cousin pressure worked in their favor.  Once Zaby realized how fun it actually was, it was difficult to get him out of it. 

We tried setting up and watching Monsters Inc on a big screen around the campfire on Friday night.  Unfortunately, the rain drops put a damper on that activity.  However, the rain didn't stop us from camping out at the park.  The tent we borrowed from Clay and Laurie was 1 of 2 tents set up.  Everyone else stayed at someone's house and came back to the park the next day.  Neal and Riki offered to loan us their camper, but Eliza insisted that she wanted to sleep in a tent.  So sleep in a tent we did.  We happened to pack our sleeping bags (all the way from Pennsylvania) for the occasion.  From the looks of this picture, Hazel seemed to enjoy her first overnight camping trip. 

She actually slept remarkably well, and so did I considering that snuggling with Hazel Mae is very much like trying to snuggle with a Bludger. 

Saturday was full of rain and lightning.  However, that didn't deter us from playing basketball at the church next door, picking up ice cream from the Fat Boy factory, and coming back with bags of Goldfish from the Pepperidge Farm factory in Richmond.  Even Suzanne 38 weeks pregnant (with twins) joined in on the fun.  She was determined to get those babies out as she participated in kickball later that afternoon when the storm let up. 

 Card games (Nerts), sports, and chatting with everyone filled up the rest of the afternoon.  Thank you Rachel and Jenifer for planning the reunion in behalf of all of us.  Me and the rest of my family thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Hazel got some additional snuggle/sleepy time with grandma Richards. 

Later that evening, we participated in the first annual Richards reunion lip sync.  Each family was in charge of preparing a lip sync.  This was so much fun.  Between Popcorn Popping (complete with an assortment of real popcorn balls thrown into the audience), the eye of the Tiger, and a Frozen medley - it was a blast.  I was particularly proud of my choreography and props with the Frozen medley, and even more impressed that I managed to include about 30 people in the 6 minute song.  After the lip sync the 2nd generation cousins (meaning the cousins kids) enjoyed a dance party. 

It was so fun to watch all the kids interact and enjoy each other's company. 

Our family slept in tents again, this time the only tent set up since Curtis and Kate had to head back to California.  Sunday morning saw us gathering around the campfire for a Sunday morning devotional.  It was a great testimony meeting as everyone in attendance expressed their gratitude for improved health and family.  It was made even better when we got the phone call from Blake and Suzanne saying that Suzanne had indeed welcomed those beautiful twin babies to the world early Sunday  morning. 

Meet Lucy

Meet Joseph

I love this picture of the 3 babies.  At a mere 3 months old, Hazel looks like a Giant compared to these newbies.  I love Hazel's reaction.  She realizes, "Ah!  I'm not the baby anymore!"

We were happy we got the chance to meet these little guys before our vacation out west came to an end.

Eliza holding baby cousin Joseph

Eliza holding baby cousin Lucy

It was so great spending time with extended family.  We don't get that opportunity very often, so we really take advantage of the times when we can.  Family is the best!