Mendenhall Family Reunion 2013/Missionary Farewell

In July, we had our annual Mendenhall Family Reunion.  We usually have it in August but we bumped it up a bit this year because my parents were leaving for their mission to Belize - we combined the reunion with the same weekend of their "farewell".  It was a wonderful weekend (I'm hoping I remember all the wonderful-ness to include in this post since I'm getting so behind in my posts)! 

 

My sister, Natalie, and her family went to a lot of work organizing it all this year and hosted us all at their house in McCammon for the reunion.  What a big job and what a great job they did!

 

We left Payette on Thursday, July 12th to kick off the reunion by meeting up with the family around 2 for an afternoon of  swimming at Lava Hot Springs where we all grew up and where my parents still live.  There have been some changes/additions made to the pool there that are great, especially for the little ones.  They've added an entire new indoor kids' pool (which is perfect so they don't get sunburned) that is shallow and exciting with all the fountains, slides, activities, etc. they can do in it. 

 

  

 

Rosie stayed on the outskirts of the pool because she was a bit nervous around all the other kids who were so loud and rowdy with their fun.  She was perfectly content with this small fountain.

And this is what the older kids were so rowdy with.  They loved the bucket that filled with water and then dumped out on them.  It was so fun watching most the cousins lining up time and time again to get dumped on.  They all just had such a good time together.  Heck, I had a great time!  It was easier and more relaxing to have all the kids in one place.  AND there was a hot tub right next to this kids pool that was fun to soak in sometimes while watching the kids!

After a very full afternoon of water fun, we met up with my dad for dinner in McCammon.  We had not seen him and his wife in about a year for one reason or another.  So this was a good chance to catch up a bit and for them to see how much the kids have grown. 

 

After dinner, we headed over to Russ and Natalie's where we stayed for the duration of the reunion.  We stayed up late that night just visiting and enjoying one another's company.  We had them all to ourselves that night since no one else had shown up to stay there until the next day.  This time spent with her and her family is a time I truly treasure beyond words! 

 

The next day was filled with cowboy festivities!  Ever since Natalie sent out the schedule of activities for the reunion, and I had informed my kids about what was available, I heard every day about their excitement to ride "real life horsies" (as Vanna would say it :) and how they were going to wear their cowboy boots and be cowboys!  Russell was so good to get the horses out and ready for the kids to "ooo" and "ahhh" over, get up close and personal with, and for each of them to ride on a bit in the corral. 

 

Both Cash and Vanna kept telling me beforehand that they wanted to ride the horses all by themselves but once Vanna got on the horse and she realized it was a little bumpy (this was her first time on a horse and I don't think that she knew what to expect), she grew uncertain and was more comfortable riding with Russell.  She loved it once she had him on there with her. 

This picture is of Roger, Russ and Natalie's oldest, who helped his dad lead the horses around the corral.  However, once Cash got on the horses he soon wanted to take the reins in his own hands and try leading the horses himself.  He was much more confident on the horses than Vanna and simply could...not...get...enough.  I was afraid he was taking time away from his other cousins that wanted rides too.  He hung around long after everyone else seemed to have had enough and just didn't want it to end.  He felt like such a real cowboy!  I think he was jealous of his cousins Roger, Dawson and Mitchell who get to ride the horses often and are used to that sort of thing. 

Cash's boots kept falling off - funny memory.

Of course, the fun doesn't end there - does it ever end when you've got all your cousins to play with!?  No matter what was going on, whether it was as exciting as riding horses, or just jumping, swinging, talking, etc, the kids all seemed to be having such a great time and we all just loved watching them all!  BTW - check out that awesome clubhouse in the backyard that Russ built the boys just for fun - complete with windows and a loft.  That's where all the kids slept each night throughout the reunion - although I'm sure there really wasn't much sleeping going on!  What fun!

 

After enjoying our traditional and delicious dutch oven chicken and potatoes dinner with cobbler for dessert, we headed over to the McCammon Rodeo, to spend the rest of the night.  Growing up, my family used to attend the rodeo most every year I think but I hadn't been to it since probably high school.  I love this rodeo - very entertaining, not too short, not too long and very family friendly! 

 

All the cousins soaking it all up and filling up on treats.  We had talked to our kids before hand about not needing any treats but what did we find in their hands after coming back from the concessions with some of their cousins - snow cones, pop, and a gum-shocking trick toy!    The little rascals must have given someone their puppy eyes!

I snuck some pictures of the kids in the clubhouse the next morning.  Kids were everywhere and some of them even sound asleep on the hard wooden floor!

Wake up sleepy heads!

The next day was filled with more fun.  The kids played and played, made crafts that Natalie had organized, etc.  Both Cash and Vanna got stung by wasps during the reunion (funny too that it was only our kids because not one other person got stung :).  This was Vanna's first experience.  Poor thing.

Most the family went clay-pigeon shooting that afternoon, which is always fun.  Believe it or not, I usually do pretty well at that.  I just aim, follow the pigeon with the shotgun, close my eyes and shoot.  not a very good or perhaps safe technique but it serves me well and I usually hit about 3/4 of them - you should try it. :)  Although I love to do it, I passed on the activity this time to stay behind and watch the kids and snack on all the yummy munchies everyone brings to the reunion. 

 

Later that evening, we all went to the McCammon Parade that the town always has the same weekend as the rodeo.  

All the kids anxiously awaiting their chance to snag some candy!

 Nothing like a small town parade.  There was even a van with a donkey riding inside it with it's head sticking out the back window! We all got a good laugh at that. 

 

Afterwards, the kids had a water-balloon fight.  That certainly was fun to watch!  I'm glad I didn't get wet! 

 

And even later, we all enjoyed sitting around the campfire while visiting.  I think we all had a fantastic time at the reunion.  I'm so grateful for that tradition our family has - I believe it is so important to do things like this with your family and it is just the kind of stuff I live for.  I love it when we can all get together, strengthen relationships and enjoy one another's company! 

The next day was Sunday and a big day for Mom and Tab.  It was their farewell and we all headed to the Lava Ward to listen to their talks.  They were excellent and we can't tell you how excited we were for them to go on their mission.  Although it was sad to think about not seeing them for two years, it was likewise exciting think about the experiences they would have and share with us.  We're grateful for their example!

All of us enjoying a meal afterwards.

Tab used to be called "Weepy" at one time because he's a kind of sensitive guy who isn't afraid to show his emotions.  This occasion was no different - he had us all a little teary eyed as he expressed his and my mom's gratitude for family and friends and the support and love they've felt as they embark on this new journey.

 

And more family time!  ALL of us kids and grandkids were there together Sunday and again, it was so pleasant being surrounded by our loved ones.  I just can't say it enough - those are moments that are forever etched in my memory and heart - moments when we are ALL together - truly a treasure!