Last month all of the Allred clan (my mom's family) gathered in Zion for the biannual Allred Reunion. We stayed at an awesome place called Clear Creek Ranch in a beautiful lodge that was actually big enough to house all of us and provide ample entertainment for everyone. We had so much fun for 4 straight days that I don't really know where to begin. I guess a thanks to my Grandma and Grandpa, aka Pooky and Papa, would be appropriate since it was all thanks to them.
I love this picture of my Grandpa, because it wouldn't be an Allred Reunion without a horseshoe tournament.
Here are my Grandparents with all the great-grandkids who were there...and this isn't even all of them. The amazing thing is Pooky and Papa have a personal relationship with each and every one of them. They never miss a birthday, blessing, baptism, or anything else important that goes on in any one's lives. They are amazingly supportive.
Our days were spent canoeing, swimming in the pond, slip n' sliding, hiking in Zion, playing minute to win it and other games, talking, doing crafts, exploring, and most importantly spending time with all our cousins and friends. The most amazing thing was even with the kids outnumbering the adults, it still felt like a vacation for all of us. The kids were so entertained and had so much fun playing with one another that in 4 days I never heard anyone say they were bored or ask for something to do. There was also not a single minute of TV, movies, or video games the entire time. I didn't know that was possible anymore, and I absolutely LOVED it. Someone mentioned that one sign of a good extended family reunion is when you can't tell which family the kids are from because tehy are all running around together and will run up to any adult when they need something. That was definitely the case there. Mason and his second cousin, Braden, who are just a couple month apart in age had fun together and thought it was pretty cool they had the same jammies.
I stole this collage from Whitney's blog because it generally sums up the reunion. Click on it to enlarge.
The the hundreds of pictures taken (thanks, Dad, for being the group photographer) there is not a single one of our family together. I'm not sure whose lap Brynn was sitting on for the wagon ride, but here are the rest of us.
We spent a lot of time rowing around in the "dingy" as Mason called it. It was definitely his favorite part of the trip. We could hardly get him of the pond long enough to eat.
Brynn did not share his love of the canoe.
I stole this collage from Whitney's blog because it generally sums up the reunion. Click on it to enlarge.
The the hundreds of pictures taken (thanks, Dad, for being the group photographer) there is not a single one of our family together. I'm not sure whose lap Brynn was sitting on for the wagon ride, but here are the rest of us.
We spent a lot of time rowing around in the "dingy" as Mason called it. It was definitely his favorite part of the trip. We could hardly get him of the pond long enough to eat.
Brynn did not share his love of the canoe.
But she did love the bouncy house Grandma Nancy brought. We hardly ever worried about where Brynn was because if the bouncy house was up, she was in it. And there was no shortage of friends for her to play with.
Mason gave the oversized slip n' slide a try and decided it was pretty fun.
Brynn was happy to give it a try but was quite upset when her swimming suit got wet. Apparently she didn't know that was part of the deal.
I mentioned how the adults had as much fun as the kids did. This was especially true for the big boys. Scott, Chris, Brandon, Anthony, and Jordan channeled their inner child and entertained us all with their stunts down the slip n' slide and canoe swamping.
Mason gave the oversized slip n' slide a try and decided it was pretty fun.
Brynn was happy to give it a try but was quite upset when her swimming suit got wet. Apparently she didn't know that was part of the deal.
I mentioned how the adults had as much fun as the kids did. This was especially true for the big boys. Scott, Chris, Brandon, Anthony, and Jordan channeled their inner child and entertained us all with their stunts down the slip n' slide and canoe swamping. Another collage of Whitney's that shows some of the boys' shenanigans.
It was a great reunion. Can't wait for the next one.
It was a great reunion. Can't wait for the next one.