Grant Family Reunion

Every year my extended family (my Mom's side) has a reunion at the Reid Ranch with all my cousins and their families. Dan wasn't able to come with us this year because of work and since he is coaching a high school football team and last week was their summer football camp. So the boys and I hitched a ride with my parents and met up with my sister, Lisa and her kids in Midway before heading up to the ranch.

We got up there in time for lunch on Thursday and settled in. The kids played inside the lodge with all the activities that the aunts brought.

 Most of the cousins were playing with the chairs and making mazes and if you look to the far left you can see Ethan.

 This is what Ethan did.

Funny little guy! He preferred to play with his toy trains by himself. 

Austin and Lindsey hanging out on the couch.

 Austin did so good on our vacation. He slept through the night and usually took pretty good naps. He loved all the attention!

 My Mom arranged a candy scavenger hunt for all the younger kids Thursday night. Ethan was so excited to run up on the stage and find candy.  I helped Ethan and Blake find candy to put in their bags. Ethan loved the Pixie Stix--what kid wouldn't love a tube full of flavored sugar?

 We weren't able to have a bonfire this year due to all the fire restrictions so we busted out the glowsticks to entertain the kids until bedtime. 

Ethan, Hayden, and my sister-in-law Lisa heading down to breakfast on Friday morning. 

My mom, my sister and I took the kids over to the playground after breakfast to play.  

 I remember doing this on the swings when I was a kid. Haha I guess it's the best way to swing when your feet can't reach the ground. 

 Ethan, Blake, and Cole on the three-way swing. 

We signed up for pony rides and went up to the corrals to get the kids ready. The ranch has safety measures for anyone who rides the horses, which includes the ponies, thus the helmets and life jackets. 

 Waiting for our turn to ride. 

 Grandpa Foster helped Ethan so Momma could take pictures. 

Hey Momma, I see you!

 Ethan did really good! He leaned over and hung on to the saddle horn for dear life...err...or maybe it was the only thing he could see under the helmet, either way, he was one good looking cowboy.

 Ethan wanted to ride the big "horsies" but that'll have to wait until we go back to Grandpa Foster's cabin. 

 We got to make paper rockets and launch them with the air compressor launcher.  So Ethan patiently waited for his turn to push the button to launch his rocket. 

 One of my uncles made balloon animals and swords for the kids which lead to several intense balloon sword fights. 

It rained all morning on Saturday so we didn't get the chance to play at the paddleboats this year but we enjoyed sitting in the lodge and talking with all the cousins. Six of us have had babies within the last year so we took pictures of all of us with our kids. 

Babies from left to right:

James, Austin, Alice, Addyson, Aubrey and Lexie
Moms:
Debbie, Me, Ruth, Lisa, Melanie, and Alisha
We had a great time at the reunion this year and it was fun to see all my cousins again!

The Grant Family 2012