Hipwell Family Reunion – Part Three

My personal family still eats off of plates my family made at family reunions when I was growing up.  Some have just our names on it, but others have my actual drawings on them. I think it is such a fun memento, but it would have cost me hundreds of dollars to replicate so I had to knicks the idea.  A friend of mine posted a picture on Facebook recently of t-shirts her kids created with sandpaper and crayons.  I bought all the supplies not quite knowing if it would actually work.  On Monday morning the kids worked on their designs. Katie's shirt was the first I put to the test and thankfully, it turned out just as intended. Everyone seemed to enjoy the activity and have something personal to take home.

Another popular activity for the kids was playing on various gaming devices.  We brought our DS for the long drive, but the kids didn’t use them during the reunion.  Jason enjoyed watching the other kids play though.

My brother Lee is an avid outdoorsman.  He volunteered to take any interested kids on an overnight backpacking trip.  Abigail was really excited to go.   Monday morning Lee made sure the kids had all the equipment they would need.  We borrowed a backpack from our friends that worked out perfectly for Abigail.  The backpackers left the cabin shortly after lunch and didn't return til the following afternoon. 

Packed up and ready to go!

Back at the cabin things were MUCH quieter without all those tweens and teens.  Justin and I watched a movie with Brenda, Robyn, and Cammy after preparing a simple dinner.  I loved that there was always someone willing to hold Drew or help Katie if she needed something.  Here Robyn is entertaining Drew with a little Baby Einstein on her iPad while Justin and I got dinner ready.

It was so fun to watch Katie and Brooklyn together.  Besides church Katie doesn’t get a lot of interaction with kids her age.  She loved Brooklyn the moment they met.  Brooklyn would walk into a room and Katie would run to her with open arms.  I love that they had each other to play with all week!

Apparently the backpackers hiked about a mile and a half along the river near Mesa Falls and then set up camp.  Lee packed in hot dogs and s'mores for the night and each of the kids packed a small and easy breakfast.  The kids were all excited and stinky when they returned to the cabin while the adult campers seemed to be exhausted.  I'm so grateful that Lee was willing to take on all those kiddos and let them get a small taste of something he is so passionate about.  Abigail has already talked to him about wanting to do it again at the next reunion.

We had just enough time after the campers got back on Tuesday to head down to the lake for a few hours before our evening plans.  Justin and I were able to sneak out on the two person kayak for a little while and both Katie and Jason went out on the kayaks with Justin as well.  The lake was so low that Justin and Jason were able to make it across the lake.

After showers we all headed to Mack's Inn for the Cowboys & Petticoats dinner show.  Most of the kids wore their reunion shirts but unfortunately I never did get a picture of all the kids wearing their creations.  I did get this little gem…

Can you see Fox’s determination in the middle?

The show was lots of fun and I loved looking down our long table and seeing so many of my family members.  

Abigail was singled out during the show by one of the actors when he asked for her number. Oh my, she was embarrassed! But I think she also loved it.  I'm sure before I know it boys really will be calling on her.

Abigail’s admirer on the left