Anson Family Reunion

Being Labor Day weekend and what some consider as the official end of summer, it really is time to finish blogging our summer adventures. We had a wonderful reunion with Joseph's family at the beginning of August. Daivd and Amy were here from St. Louis. Zac was in heaven having another big boy cousin to pal around with. Marc and Liz came down for the weekend, too. We started with family pictures which turned out nice even though some of the cousins were a little uncooperative, namely Brook. When we got back to the house, Grandpa had a BIG surprise. He borrowed a huge waterslide from a generous neighbor. He gave the kids waterguns and let them at it.

Ally was a little unsure at first. In fact it took us most of the afternoon to convince her to try the slide. Once we got her up there, she loved it.

Some of the "big kids" got in the water, too. David was the only one with an actual swimsuit. That did not stop Marc. He dove in clothes and all. Marc and David tried to send Joseph for a swim, too. When will you boys learn that Joseph will always be bigger and stronger? Dad did try to come to Joseph's aid, but all three boys turned on him and sent him into the pool. Nice try, Dad. Sariah just soaked it all in. She decided to try to take a drink from the cannon on the slide. What is it with her and drinking from sprinklers?

Brook was content to stay in the pool. She splashed and squealed to her heart's delihgt. Sariah eventually decided to try the slide as well. She thought it was pretty cool.

Zac was the only kid that needed no coaxing. He took to the slide in nothing flat. He ran around squirting everyone and loved when someone would chase him down and throw him in the pool. Sometimes, he just does not know when to quit. The kids all had a blast. They were running around so much, it was hard to snap pictures, but the cousins really are there, too.

After a yummy dinner, we let the kids play with glow sticks and put them all to bed in the family room together, minus the three youngest who got to sleep with moms and dads. They did fairly well all together. The adults snuck upstairs and mangaed to stay awake through a few phases of Phase 10 before we all passed out.

The next morning Liz made her yummy pancakes and then we all headed up the canyon for a picnic lunch.

Mom and Dad found a beautiful picnic spot. The kids loved climbing all over the red rock. There were several small "caves." They speculated about what might live inside. Ally announced they were bear caves. She must have sounded like an authority, because Caled got a little nervous until David assured him that if any bears came Uncle Joe would wrestle them. He was fine after that. After lunch, we took the kids to throw rocks in the river and headed home. We loved being with everyone and it was over way too soon. I have decided that one of my favorite things about summer is the chance we have to see family. It is like a little taste of heaven on earth.