That's right – we had all 24 grandchildren and 7 kids all together for the first time in a long time.  We even had all but two of the brothers-in-law there.  It definitely made for quite the adventure . . .

 DAY8 (continued):  Kevin, the kids, and I went over to visit with some of the family who had arrived early, and had a blast talking and playing Karaoke Revolution.  Lily stole the show with her rendition of "Material Girl" – he he!

Day 9: This morning we sent all the guys out to play golf, and Kevin won shooting even par, which was pretty fun.  The official start of the reunion was a picnic at Rock Creek Park.  The kids played on the playground while the adults ate and talked.  Derek always seemed to have an older cousin carrying or chasing him around, and Lily couldn't get enough of playing with all the kids.  My favorite was when they were all gathered under the slide, and I went to take a picture, and she said, "Mom, it's not picture time, it's playing time!"

  That night we had a carnival for the kids.  I was in charge of the cupcake walk, which I did on the trampoline – the kids got to hop from number to number, instead of walking.  There was also a fish pond, an obstacle course,  donut races, bowling with cups, ring toss, pony rides, and more.  The kids had so much fun!!

Derek spent most of the time next to me, because I had the cupcakes.  It seemed like every time I turned around, he had swiped another one.  He ended up so covered in chocolate frosting, that I stripped him down to his diaper and let him play in the kiddie pool to wash him off.

Lily's favorite thing was definitely getting to ride her cousins' pony, Little Red Rocket :).  As she climbed up, she informed my brother-in-law, Stuart, that she was "Cowgirl Lily."  As she rode around, she kept yelling, "Yee hah!  Ridem Cowgirl!"  It was adorable!!

Day 10: Today we all went to Dirkies Lake, in the Snake River Canyon.  Kevin brought his Dad's raft and took kids out on it the whole time, while I chased Derek in the shallow water and at the playground. 

All the kids had a great time, and when we were done, we took Lily to see Shoshone Falls, or as she called them, "the secret waterfall."  It was exciting, because not only was there water going over them – not likely this time of year – but there was a rainbow!  So pretty!! 

That night, all the adults went out to eat at a great Chinese place, while the six older girls babysat the kids.  It was a blast, and I am so glad we did it :).  I haven't laughed that hard for a long time.

 Later, we had an impromptu dance in Holly's garage.  It was so much fun, and quite a workout.  I was a little sad that my little family missed it though, since both Derek and Lily fell asleep and Kevin had to stay with them.  I am glad I was there though.  My brother Preston was our DJ and we were using an assortment of MP3 players connected to computer speakers for our music.  I can't even begin to tell you how fun it was to make such a fool of myself – it had been way too long :).

Day 11:  This was our family picture adventure day – and an adventure it was getting all those people to look in the same place.  Kevin snapped quite a few, but the best ones, for some strange reason, were the ones we used a timer for.  I think it had something to do with the blinking red light :).  I also took some quick family pictures for a few of my siblings, and of course, a picture of all the grandkids with grandma and grandpa :).

Right after the pictures were done, Holly's husband, Stuart, took the kids on wagon rides with their pony.  It was so fun, and definitely another great memory for Lily.  Then Kevin took Derek for a spin on the 4-wheeler :).

That afternoon we went bowling at Cedar Lanes in Filer.  I got the highest score I have in ages, a 102!  Yea!  The little kids were adorable, but I don't think you can beat a 4 year old in bowling shoes :).

We also took a break from the reunion to say hi to Kevin's brother Randy, who was home with his girlfriend for the weekend.  And of course, Lily took advantage of the time to play with Grandma Valerie some more.

This day was really packed, because after a dutch oven dinner – yum! – we had a talent show.  Lily, once again, fell asleep before it started (the time change did her in), however, she woke up right before me sister Holly and I sang "We Are Family" for the closing number – another fun moment of making a fool of myself :).  Lily then sang the song she rehearsed (the "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" theme song), sadly without her daddy on the ukulele, but she did a great job anyway :).

DAY 12:  My parents spoke in church about their mission, and my sister-in-law Misty and I sang "Consider the Lilies" for the musical number.  Our family took up two huge rows in the chapel – he he!  I cannot begin to tell you how much fun it was to sit with my sisters in Sunday School, etc :).

 Later that evening, after a big family dinner and all the cousins had signed each other's t-shirts (I made them, and they signed their names with fabric markers on everyone's shirt.), we had a fireside for my parents to talk about their mission.  My dad even dressed in his Anderson tartan kilt for it :).  The greatest was how my nephews asked him 3 or 4 times why he had a knife in his sock :).

Day 13:  Monday was the last day, and since people were beginning to head home, it was a lot less structured.  I enjoyed just hanging out and reading my Harry Potter book, oh and passing on the love of Twilight to my sisters and nieces :). 

 My brother Matthew had all the kids make rockets that morning and launched them.  It was pretty cool, except for when one almost hit me because the launcher was tilted too much :).  Oh well.  Then we had a farewell BBQ for lunch.

Then I led the kids in a treasure hunt (we did the little kids first), and they went from one treasure map to another, until they were led to the one with the treasure at the end (Rolos).  They had to walk past Kevin and Derek sleeping, and so I told them all that they were the pirates, and that we couldn't wake them up since we were stealing their treasure.  It was a blast :). 

After a nice dinner with Kevin's mom, and getting the kids to sleep, I went back to my sister's for a campfire, roasting marshmallows, and singing songs.  One more experience that made all the work and craziness worth it.

Day14: Our last day in Idaho turned out to be a lot more action packed than I would have liked it to be, but at least they were all good activities :).  First thing, my mom and us sisters went to Holly's ultrasound appointment.  She found out she is having boy #4, and although it was a little sad she wasn't getting her girl, the baby was healthy and it was great to be all together having fun :).

That afternoon, Valerie took my sister Wendy and me to The Gathering Place, an amazing quilt store in Rupert.  I finally got the backing for Lily's quilt, and so there is an end in site :).  Wendy went home with all sorts of goodies as well.

That night, we went out to Maxie's with my family to get pizza, which Lily and Derek were overjoyed about. They love it almost as much as their Uncle Randy does :).  Then we got the kids to bed, packed, and I went to my parent's to say my good-byes.  (I also took a quick detour to the canyon to take my oldest sister Cheryl's family pictures, and my nephew Scott's senior pics.  It was so much fun, and they turned out so well :).  Did I ever mention how much I love taking pictures?)

On the way home, we passed the Twin Falls, Idaho Temple – which is being built, and I finally had my camera with me.  It is gorgeous, and I can't wait to come back next year when it is finished :).

The good-byes trickled down to the next day, and were very hard, as I know it will probably be years before I see some of my siblings again.  I love my sisters and brothers so much, and am so grateful to have such a close and amazing family.  Thank goodness we will be together forever!