Hawkes Family Reunion and Field Photoshoot

Last Wednesday kicked off the first day of the Hawkes family reunion.We took the girls over to my Mom's house while we met up with the Hawkes caravan where they picked us up on their way, we went on the Reclamation road until we got to the dam for the Grassy Lake reservoir. I was in the leading car and we noticed a dead, floating animal off the shore of the reservoir, we weren't sure what it was so we decided to stop and check it out, and so did the other four cars following behind. Picture 20 people getting out of a car to look at a floating, bloated animal, apparently the immediate thought in everyone's mind was to pick up a rock and try and hit it. So for about ten minutes we threw rocks at a dead moose. It was a great start to our family hike. 

We got back in our suburbans, vans and trucks and continued up the dirt road until we saw the trail head for Buela Lake. We sprayed ourselves with mosquito dope, filled our water bottles and headed on our hike. It was only a 5 mile round trip hike, which turned out perfect. Easy enough that there were hardly any complainers. Not compared to last years hike which turned into an 18 miler!

Andrew had to leave early to be back in time to water so he missed the next hike, we decided for the rest who wanted to go on another hike could stay. Back along the dirt road there was another trail head for Terrace Falls. I liked this hike even better than the first. I love waterfalls, and these did not disappoint, I say these because there were several! 

The next morning I packed up our camping gear and clothes for a sleepout at Brian and LaRee Hawkes' house. That's where the reunion was to be for the next three days. I decided I was going to attempt staying down there with the girls even though Andrew wouldn't be able to. Too much work (irrigation) to do in July! Oh well, it's alright, I'm glad we stayed down there.

Uncle Grant even had plans for an outdoor shower, so as not to have people fighting over showers in the house. 

Here is what they came up with.

Quite genius I'd say and the water was perfect, high pressure and steamy! The girls and I showered here both mornings. It was a little weird though being naked outside only sheltered by a tarp! 

It was tent city on the lawn, and the nights were perfect! We never got cold and the ground was soft because of the grass.

This was our little tent, the little green and gray one.

The first morning we woke up for delicious outdoor cooked breakfast, whole wheat pancakes, bacon, eggs and fruit! Yum...

Here's Leah "sitting" and waiting for breakfast.

Barry, Emily (Andrew's siblings) and cousin Ally looking all fresh in the morning.

Sister Joanie and Brother Jeremy

Niece Izzy

Nephew Levi

Apparently my girls don't know how to sit in chairs, because shortly after I took the picture above of Leah, Lily came over and planted herself in this camp chair like this.

The rest of the day was spent at the Heritage park in Sugar City, where we played softball, kickball, hunter, bear and gun, missionary tag and even had a buttermilk drinking contest. I was so sore the next day from playing so hard that I could barely walk but it was worth it! 

The following day Andrew joined us on our trip to the timber up by Jim and Kathy's in Drummond. 

I didn't realize we would have to four-wheel it to get to our destination, had I known I would have had Andrew jump in with us in our Acadia instead of dragging our poor Honda through the grass that was taller than it was.

We forged through the grass and made ourselves a nice little area for lunch and games. We had delicious hot dogs and refreshing watermelon. 

Uncle Grant always has something fun planned, it usually involves orange twine. This time it was using that orange twine to make rope! Who knew making rope would be so fun, I sure didn't but I was completely intrigued. He has this really neat contraption that you attach the twine to and then turn so that it winds it right up. Each of the kids made one and so did I. 

With rope the possibilities are endless!

Some of the men decided they would go off and shoot some guns so the rest of us played a fun Survivor game and then Charades after that. Our team added the song, "In the Mood" for Grandma Hawkes to act out. She decided the best way to act it would be to do the dance she used to do when she was a teenager. This picture doesn't capture her skills but believe me she had them!

Back in Sugar that night we had some friends in our tent! Julie and her little Jaxon stayed with us, the girls were thrilled, especially the next morning when we got to play with him. He sure is a cutie!

The playing turned into an all out brawl between the girls over who got to play with Jaxon, he sure is loved.

Saturday morning we decided to go to the Annual 24th of July parade in St. Anthony. It's no Days of 47 parade but at least we get chocolate milk handed out by Grandpa (Alan) Baum! It's definitely a highlight. 

Lily is starting to get such a silly personality, the first thing she did with her candy was to take it out of the wrapper and stick it on her nose. 

Our favorite float. It was really good!

The girls favorite car.

And our favorite music, played by the South Fremont Marching band. Leah and Lily couldn't resist dancing.

The rest of the day was spent playing and enjoying more sun, the girls played on a slip n slide and Andrew and I taught more family members how to play Karnaxis. Several played twice and some even a third time later that night. We're just happy people like it so much.

We had a great weekend but believe me we were exhausted by the end of it! It was good to get home, be with Andrew and to sleep in our own beds. We'll have to see what next year brings but for now we look forward to the next reunion.

Yesterday....

My friend Britney asked me if I would do a photoshoot with our girls out in the fields. I happily agreed because if you can't tell I love taking pictures. So out we went on a little adventure.  

I fear that our summer days are going by way too fast, when you have so much planned it seems to go so much faster. I can't believe it's already the end of July. This week will be calm but next week we add 6 more to our family, we get to have the Butikofer kids while their parents go to Hawaii. Wish us luck!