More fun at the reunion

I love that my kids are okay coloring or doing a craft. They love to be creative and just sit while they let their hands create! This craft was to go along with the movie Coco so we decorated death masks. Each one was very unique.

Monique even set up our ancestors so they could be remembered.

We had fun with ice cream cones again this year.

It could be called a tradition.

All the chocolate and caramel sauce and whipped cream.

What a mess!

What? Someone took a picture of me!

That's crazy! That's unheard of!

Thank you.

I was seeing if my camera would work to take the big family picture.

With the telephoto lens it was just too challenging,

but I do like what I captured!

Another day at the lake

I could still use my camera body so I started taking pictures with my telephoto lens. That just meant I had to be farther away from my subjects. Oh well. Good thing everyone here has a smart phone with a camera so they can help capture moments that I miss.

They were having so much fun together!

Love the cousin love!

Scripture moment by Nathan P.

Always enjoy the treats at the end of the day.

Monique does a wonderful job with all the themes and dinners and desserts. I hope she knows how much fun she makes the reunions! It really is a treat to be together and to have so much fun!

First Full Day of the Payne Family Reunion

We were able to have our family reunion at Serendipity on Grand Lake in Oklahoma again this year. They gave us Monday free so we all arrived on July 23, which meant the first full day was Todd's birthday. What a great way to start a vacation!

As per the norm, the main attraction is the lake. The kids were quick to get the activities going and so I was there to capture some of their adventures.

Emily had fun with Naomi - who was being so brave.

The boys needed to empty the kayak.

Crazy Kemiah decided to try some new tricks.

Fishing is always a fun activity!

Naomi enjoyed being on the carpet with the others.

She copied Tinlee, who started to kick her legs in the water.

Unfortunately, I shouldn't have let he get so far out on her own. The floaties I had her in are not the best for those who don't know how to swim. I don't know why I let her go. No one was near her and she started to try to come back to the dock on her own. I was too quick and jumped in to get to her - with my camera on my back and my phone in my pocket. I should have handed the camera to Taylor who was right there.... Ack! I saved the child, which was very important but I could have spared a minute or two because she wasn't drowning yet, just struggling. Anyway, the lens was ruined and didn't recover but the camera body seems fine. So much for taking pictures this reunion.

Last Full Day at the Lake

Kemiah helped me make rice pudding for breakfast.

Many people were glad to eat it,

and Grammy saved some for the late sleepers - 

who were also very thankful.

Marissa was a little tired of swimming,

so she found something to read.

Gary and Monique just enjoying Kensen.

These three little girls had so much fun together.

Adisyn, Tinlee, and Domonique

Back to catching fish!

Way to go, Cole!

Fishing frenzy!

Kevin decided to take the kayak out to try his fishing luck elsewhere,

maybe a little more quiet.

Ryan's success!

Dallin's success!

Nicole brought an art craft for those who were interested.

Cute Naomi!

Alise took some time to cut hair!

Just a trim for Marissa.

She helped make Ramen for lunch - 

lots and lots of Ramen.

They were busy making stamps.

Camdilyn just liked painting so I let her use all the leftover paint.

Kemiah's turn...

Camdilyn's turn...

Just a trim to even it out.

Back to painting...

Harmonie hung out with Aiden the entire time.

The Gun Club!

Todd bought a gun so they tried it out.

Others were back to exploring at the lake, catching the little turtles was a grand adventure.

Watch me!

Now you see them...

Now you don't!

Monique brought a new activity. She split the kids up into four groups. Each group picked one person to wear the shower cap. Then they smeared shaving cream all over the cap. They stood in the middle and their teammates tried to toss cheese balls onto the caps to get them to stay. It was harder than you think. We probably needed more shaving cream but they had fun anyway.

Second oldest with second youngest!

Some people enjoyed eating the cheese balls instead!

For dessert we enjoyed ice cream sundaes

with lots of topping options!

It was delicious!

We gathered for the nightly scripture moment.

Mikaela talked about the Word of Wisdom

and treating our bodies like temples.

The winners bracket of the ping pong tournament came down to Mike and Ryan.

Ryan won.

The losers bracket came down to Mike and Blake.

Mike won.

Mike and Ryan ended up playing again for the final win!

Congratulations to Ryan.

It was really amazing to watch them hit the ball 

back and forth.

I was surprised at the way they were able to return such great shots.

They were really the champions!

Winners bracket.

Losers bracket.

Benjamin decided his time was better spent down at the dock in the quite night hours. He came up to the ping pong tournament and whispered in my ear (all excited), "I caught a big catfish." He had put it in a basket cage thing to come and tell me about it. After the tournament, we headed down to the dock with him so we could get a picture. Bigger than the one he caught last year! What a great way to end his vacation. he was so excited and thrilled. We'll be taking that meat home and trying our hand at frying catfish!