Reunions are the best!

So the second week in August, my family joined with our far-flung counterparts in one extremely large gathering in the foothills of Mount St Helen's in Washington state.  Ahhhhhh, it was amazing!!!   First off, the  weather was a marvelous contrast to our over 100 degree temperatures at home.  Plus, there was some unbelievable scenery.  You just can't go wrong with a volcano close by!

Here is the view from the Hilltop House, where we enjoyed several delicious meals and had some seriously great entertainment.

I love that I am part of a classy family (even though I would at all say that I am classy).  For our entertainment night, we had so many clever performers singing, dancing, playing piano, violin, and more.  It was really enjoyable. 

Camden was in awe of the alphorns played by Aunt Susie and Uncle Steve.  They vibrated the floor and  definitely made music never before heard by my boy.

 Here is my Grandma Marion and cousin Katherine.  Grandma is largely responsible for making our reunions possible.  I am so glad she was able to meet Camden, even if he was less than thrilled at the opportunity.  And I'm extra glad that we have such a remarkable person, someone I really admire, as our matriarch.  

There were oodles of fantastic and fun people everywhere!  It's really remarkable how everyone I'm related to is great and so enjoyable to be with.  And their kids are well-behaved and funny!

Here is the group that hiked Ape Caves Monday morning - a real LAVA TUBE!   Just about half of our total group.

The Minute-to-Win-It Games - little David stares in awe as Russ and Lisa face off!

 Did I also mention we got to hike up Lava Canyon?  Okay, basically, anything to do with lava is pretty darn cool.  So, to peruse a geologically fascinating, beautifully scenic walk with some of my favorite people ever?  Well, it was pure bliss!  

Don't worry, I made sure to point out to Camden all the remarkable geologically interesting stuff I saw. 

Parts of the river looked like a sweet water ride, but there were plenty of signs warning that hikers wouldn't enjoy falling in the water, unless they wanted to be dead. 

Isabelle, Rhed, Winfield, Silas, Sarah
Here are some fellow hikers.  I love Sarah's outfit (on the far right). 

This suspension bridge was a real adventure.  It was high and it rocked and, looking down between the slats, you could see very far below you.

Here is what the bridge crossed over.  I had Camden in the pack - I wanted to be sure to have both hands free.  Figured bad mom of year award would be mine if I dropped him over the edge on accident.  Of course, maybe I qualify for paranoid mom instead.  :)

Camden loved walking the paths around the lodge.  Certainly the greenery is quite different from our house.  The forest is so amazing there.  

 Camden learned how to climb up the ladder to the play structure there.  At first, he would wait for us to sit him on his bottom to slide down, but then he learned a better way.

The only trouble was when I got distracted for a minute and he climbed up and slid down without me noticing or being there to catch him.  Not so surprisingly, Camden didn't enjoy the face plant into wood mulch.  I felt terrible, too.

But it was a fantastic week.  The whole experience was great, but felt a little ADD.  I'd start talking with one of my cousins, trying to catch up, then Camden would need something and I'd go to him.  When I finished, I'd start chatting with someone else, but then again, Camden would need me.  So, I had lots of five and ten minute chats with lots of people, but few in depth discussions with family members.  But I love my family and it was so enjoyable to spend time with them, especially the ones I rarely get to see!