Wild Weekend!

I love the Erickson reunion! This one was even better than usual. Sat. we woke up and gave KateLyn her presents. I can't believe she is 7! It's not possible. She is such a joy to us and we are so grateful for her fun, sweet, and spunky spirit! She was so excited to receive a new bike and she especially liked the basket we bought to go with it. She has always wanted a bike basket! She also got a Littlest Pet Shop house and a cute little baby doll from us. We let her try her stuff out and then we headed to Wyoming with no spare room left in the van. We really need a trailer or something!

When we got to the camp site the silent auction was already in swing. This reunion is the Kay and Delsa Erickson reunion which are my dad's parents. They are great. Even though I am 30, they are only in their early 70's. They have always been hip, young grandparents. My Grandma has had some health setbacks recently but they still go 100 mph. This year we held a silent auction for my Dad's cousin who was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. It was awesome. People donated services (like haircuts, sewing time and photography gc's) and new items like Dutch ovens, shirts, scrapbook stuff, signs, etc. They also donated homemade goods like my Aunt Alice's famous pickles, Grandma's homemade taffy and fudge, etc. It was a huge hit! Between my Grandparent's 7 kids, and all us grandkids we raised over $1500 that day, plus it was fun trying to outbid each other! Shopping+camping=tons of fun! Amy's kids bid on a few things without her knowledge so that was funny when my aunt Heidi read their names as winners. The auction gave the reunion such a positive energy. People were nicer to each other than usual. (we are a family that LOVES to tease(harrass) each other)

We had a pinata for Kate. She loved that. My cousin had brought rappeling gear and we hooked the spongebob pinata to a giant bungy. Man, that old sponge FLEW! The kids really enjoyed it all.

That night my cousin Nick smoked a bunch of different meat in a big smoker that they have. It was HEAVENLY! We eat so dang well there! Everyone tries to outdo each other. The evening wasn't complete without my two brothers having a little wrastling match. :o Kendall had the nerve to take Zane's chair. The horror! I sure wish I would have got a picture of that. My mom was horrified but I believe my dad was egging them on.

Sunday morning we had a yummy camp breakfast! My kids love that the most. We always have a little church meeting up there. I am sure it's not sanctioned but it makes us feel better for missing our meetings. I love to hear my grandparents speak to us all. They love each of us and they have always taught us to love the Gospel. They are great! Zane said a few words about his upcoming mission plans. He looked a little sad that day. He's going to have a lot of changes really quickly.

My cousins wife Jeralyn put together a sawdust treasure hunt. The kids loved digging through the sawdust for jewelry, candy, glosticks, coins, and lots more. They were good to each other and made sure everyone got a bunch.

My stomach hurt from laughing so hard Sunday night. We had a home movie night! We played home movies of all of us when we were younger.(powered by a generator shown on a big sheet)What a riot! I cringe when I think of all of the 80's hair I saw on those videos. :o

Zachy was so difficult Saturday night (we ended up going out to my mom's at 1:00 am) that we decided to go home Sunday night instead of staying until Monday for the bike jumping. Several years ago my cousin Nick started a tradition of jumping bikes into Cottonwood Lake. Every year the jump gets bigger and scarier. We get more and more spectators every year. It's funny. We wanted to be there but I needed a few hours of sleep more.

If you have made it this far, CONGRATS! It's been a long one. :) The week is going fast already. Have a great one!