Family Reunion 2009

Well, another year camping with family is in the history books. Weather was amazing. I hope everybody got outside and did something over the weekend. Just too beautiful to sit indoors, behind a computer, wasting time:) I wish we all had more time together, but back to the harsh reality. I'm pretty sure the kids had a good time. We were the first to arrive, and when the rest of the traveling nomads arrived, the kids found each other, took a couple of seconds to reconnect, and were GONE! They resurfaced a few times when their little bellies caught up with the rest of their perpetual motion bodies, to refuel for another round of running, climbing, laughing, screaming, whatever happened to be the 'fun' thing to do at the time. Pretty sure the adults were enjoying themselves also. Soon after getting camp set, we nonchalantly started to consume park contraband. We drank beer. And a healthy portion at that! Beer seems to help big people relax and put the stresses of life away for awhile. Saturday was a fun filled day. One of my cousin's longtime friend came out to enjoy our controlled chaos and share in the madness. After supper, we had an awards ceremony with different categories. I assigned myself sole judge of the awards, and I tried to include every family in on the awards. There were ten categories, so someone was not going to win, but there were parting consolation prizes for everyone who happens to claim to be attached to the family. I was surprised at how well this event was supported. I thought everyone would just be nice and humor the cousin that thinks this is a good idea, but it appeared to be enjoyed, especially by the young uns'. We handed out little gag gifts along with some candy at the end. Two of the kids were so excited about winning, they bombarded me with new categories for next year's award show, for the rest of the evening. Of course, the categories were things they would apparently win, hands down. Those two tied for the "dirtiest and grubbiest camper" award, and were so thrilled when they received their prize, consisting of a bar of soap and wash cloth. The following day, they were going to make sure they sealed the deal, by telling me they were going to get dirty again today. Oh, I almost forgot one of the most memorable events. My youngest cousin and I, outlasted the rest of the family that night, and stayed up well past our bedtime, sitting around the fire, sipping our contraband, and catching up. Mid conversation, I happen to catch some movement under the picnic table, about ten feet away. At first, it looked like a small dog, but upon further examination, it happens to be a skunk! We tried shooing him, and that didn't really work. I picked up a beer can and tossed it next to him, thinking that would scare him away. No, that just put him on alert, with his tail in the air. We all know what that means! He then moseyed on over to a bag of trash laying on the ground, crawled inside, enjoyed a little family reunion food, and then wandered off. I hope the peppers gave him heartburn, as it did me. I just want to know who invited him. I am pleased to see my family partake of the reunion event. In a stressful economic time, this is a cheap form of entertainment for all. I hope all look forward to next year. See ya campers!