Knight Family Reunion 2017

We hosted the family reunion at our house this year and I discovered something about myself.  I like hosting 25 people MUCH more than travelling for 4+4 hours in a cramped car! I usually feel a bit of "vacation depression" as an upcoming trip approaches.  A dream vacation to me is actually staying in my own home with all of my normal responsibilities of cooking and cleaning taken over by someone else :) When a travelling trip approaches I start feeling stressed, want to back out and just stay in the comforts of my own home. Maybe its because I find cleaning my house after everyone leaves a lot more enjoyable than the stress of driving/riding in traffic and packing up all the bags.

We had a great time bowling, floating the river, playing on water slides, golfing, fishing, playing at the splash pad, 4 wheeling and trying to get the grandkids to cooperate for family pictures, eating good food and playing games.  :) I feel grateful for my family and just wish we lived closer so we could get together more often.  My kids were so excited to see their Uncle Jon who flew all the way from Texas, but he appears to be MIA... at least in the photos, due to the kidney stones he was suffering from :(  We were thrilled to see that Baby Owen is being "Promoted to Big Brother" as proclaimed by his shirt.

Our informal family talent show.

Summer School

After Josh went to the store to pick out his very first school backpack he was eager to start school. Alyssa used her persuasive skills to convince him that the all blue backpack was much cooler than the Lightning McQueen one because it came with a water bottle, lunch bag, and pack sack for the same price. 

I agreed to start a session of "summer school" the next day.  Alyssa helped him pick out the perfect "outfit, insisted that she have her hair done up in "paper towel curls" and packed lunches for the 2 of them.  Bright and early (well, at least to me) Joshua came in my room all dressed up to wake me up announcing that it was time for school to begin.  I reminded them that school starts with recess :) and sent them out to play while I set up.

 Alyssa and her friend Lizzie cut out "Number Fish" while Josh practiced his letters with Do-A-Dots.  It makes my heart ache a bit pulling out these preschool supplies knowing that I don't have any more children to use them on after Josh.

 They really got into the "fishing for numbers game and then had fun assembling Sammy the Alphabet Snake.

 Later that day they built this sandcastle outside.

 But later their creativity got out of hand. I wasn't too happy later when I noticed they had brought every clean plastic cup in the house out into the sand box to build some towers!

A Thousand Wild Horses Photoshoot

 We took some snapshots while waiting for our family reunion photoshoot by the river.

 A few weeks prior we had gone to Mack's Inn Playhouse and been put on the spot to "kiss with the passion of a thousand wild horses" once someone leaked that we had recently celebrated our anniversary.  Although I love Jared with more passion than a thousand wild horses - I'm not a fan of public displays of affection.  He brought up the joke again and got me laughing with his attempts to make a move.

I thought some of our cell phone shots turned out amazingly well and am excited to see the professional photos Aunt Tiff. took for us soon!

Bowling FHE

 We took advantage of the summer special at the local bowling alley to go have a fun family night. Unfortunately Rebecca was slaving away washing dishes at her job :(  Joshua almost scored as much as me with his crazy technique- run drop and hope it makes it to the end and Daniel was excited to surpass Jacob!  Jacob's arm surgery definitely took a toll on his bowling luck because he usually beats everyone but Jared.