McCleve Reunion

The McCleve Reunion is always one the kids look forward to.  There are so many fun activities available and so many amazing and awesome people that attend.  This was the 4th year at the same location in ShowLow, Arizona.  As my kids have gotten older and better swimmers, the lake is actually something that is more enjoyable than stressful.  They sure have a great time spending on it with the canoes, paddle boats, kayaks and swimming out to the dock.  Tanner brought his fishing pole this year and had fun fishing with Cooper.  They also have some really fun swings.  My kids were so glad that their cousins were there which added to the fun of this reunion.

Johnathan & Cameron

Carter, Cameron, Johnathan & Parker on the paddle boats.

These two were practically inseparable the whole time - Bradley & Cadan.

Parker, Cameron, Ashlyn and Carter jumping off the dock.

Johnathan having fun on the kayak.

Cooper and Tanner giving Bradley a ride.

Johnathan tipping over on the small canoe.

This was the first year where we went back to eating separately.  Luckily the Beck family all ate together, so it was still not too hard to made meals as we took turns.  Cadan, Bradley & Timothy eating together.

Parker

Luann had a really fun game prepared for the first night.  The boys and guys of the family all had fun watching and participating in it.

Late night games - Cadan, Justin Egbert and Bradley having fun playing together.

We got lucky to be able to sleep in a trailer bed each night so we didn't have to set up our tent.  Luckily it is pretty water proof as it rained the following day pretty hard.  Parker, Bradley & Carter getting to bed.  Tanner, Johnathan, Cooper & Cameron slept in the same tent this year and had a lot of fun being without parents.

On Friday we woke up to the horses all over our camp area.  Parker, Carter & Bradley with the horses.

Ashlyn, Carter, Tanner, Uncle Michael & Bradley

Johnathan

There were a lot of baby catfish, tadpoles and crawdads in the water.  The kids enjoyed finding them as Cooper tried to catch every one that would let him - Cooper, Bradley, Parker, Cameron, Carter, Uncle Eric & Cadan.

Cameron, Cooper, Parker, Cadan & Alyssa

Our yearly family picture at the reunion - too bad we didn't pay better attention to making sure we all brought our reunion shirts.  (Carter in blue shirt)

Tanner with a cool crawdad he found.

Bradley & Cadan hanging out on the teeter totter.

Byron and I played horseshoes together.   I wasn't a very good contributor to the team, but we had fun int he process.

Camille decorating our head bands that each family got.

The cut full of the baby catfish.

Byron, Carter, Cadan and I went out on a paddle boat together.  It is always so relaxing on the water!

Camille with her cool duct tape purse - she was in her element with all of the crafts and didn't leave the tables very much to do other things.

Tanner making a duct tape wallet.

After the treasure hunt, Cadan, Alyssa & Bradley picking their loot.

Parker after his treasure hunt.  Below Johnathan & Carter with their stuff also.

Camille with her finished purse - so adorable!  I was very impressed with this craft - it actually wasn't as hard as it looked at first and was fun to make - as I helped a few of my boys make the wallets.

Camille, Byron & Eric putting together a puzzle.

Tanner & Cooper with their water shooters from the fish pond.

Carter, Parker and others on the floating dock.

Carter

Tanner

Alyssa, Camille & Bradley

Byron & Bradley having fun together.

Carter

Camille on the floating dock with many of the cousins close to her age.

Byron, Jeff & Eric having fun together.

Cadan & Bradley being silly!

We got some pretty good downpours on Friday - luckily we had a covered area where we could all hang out.  At one point the wind was blowing so bad that the rain was coming pretty good into the covered area.  It was crazy!  It seems like the rain follows us at the McCleve reunions - I can't really remember a reunion that hasn't had it.

For the talent show Camille sang "I'm Not That Girl" from Wicked.  She did an awesome job!

Cameron & Johnathan playing games at night.

Tanner, Parker & Cooper playing night games.

On Saturday the kids were really excited for the annual auction.  I thought it was so funny how the Beck family all got the front row seats and the kids were so into it.  There were a couple of times when the younger ones tried to bid on items, but luckily we found out before we got too many items:).  We always seem to come away with quite a few things.  This year Byron got a beautiful painting that Uncle Don Smith drew of Grandpa & Grandma McCleve's home while the kids were growing up.  We had to go pretty high to out bid Aunt Nancy and others, but are so glad that we did.  It fits perfectly in our front room.

We always have so much fun reconnecting with so many amazing people.  Byron is in his own element and LOVES visiting with his uncles, aunts and cousins.  I almost don't see him for 3 straight days as he is trying to catch up with so many different people.  We are so blessed to have been born and married into such an awesome family!

On our way home, we stopped at the Monticello picture for a quick break and to take a picture.  What a gorgeous temple with the beautiful sky in the background!