Carpenter "Camping" Reunion

For this years Carpenter family reunion, we decided to forgo the cabins and "rough it" in tents and campers in the woods at Dogtown Lake. It was a little too rough for some, but great family enjoyment for others. The kids loved having 5 days to be out of doors, roaming the campground with their cousins. We hiked, biked, played horseshoes, paddled the lake on a canoe, built forts, had a scavenger hunt and enjoyed the evenings around the campfire with smore's and dutch oven deserts.

Everybody loved the water spicket. Aubree and Abbey; Kate

Kate LOVED being outside and hanging out with mommy and daddy.

Grant brought Benton up for a few nights of tent camping. We missed Brittany, who was too pregnant to enjoy the trip.

Visiting in the ramada: (Left to Right) Mark, Rob, Sue, Ray, Rene, Cathy, and Brandon

Sisters: Ava and Lyla; Best cousins: Ella and Ava. Ella caught her first fish all by herself. She loved fishing with Daddy.

Abbey and Aubree; Skylar

Macey, Marlee, and Taryn.

Grandpa Hal, Grandma, and Rochelle. Grandma is the reason this has all come about. We have the reunion every two years in celebration of her birthday! We love you grandma!

My mom's brother Rob and his wife Rene.

Campfire cooks: Dad above and Russ below.

Ella and Ava are looking on, riding the arm of the bench like a horse. Giddy up!

I found Sage and Maya delicately playing in this little grove of Oak trees.

Aaron and Dan had a competition while Aubree and Abbey cheered them on.

Jeff and I proved to be a great team, securing the championship title for 5 rounds.

Kate watched from the side.

Left: The girls after their visit to the "Salon". They took turns laying on a picnic table with their heads hanging over the edge, and washing their hair with shampoo and cold water. Here, they are showing off their fresh new do's. Right: Hydee and Grace.

If you do it to one, you have to do it to the rest of the cousins! Rochelle with Talen, then Flash.

Left: Derrick taking care of some business. Right: Some of the girl cousins keeping warm by the fire.

The older girls: Skylar, Taryn, Jessie, and Macey

Trying out the canoe... or better yet... trying out my girls in the canoe. Yep, they're still too scared.

Left: Ella and Maya were dropped off with me. Here, Ella is looking back out at the canoe that she just disembarked. Right: Kate.

Ella and the canoe.

Cousins in the Rhino

I tried to snap a shot of my mountain-man-husband on the way home (his beard was pretty scruffy)... but it turned out kind of scary. Who knew that such a handsome man could look like this!