Gayle & Ora Bluth Family Reunion 2012
July 5-7
Sacramento Mountain Retreat
Cloudcroft, NM
This summer the boys and I were able to attend the Bluth Family Reunion, thanks to Grandpa King who generously flew to Phoenix to help me drive to New Mexico with my brood. Curtis was up to his ears in his 2 phd classes and summer course for Yavapai College and he couldn't afford to take time off so we had to leave him behind.
This is the 4th Bluth reunion we have held at this camping retreat and we love it! The first evening after dinner, we all gathered for a little family trivia game played Jeopardy style. They originally wanted the oldest represented child from each sibling to play, but since I was nursing Marco at the time that left Aubrey, the youngest of all the cousins, to play for our family. It was a fun game and Aubrey held her own well.
Nathan know his way around this camp. He was self sufficient the whole time. I rarely had to worry about where he was. The little kids pretty much stick to the long sidewalk that runs the length of the camp, riding their plasma cars and scooters. And if you don't find them there, they can be found in the assembly hall or game room playing foosball and air hockey. When I would enter the cafeteria for meals, I would find Nathan already seated with his tray of food chowing down with the other big boys. I was fun to see him enjoying all his second cousins.
Bracky had a great time too, but he stuck with me more than Nate did. A few time he ventured off to hang with the big kid crowd and he even managed to claim one of the plasma cars from time to time. But he mostly stayed close to me, Grandma, or Grandpa. One afternoon, the whole gang gathered at the b-ball courts to watch some Bluth family ball games. After about 10-15 minutes I noticed that Bracken wasn't with the mess of kids playing on the back half of the court. Grandpa offered to look for Brack and he found him sitting on the stoop of our cabin all by himself, poor guy. Brack didn't seem too worried yet, he figured someone would find him eventually.
Marco was as cute as ever. Grandma, Grandpa and Aubrey especially enjoyed getting to know him a little better. Marco also got to meet Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Bluth which was really special.
All day long kids rode the cars gone this sidewalk. There were 6 plasma cars and at least 20 kids that wanted turns which meant constant traffic starting at 7am and going till dark.
The kids didn't even mind the long trek back up the hill. Every child slept well because they were worn out from all their playing.
Every afternoon around 2 pm the clouds would gather and start to pour out rain. On one of the days the boys and I shared our love of balloon swords with the other kids to help pass the time in doors. They were of course a big hit. Mom and I worked as a team to meet the high demand, she pumped them and I shaped them. I'm not sure how many we made in total but I do know my fingers were SORE!
Nathan's favorite buddy that he practically stalked, was Max. Max is a year older than Nate and he seemed to really enjoy Nathan as well. Nathan wanted to do everything with Max. He even wanted to eat the same foods as Max. At breakfast one morning, I asked Nate what he wanted on his tray to which he replied "I want to eat the same stuff Max has." So we glanced at Max's tray, put the same combo of food on Nate's tray, and he snarfed his food down so he could be done and ready to play with Max.
Every reunion we get a giant group picture to document who was there and how the family has changed. This year we all had matching shirts with the family crest on them.
The biggest change this reunion from the last one 2 years ago, is all the babies that have been born, 8 in total.
I'm not sure how much longer my grandparents will be around but I am very grateful I was able to attend this latest reunion to savor the family and legacy these two people have established. I sure do love them. Here's hoping they will still be around to enjoy the next reunion in 2014!
