Family Reunion 2011

Last weekend, we went to my parents to get together with my Dad's side of the family, the Burton (Williamson, Pray and Vitali) family reunion, at my parents house on the lake. There are 19 of us total and we all live in different places. We ALWAYS get together for, at least, a day around Christmas. As we all get older, move, gain more responsibility via jobs, families, etc, it is very hard to manage even around Christmas. So, when we all found a weekend in July to get together, everyone jumped at the chance to mark calendars.

Friday, everyone arrived at their own pace for dinner/desert and a boat ride. However, it was off to bed at a decent hour (at least for our group) in preparation for a fun-filled day on the lake.

Saturday, we got up to a yummy breakfast of blueberry pancakes and sausage courtesy of Hannah and Daddy Brooks.

After breakfast, we got on our swimsuits and headed out to the pool. We spent the day tubing, playing in the pool, eating, playing baggo and teaching Emma to ski (I'll do a separate post about that adventure.). At one point, there were 16 of us "in" the pool (Uncle Bruce counted and since Nicole's feet were in...she was in). My Dad, Uncle Bruce and Travis Pray (who are ALL over 6 ft tall...biiiig boys!) decided to preacher seat into the pool at the same time. It was like a tidal wave and scared the pooh out of Catherine.

Saturday night, we did what we all do best: Eat! We had a traditional southern fish fry with all the fixin's. It was A.MAZ.ING! After a night time boat ride, discussion of Casey Anthony (my opinions in another post), fighting over the last big of what I like to call "the best dessert EVER" (which a dirty diaper from C caused me to lose to the oldest Burton, who shall remain nameless Daddy Ben) and lots of laughing, we all headed to bed.

Sunday morning, we ALL went to church with GrandDa and Daddy Ben. We took up TWO full pews. After church, we went to breakfast together and then all headed back to our homes sun-tanned, bellies full and happy. I love my loud, crazy family!

The Meltdown on 30A

In Seaside, FL (where we vacation), there is this place called "Airstream Alley". It is a row of those silver airstream campers from the 70s in front on the town square that house all kinds of fun food and drink places.

One of the places is called "The Meltdown on 30A". Its a gourmet grilled cheese place. Super cute. Super fun. Super yummy!

I really wish that was what this post was about. But it's not...

Catherine has officially hit the "terrible" twos (actually, about 6 months ago). One day, we were on the beach, enjoying the sun and waves. Catherine got mad about something. (About what you ask? I didn't know then and I don't know now). She completely lost it. She screamed, flopped and bowed her back exorcism-style. Her fit was SO bad that a couple sitting near us took it as a cue to run for their lives go up for lunch.

After trying to calm her down a little (and tell her she was in BIG trouble), I grabbed the video camera and does what any good mom would do. Got it on film for proof that she does in fact lose her mind at times.

This "Meltdown on 30A" is not so cute, fun or yummy.

Firecracker Firecracker Boom! Boom! BOOM!

We got home from Florida on Friday night. Saturday, Travis had to go to work (nothing like taking a week off and coming home to the zoo that is his business). The girls and I hung around the house in our PJs all morning. I had to unpack the gazillion bags from vacation. That took about an hour. I started a load of laundry and decided it was time to get out of the house!

Side note: I am VERY lucky that my mom is the best. She kept up with all of our laundry (and her's, dad's, Jon's and Nicole's) the whole time. The only dirty clothes we had were PJs from Thursday night and our clothes from Friday. It was wonderful!

We ran our usual weekend errands, (which included Walmart...with three kids...on Saturday afternoon!). After all that activity, we were pretty whipped (our bodies were still in vacation mode). So, we all took afternoon naps. I "big puffy heart" love afternoon naps!

Saturday night, I cooked spaghetti. (Nothing like laundry, a Walmart trip and cooking dinner to slap you back into reality!) The girls watched a movie together in their room, while Travis and I watched Due Date. We ate popcorn, stayed up too late and loved life!

Sunday, we went to church. After church, we went to lunch with the Brown's. It was pretty hectic (thank-you, Catherine.), but always fun to hang with them! Then, we did a little shopping before yet another afternoon nap. (Did I mention I LOVE naps?)

Sunday evening, we met The Browns, The Hermans, The Dusts, Tara, Aaron, Nicole, Kristen and Abby at Las Fajitas for some yummy Mexican food. (Nothing says "Happy Independence Day" like Mexican food.)

After dinner, we went to watch fireworks at the crosses. We set up camp in a sweet "cabin" in the home depot parking lot. It was very all-American-family-ish. They boys even sat on the porch. We spread out blankets for the kids and snacks. While we waited for hours for it to get dark, the kids ran wild playing tag and just being crazy.

 

When the fireworks started, the kids were all on the blankets, even the babies. But, at the first loud POW, Catherine turned and shot like a tear covered rocket into my lap. She went back and forth between the safety of my lap and Travis's. A few minutes later, Bree came flying over to Rachel. Rachel met her halfway and as she was running back to her seat, she stepped in a pan of red, white and blue rice krispie treats. OOPS!

Sunday night, Emma stayed the night with Claire. So, we met the Browns for breakfast. Afterwards, we went home and played with the girls until it was...(altogether now) TIME FOR AN AFTERNOON NAP! :)

Sunday night, we did the "our little family" thing. We had burgers and chips for dinner, a mini photo shoot in the front yard and played tag. Catherine did not make it until dark. She was down for the count about 8:15. Hannah lasted until about 9, but sat in the back of my car the whole time scared that Travis or Emma were going to "burn her hair off with their loud pops". Emma, professional firework launcher, had a blast lighting them and running her little heart out with her Daddy.

(Don't freak, people. The "fireworks" that we got were kid friendly. And, Travis taught her all the safety rules of lighting fireworks, what to do with duds, etc.)

(If you read this LOOONG boring to everyone but me post, congrats) We had a wonderful, relaxing, fun filled weekend. We are all very blessed to live in a country where we are free to do these things (and dress our kids in too much red, white and blue with bows that are too big) and I, for one, am very grateful for that.