Family Reunion in Sanford, Texas!!

Our family planned another reunion in Texas since Tyler found out he would be deploying to Afghanistan in February 2019, and since he hadn't been able to come to the reunion in Galveston. Tyler found a large vacation rental home north of Amarillo, Texas, near the town of Sanford, and we all chipped in to help pay for it.

It was the best location for us all coming from different cities. Kent and I were in Houston with the Lees and the Stinsons, and it wasn't too bad of a drive for Garrett and Krystal's family in Kansas, or Tyler and Rachel's family coming from El Paso.

We were there parts of four days before and after new year's day.

There were enough bedrooms for each family and a nice big open space for everyone to gather in.

The lodge was near a stream and a pond, but it was sooooo cold that the water was frozen. We still went out and did some hiking around the property.

  

Throwing rocks onto this frozen pond and trying to crack the ice was a popular activity with the kids!

Kent, Tyler, me, Jason, Russ and Carson. The guys are so bundled up it's hard to tell who is who! I have to confess I didn't think it would be so cold in Texas and I didn't bring a very warm coat.

Couldn't resist putting in this adorable picture of Melody! 

Enjoying some hot chocolate after playing outside.

Carson was thrilled to have some big boys to play swords with, and Adam and Daniel were happy to oblige!

On new year's eve we played some games with the kids. Even little Alexa joined in.

There was also a game for the Dads, with lots of help from their kids.

Rachel led a yoga class one morning.

Lissa brought four 500-piece puzzles and throughout our time there we built all four of them.

Krystal put together a family jeopardy game that was fun and helped us learn more about each other.

A sweet group shot of half of the grandchildren.

I made cinnamon rolls and scrambled eggs on the last day before everyone headed out.

Christian and Melody looking cute in their high chairs.

I didn't see a good picture of Carson in any of the other photos, so thought I'd put in this one of him eating his cinnamon roll.

                             

Sophia and Makayla looking down from the loft area overlooking the main room.

We took some group family photos, too, like the siblings in birth order.

                               The original Carson six.

I made snowmen wall quilts for the daughters and myself and gave them to the girls at the reunion.

These last shots are of each family (or part of the family) as they were leaving from the reunion.

Andrew and Sylvia were already loaded into the car when I took the picture of Tyler and Rachel's family.

The lighting was TERRIBLE--the morning sun was too bright.

Oh well, I tried to get family group photos before we all went our separate ways.

It was a wild and wooly four days, but hopefully we made some good memories and helped the cousins to get to know each other better.

Kent and I were really happy to get a new family photo with everyone in it, which is the photo at the top of our blog. Ready or not, 2019 here we come!