Sunday, August 10, 2008

The Bates Reunion

So I guess I've fallen off the face of the blogging world for a few weeks. That's mostly because we went to Utah, Oregon, and Idaho and got back this week. It was a really fun vacation and we got to see most of the Bates and all of the McBride family members. Thanks to Steph M. and Mom Bates for letting us stay with you! We had a great time!

This is our little family at a lake near McCall, ID where we camped at a church camp for our family reunion. It was a nice little camp with bathrooms and showers, and a big kitchen to prepare everyone's food. The kids actually got brave enough to get in the freezing water. Unfortunately, we all came home with coughs and colds.....those cold temp changes get us every time! Arg. Oh well, it was worth the fun I guess.

So we had a little talent show the night before we left camp. It was fun. I had to do a polynesian dance of course, and my sister Shari did one of her Mexican dances. I love her dress, it's so pretty. She did a really good job.


I think this picture captures most of the family that attended. I think there were about 75 people in attendance for the reunion, and that just covers my mom, siblings, and nieces and nephews. Some were not able to come, and we missed them. It was fun though.

Mom Bates and Lanny.
Marlee and Bryce taking a walk down to the lake.
Logan said his favorite part about camping was helping in the kitchen. Groups of siblings were assigned to cook 1 meal for each day we were there. I think Logan helped with every meal. Thanks to everyone who cheerfully let him stay in the kitchen with you!


Some pics of us waking up in the tent. The nights were FREEZING!! We're use to sleeping in temps of 83 degrees at night. At this campground, it got down to 45 degrees at night. It felt Arctic to us!
Our kids really enjoyed camping, and Bryce and I had a good time too. We all got filthy dirty, but I guess that means we had a good time right? :) We had so much fun, it wore us all out. Logan rarely falls asleep in the car, but on our way back to Grandma Bates' house, the kids slept like this for almost 2 hrs. It was heaven!

So that was our trip! It was a LOT of time in the car, and we're always glad to get back home to our beds, but it was worth all the effort and $$ it took to go. We look forward to the next Bates reunion in two years! Oh, by the way, I'm pregnant. :)

11 comments:

Jen said...

looks like you had tons of fun! you look great in that first picture! And sooooo excited for baby #4!!

Sharlee said...

You're too funny ("by the way...").
We, too, were so glad you guys made the huge effort to be at the reunion. It was so fun to see your family. The blog is helpful but doesn't compare to the real thing. It's fun to see the pictures you took at the reunion (did you check out my Bates Reunion post?). I have a picture of my kids just like the one of your kids in the car sleeping, from every reunion we've been to. It wears them out just about as much as it wears us out I guess. That's a great thing. They will remember it forever. That talent show was amazing. Your family is so talented. If only we had had a real piano....darn.
Hope your colds all go away soon. That's no fun at all!

Brooke Colvin said...

Looks like a fun trip. I bet it was so nice to get out of the heat for a little while. I am so excited for you and and your baby!

NamaMcB said...

Pictures are wonderful. I LOVE CAMPING, and think it is a great way to build family memories without spending too much $. Lucky you to be up in the pines and by a lake!! Hope everyone get feeling better soon! Love ya! Oh PS... can't wait for #4!!!!

Rebecca said...

Did you get a hair cut? You look so cute! Baby!? Congrats!

Justin and Crystal said...

I LOVE your hair! Did you cut it short?! And congrats again on the pregnancy. You look great! Love you.

Trish said...

CONGRATULATIONS! How exciting... still thinkin' you guys should come by for a swim and dinner party! But, maybe you'll want to eat later? I hope you aren't sick. What exciting news!

Kristi said...

You're pregnant?! Congratulations!!!!

Amanda Morgan said...

Fun coincidence, running into you at church in Oregon! (Congrats again on the baby!) It's always so good to see you, even if it's just for a few minutes. I was watching for your car all my drive back to Utah. That would have been too funny! A week after our Oregon trip we did the Vegas-to San Diego-to St. George trip, so we've been burning up some of the same freeway! Hope to run into you again soon!

Caroline said...

So excited to hear you are pregnant! Hope you are feeling okay!

collette said...

Hey Nettie,
I miss ya! It looks like you guys had fun. I still would love to see you in action (Polynesian dancing sounds so cool). Maybe you could come and teach my ward for an Enrichment activity. Love ya!