"Get on the Bus" "Get on the Bus"

Every year, my dad's side of the family gets together for a family reunion. We always do it in the summer because we have many teachers in the family so it makes it easier for everyone to make it. It is usually the hottest weekend of the year and we usually go camping. So lets just say it isn't always the most enjoyable thing a person has ever done.... trying to sleep in a tent when you're sweating to death!

However, this year we lucked out! We decided to have the festivities at Niobrara (near Valentine). There is a lot to do there and it is really pretty. For a minute there, I thought I was back in Utah. This being my first time, I didn't know quite what to expect. This weekend the weather was absolutely beautiful. Hot during the day and cold in the evenings. The only part that bummed me out is that we weren't able to have a fire the first night because of the fire they had in Valentine. But the second night, the owner let us have a fire (we were on private property).

Here are a few pictures of the fun time we had....


The girls having a planning session to figure out what we are going to do.... Canoe or tube down the river. Those that are ambitious canoe and those who want to relax tube. There was no question in my mind... Tube. I didn't want to work to get down the river all day!

Here is everyone fixing dinner. We ate so good that I think I gained about 10 lbs! We ate better than we eat at home. We had chicken tin foil dinners, home made ice cream, peach cobbler, smores and a breakfast that I wish I could have every morning... pancakes, eggs and sausage. YUM!

This is a picture of my bro-in-law, Corey.... You might recognize him from the 1/2 marathon pictures. I just loved his hat and had to take a picture of our "Indiana Jones."

This is my niece, Brianna. Everyone says that she looks like me.... well, duh, she is adorable! Man was it hot during the day! She needed a little relief.


All in all, I would say that this was the best reunion that we've every had. Honestly, I think the weather helped a lot. There were quite a few crazies out there, I must say and that kept it interesting. Since most of the river is on private property, people can drink and have a good old time. There were a lot of people having too good of a time. To go tubing down the river, a bus picks you up in the morning to drop you off at a high point of the river. The people we were camping next to shared the bus with us. They were all in their earlier 20s and there were over 25 of them. One gentlemen on the bus said that they had been drinking since 8 that morning! (It was about 10 am). Needless to say, they were a little rowdy, but they were a lot of fun. When we went to pick up the girls at the next stop, half the bus started chanting "Get on the Bus!" and the other half repeated "Get on the Bus!" This went on for about 5 minutes. Those poor girls were so scared.... but they got on the bus. Then when we got to the river, we all started chanting, "Get off the Bus!" "Get off the Bus!" "Get on the tube!" "Get on the tube!" "Get on the river" "Get on the river" It was hilarious. Good memories.

Next year, I'm in charge of planning the reunion. Any ideas???