Todd, Catherine, and Family

Clear Creek Ranch

Grandpa

(and Bubby who was there in spirit)

+
6 children and their spouses
+
40 grandchildren and 25 spouses
(not all the grandkids are married)
+
63 great-grandchildren and 1/2 dozen more on the way
=
one heck of a family reunion*

(I stole those stats from my sister's blog - that would've taken me wayyy tooo long to figure out) Now not everyone was there, but the good majority was. It was quite the clan. We missed those who couldn't come! Hopefully, we'll catch them next time.

We had our Richardson Family Reunion up at Clear Creek Ranch at the beginning of August.
It was a beautiful place filled with beautiful family. The Richardson family is filled with good people. One is guaranteed love, laughter, and good food at our reunions. It is always so good to see our extended family. As long as I can remember...even way back before the great grandkids were born....even way back when I was just a kid.... we were having these reunions. They were always a priority for Grandpa and Bubby. Well, their family was always a priority....and so they put on these reunions every two years to strengthen family bonds and make some great memories. And, boy, do we do just that! I know that is one of the reasons why we had such a close family growing up - many reunions and many, many family dinners at my grandparents' home or at the park.

Wes and Zane came across some noodles. And, what does one do with noodles? ....if you're a little boy. Instant Light Sabers!!! Yoda vs. Chewbacca. too funny. What was hysterically funny? ...was the sound that Zane made to show that he was Chewbacca. Wow. That was a previously undiscovered talent of his, but it's out now. I wish I had a sound recording of that one. Silly Zane. Always the entertainer.

At Clear Creek Ranch, there were a few ponds. But, the big one in the middle allowed for swimming and canoeing. So, of course, the children lived there. They couldn't get enough.

Even Todd went for some canoeing one afternoon.

In the middle of the pond, was a big floating slide. Didn't think it could get any better, did you?

The boys played some ball one afternoon.

Cute Jordan posing with the lifejackets.

Weston and Jonathan heading off to play Marbles.

Zane and Grant playing a game.

Sterling, reliving his elementary school days, really enjoyed the marbles. I guess he was quite the pro....back in the day.

We all loved to just sit around and chat with each other. I really do have a wonderful family.

We had this marble game activity because it was a game that our Grandpa Richardson loved to play when he was a kid.

One afternoon, we drove into Zion's National Park and hiked up part of the Narrows. Our little group didn't get too far since we had Weston with us. But, we had a great time and loved the scenery.

The last night we had a watermelon eating contest. Why? Because Grandpa Richardson LOVES watermelon and used to have contests with his boys. So, we relived the moments and did it again, but with a lot more people. It was great. When I leave a reunion, I always feel uplifted after being around such great people. I know...it sounds corny, but it's true. I love that I have always been close to my cousins. They are the best!!!

Zane and Lance were part of the contest.

Way to go boys!

We can't wait for the next one in two years.

Road Trip

On our way to a family reunion up by Zion's National Park, we did some sight-seeing. We stopped at part of the Grand Canyon on the north rim. Then, we took the tour through the Glen Canyon Dam.

Look at the size of those turbines (is that what they were called?).

Weston was "in awe".

It was really neat to be at the bottom of the dam. We walked through it's cool center and saw where the electricity was being harnessed. Cool.

Our Little Fish

....is finally... really in truly.... comfortable in the water (after forgetting over the winter how much fun he had last summer). We had to start over again this summer with getting used to the water and relearning how to swim. His timid, reluctant personality really came out at the beginning of the season. He'd just sit at the top of the waterfall and that was it! But, now that summer is about over, he loves it:). He now swims (again). Hopefully he won't forget for next summer.

Lance Flies to California with "Austin" ??

Lance was going to go to California this summer to spend some time with his grandparents. Last time he went, a cousin from CA joined them for some of the activities. At the last minute, Griffin, wasn't able to join them this time. Lance's grandma had previously offered to let Lance bring a friend with him. But, we didn't think Lance needed to do that when he was going over there to spend time with his family, not a friend. When Griffin couldn't join Lance though, I wondered if it would be nice to have another "kid" to take some of the pressure off of his grandparents. (They always do sooooo much - toooo much - to entertain and spoil the kids when they visit) We decided to surprise them. I told them that I was letting Lance bring a friend "Austin". But, in reality, it was his cousin, Lauren. She lives here in the valley also, but we get busy and they hardly ever get to spend time together. I thought it would be perfect - still family - but yet Lance would have someone his age if Grandma and Grandpa didn't feel like boogey- boarding, etc. Imagine their surprise when Lauren, aka Austin, got off the plane looking like this gangster dude. But, then pulled back the hood and revealed that "he" was their beautiful granddaughter coming to join in the fun. It was great.

Lance had a great time hanging out with his grandparents and Lauren. They kept him busy as usual. From a car show, to the beach, to Knott's Berry Farm. He was spoiled! I hope he knows how lucky he is!!!

When you don't have a baby anymore....

This is what happens when the youngest sibling gets too old that he won't let you dress him up anymore. Sierra and her friend, Jenny, had a great little photo shoot with Cash and dress up clothes.

Desensitization

This is what happens when one has tooooo many scorpians in a household. The kids get desensitized. Pretty soon they stop screaming when they see one. They start catching the scorpians and cutting off their stingers. The kids then play with the scorpians.

Doesn't seem right, does it?!

A "Friend" Reunion - Just Like the Old Days

Years ago....and I mean, YEARS AGO, we lived in a ward where we met some great friends. We all had kids the same ages. We started a tradition of going camping at Apache Lake everyMemorial Day weekend. We had a blast. It was a big ordeal....getting all our equipment from the car - to the boat - to the beach - where we could camp for 3-4 days. We have many wonderful memories doing that for a few years. Then, we got old, and it got to be too much work and it fizzled out. This year, we decided to do it again. But, those of us who stayed overnight did so in the hotel:). Our children are several years older. It was so great to just hang out with everyone again. It really is a great group of friends.

Zane did some seashell collecting on the shore.

Lance coming in on the jet ski.

Weston playing in the water.

Lance gave Wes a short ride. hmmmm. I'm not sure why, but Wes wasn't too fond of it.

Todd dragged around the kids in the tube. Even Wes got on it. Now, that was a big deal. He really surprised me with that one. He grew up a lot this trip.

He even SKIED for the first time ever. Yes, it's a cheater, beginner ski. But, last time, he wouldn't stand up (and that's pretty much all a kid has to do in order to ski on the skimmer). He finally did it. Yes, I bribed him. But, it was worth a toy. He says he'll do it again, so he must've liked it.

Waving "hi' while he skis.

Weston and Cayden had a lot of fun jumping off the boat into the lake. Again, this was a big deal. Last trip, Wes didn't even want to get in the water.

Here's our "old" boys - the now teenagers - that were twoish when we moved in the ward. What a great bunch of boys.

Here's our girls (minus one - Megan - who couldn't come). Sierra, Haley, and Kynlee are lifelong friends.

I want to say this is the new generation, but that's probably not the right word. These are the siblings who, unfortunately, never get to live in the same ward together. But, they are becoming friends just like their older brothers and sisters. l to r: Cayden, Wes, and Avery.

The girls are ready to ride with Claire and her kids being towed behind.

Zane, Sierra, and Jayden look like they are getting whiplash. What do you think?!

Todd and Lance decided to try wakeskating together the first day. It was so much fun. I loved watching them having fun out there "together."

Sierra did a great job wakeboarding!

Zane loves the ski skimmer (the thing Wes rode). But, we told him it was time to move up....to the double skis or the wakeboard. He wasn't very happy about leaving his comfort zone. He chose the double skiis and did a great job. (even though he still wasn't too thrilled about the whole thing:)