Holdaway Family Reunion 2012

The Holdaway Family Reunion was held July 19-21 at Lincoln State Park. Thursday was spent unpacking, setting up, and greeting family.  Friday was spent at Holiday World.  The only day I got any pictures was Saturday, and even then, I didn't take many.

Kenneth (pictured), Megan (pictured), Preston, and Lauren agreed to play Uno with Gabriel.  They started making up their own rules to the game, but Gabriel still won. 

The nature center is in the basement of the dining hall at the group camp.  We like going in to see what is new and what programs they have going on.  This year they had a bee hive in the nature center, and we got to see the bees do their "dance" to communicate.  You need to ask Grace to show you how bees "dance."  **Wink**

Maria held the rat snake.

Gabriel and Anthony got in a quick game of checkers.

Gabriel pet the rat snake, but didn't get to hold it.

Uncle Ed, Aunt Stacey, and Evie came in the early afternoon Saturday.  Evie was ready for some milk and a nap.

When Dan found out about the snakes in the nature center, we made a return trip.  Grace was feeling more brave this time.

I tried giving Evie a bottle, but she didn't really want to take it from me.

She finally fell asleep while Grandma held her.  Gabriel is so in love with his little cousin.

Aunt Stacey, Papaw, Uncle Brian visited while Evie napped.

I'm not sure what game Gabriel and Uncle Ed were playing, but I'm pretty sure Ed was winning.

Awww . . . after a little snooze, Evie was much happier.

The kids used painter tape, foam shapes, and rubber bands to decorate t-shirts.  Then we sprayed them with bleach water.

Anthony and Andrew decorated shirts.

Gabriel was playing ball with Michael and Mike, so Mommy decorated his shirt.

Joey got into the bleach solution and made his own design.  Unfortunately, Dan thought the design was clever.  Boys will be boys, I suppose.

If there is a screen, Gabriel will find it!  Gabriel watched as James played his DS.

Whitney, the DNR person at the nature center, brought the rat snake out for a "walk" Saturday evening.  She was immediately accosted by our youngest Holdaway cousins.

Maria was a fan of the rat snake.  She pet it and held it at every opportunity.

Grandma got to give Evie her first reunion bath.

Gabriel, Anthony, and Matthew took turns pulling each other around the parking lot in the wagon.

Such a sweet, clean little Evie!

When Whitney with the DNR brought the rat snake out for a "walk," she told us about a campfire on the beach that evening.  While waiting for the campfire to begin, Grace piled sand for a sand castle.

 

Gabriel did the same thing.

If you brought your own supplies, you could make s'mores or roast hot dogs.  Daniel and Joseph roasted marshmallows.

Jeffery, Anthony, Andrew, and Grace roasted marshmallows too.

Saturday night is always the night for music from the Gallagher brothers.  Grace played the cow bell between songs.

Grace, Anthony, and Maria enjoyed the music.

I went to bed while the music was still going on. It was past midnight, and I was tired.  The music was great, but it had been a full day of fun activities.