Despain Family Reunion 2008 - Big Horn Mtns.

We just got back from my Family Reunion and now that we are washed, dryed and cleaned for society off the mountain, I want to tell you of all the FUN we had! We met at Arrowhead Lodge on top of the Big Horn Mtns. We stay in rustic cabins and my parents and my Grandpa stayed at the nearby motel. Perfect situation for our clan. As many of you know, a two year old is a walking ball of curiosity and Will was no exception. Wade "roped" him to keep him near the camp. He thought it was so fun.

This is a story. But to make it short - James claimed all the glory of catching this fish in the nearby pond - much to my dismay. (I did NOT want to cook any fish up there this year!) Yes, we all cheered and clapped and praised his big catch - only to find out that it was really cousin Logan's fish and HIS parents should have been cleaning and cooking the bugger! Anyway, Wade was a great Dad and cleaned it up. James, Wade and my Grandpa had a tasty addition to their lunch.

These two pictures are the Father and Son Jousting event introduced this year by my brother, Richard. The Dads are the "Horses" and the sons are the players. On their heads are nylon socks with an uncooked, in the shell, egg. It is tied so the egg stays near the head. They play three rounds of "jousting" with the pool noodles as the swords- trying to break the other players egg. After three running attempts, if the egg isn't broken, it is hand to hand combat on the ground. James and Wade weren't the standing winners, but they sure had fun. All the boys had a good shower after this event! I suggest it to anyone - we loved it!

Due to again, the two year old, this won't be our family Christmas photo, but I had to throw it in. Meredith, my sis in law, made the cutest t-shirts for everyone. Justin and Chrissy missed the reunion this year and hope they can be with us next year.

Erin was one determined stinker! Last year Justin and Michael swam across Sibley Lake and this year Erin wanted to be the winner. Uncle John put up a 25 cent reward for anyone that would do it and Erin (and Kyle too, later) were the winners! Keep in mind that due to the large snowfall this spring, the meltoff is slow and this lake was COLD! Michael didn't even attempt this year. (OK, he was more into fishing than swimming this year) Uncle Johnathan and little William kept her company as she made her swim. Way to go Erin!

The headline of this reunion had to be the mosquitos! They ate my boys alive - layers of deet and all! William has one ear that is larger than the other because of the bites! We had our moments of relief, but the little bugs really took center stage in driving us crazy. I'm sure we all donated MORe than our share of blood this year. We also got to see lots of moose this year. Again, due to the cold, they were lower this year and they came out and strutted their stuff. We love the Wyoming Wildlife!

I learned to NOT ask anyone what time it is, to not ask mom about cut fruit, and to NOT ask Becky about her plans with Johnathan before they decided.

A BIG thank you to Grandpa and Grandma Despain, Grandpa Great and all the siblings for making the effort to come and join in the responsibilities to make these memories. That is what it all comes down to - family and good memories.