The Smith Reunion was last week and we had the most wonderful time. The reunion started on Tuesday evening but Nate and I drove down on Wednesday morning and got there in time for dinner. It was held at Sunset Bay near Coos Bay, Oregon. It was hot the entire ride down but as soon as we got about 10 minutes away there was lots of cloud cover and fog and it was pretty chilly. The weather wasn't the best for the entire time but we had lots of fun and enjoyed being with family.
We got there and headed to the beach for a few minutes before dinner.
There was a beach volleyball pit near the pavilion where we had dinner and Paige loved digging in the sand. We bought a bucket and shovel the day before at the dollar store and she put it to good use.
Two cute cousins. Carly is about 1 1/2 years younger than Paige but is almost the same height. :)
Uncle Drew gave lots of people rides on his motorcycle after dinner.
We stayed at Bill and Dorie's house that night since we got there in the evening and didn't want to set up our tent. It was fun since Anna and Scott were staying there also so we stayed up for a bit talking with them. Then in the morning Paige got to jump on the tramp with her cousins for a little bit before heading back to the campsite and the cold.
Everyone met in the morning to go on a hike to Shore Acres.
Aaron and Rachel's family tree.
The Smith family tree minus two.
And more hiking pictures.
Gary and Dana family that was in attendance.
We made it to the gardens and looked at all the beautiful flowers.
Then we all headed back and the older girls got together and we had a surprise bridal shower for Tami. The Smith family gave me a surprise bridal shower and it was great way to feel welcome into the family.
We then just enjoyed the the rest of the day. Many times since it was colder outside we went into Dale and Margaret's yurt and just visited with each other.
Before dinner Lena was showing and selling some clothes and Paige went over with Lily and Lylia and was trying on some clothes and loved it.
They love each other. :) Paige loved spending as much time as possible just following Lily and Lylia around and doing whatever they were doing.
We had a big family picture and we also took the Dale Smith family picture.
Then everyone headed to Bastendorff Beach for a bonfire. This was one of my favorite parts of the entire reunion. It was nice and warm to be by a big fire and it was great just to visit with everyone.
She loves her girl cousins.
I LOVE this picture!
Friday morning we headed into Coos Bay and had a track meet in memory of Grandpa Smith who was track coach. Since we were off the beach it was nice and hot and everyone got some sun after being all bundled up after a few days.
We all sang the Star Spangled Banner to start off the events.
The track meet was another one of my favorite parts. It was just a lot of fun full of lots of laughing and smiles.
This game got the most laughs and that is why I have so many pictures.
Ever since Paige saw Hazel she had been begging me to hold her and she finally got to.
Then lots of people went on the field and tried to kick field goals. It was funny to look at these pictures and to see all the faces everyone did.
Paige and Brett had their own little race around the track.
Paige finishing her lap around the track. She convinced Brett to stay with her most of the way when she needed to walk. He would have beat her at the end but stopped short and she passed him at the end. She was pretty proud of herself.
She was so excited to get a medal!
If you look in the pictures everyone got a bib with the Smith star and it was made from muslin since Grandma Smith would use the muslin from flour sacks to make towels and was very thrifty. Also at the end everyone ran/walked around the track in memory of Grandpa Smith.
For the afternoon it was a time that everyone could do what they wanted. Nate, Paige, and I went to Cape Arago. The whole family had gone there when we had not arrive yet so we went and saw all the tide pools.
Lots of sea anemone. Paige wasn't sure about them at first but eventually she poked them with her foot and thought it was funny how they squirted out water. And she did get brave enough to touch some with her finger.
And I was brave enough to hold a hermit crab. It was creepy and crawling but I did it.
Nate convinced Paige to touch a sea anemone that was open under water. They kind of stick to your fingers when you touch them but Paige thought it was pretty cool.
Paige and I were excited to find star fish.
My little poser.
I love my little family!
That evening was the burrito bust. I did not feel well and spent most of the evening laying down in the tent but Nate and Paige enjoyed it.
I saw these pictures after we got home and I just laughed. Look at all those poses and faces. I love my little girl! Nate asked her where she learned to pose like that and she said she taught herself. :)
Before dinner Mike and his boys went crabbing and Dale, Nate, and Paige went over there for a bit and watched and a fisherman gave them this large albacore. Josh watched a video on how to cut it up and they cooked up some seafood in the evening.
Saturday was the last day and it was also the day that the sun decided to come out. We spent the morning on the beach enjoyed the sun and sand and saying goodbye to everyone. Then we got everything cleaned up an we went to Bill and Dorie's house for the rest of the day and stayed the night there. Paige and Riley really hit it off and they were off doing something together the entire evening.
We shot some apples into the bay with a slingshot. It was pretty entertaining to see how far they could get them. It was a nice and relaxing evening filled with lots of stories. We left in the morning and the traffic was pretty bad but we made it home.
The reunion was so much fun. I love the Smith family and I am so grateful that I married into such an amazing family. (The family picture Rachel took).
Until next time....
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