Kylee's Family Reunion, days 6 and 7

We woke up and went on hike through the lush forests to a beach in Oswald State Park. This was the most peaceful, heavenly part of the trip. I soaked up every minute of the beautiful greenery and I was happy to share it with Russ and Caden (and the rest of the fam)!!
There was a beautiful waterfall on the beach!
Caden finally was brave enough to touch the anemones.
Me and my Pops with Caden. My Pops is the most gentle, loving, patient father!
After the hike in Oswald State Park, we went to Hug Point to walk around the caves there and to walk to the other side of a huge rock (since it was low tide).
After that, Russ was kind enough to take Caden and I out to eat at Pizza 'A Fetta. He is the best husband ever! You have no idea how excited I was. Well, I guess the pic shows it.
Then, he even let me walk over to Bruce's Candy Kitchen one last time just to see if they were making taffy...and they were! At this point, I was already getting sad about leaving the next day.
We had to go back to the beach as a family and play in the waves and sand more. We had the traditional bonfire on the beach to roast smores and starburst.
There was a small freshwater creek leading to the ocean, so we went over there to throw rocks in the water. Then, the boys (old and young) and some girls started building a dam. It turned out really well!
After the kids were in bed, we had the traditional tie exchange. All the men bring ties to trade and then they take turns picking ties. It is a fun tradition.
The next morning, we packed up and drove back to Utah and then back to Colorado. We were so sad to leave because we had such a great time in a great place!

Kylee's Family Reunion, day 5

At my family reunions, we always have plenty of crafts for the kids to do. Here they are making shrinky-dinks. Caden made a school bus with his name on it to put on his back pack for school. My brother-in-law brought his rocket to launch on the grass. The kids LOVED it! However, we learned on the second launch that it isn't a good idea to launch them with trees around...
All the men in the family joined together to try for an extended amount of time to get the rocket out of the tree. They finally got it free one time and then got it stuck on another branch. All the women and kids loved watching it!
We ended the day with a dance party, complete with swing dancing, the macarena and YMCA.

Kylee's Family Reunion, day 4

We took family pics! The last family pic we had of everyone was taken over 6 years ago! Needless to say, it was MUCH needed!After getting a good pic, we had to take a silly pic. We were all about it!
My brother-in-law was entertaining the kids while the photographer took pics. He is a great uncle!
That same uncle and I were helping Caden jump in the waves on the beach after the pics. As you can see, he got some serious air! Thanks, Jared!
Russ had fun boogey boarding. He even rolled over while riding a wave and he tried to ride one on his back. He's got some skills!
We loved jumping in the waves with all the cousins, aunts, uncles, grand parents, etc.
Russ wrote a little love note in the sand. So sweet!
Whenever Grandma is around, there are ice cream cones to be found! The grand kids love this tradition!