Family Reunion at Paradise Pond 2009

Let me let you in on a little secret known to us a Paradise Pond. (shhhh, it's a secret!) Every year a wonderful extend family gets together to celebrate nothing more than being a family. To say that it is our favorite place to go would be an understatement. I am happy that many memories have already been created and will yet to be created there.

Here are a few of the many interesting things about Paradise Pond and the activities that ensue. Our family is very musically inclined, many of nights you can find us singing (harmony no less), and playing the guitar; this year we were blessed to hear a song written just for Julia and her move to AZ. Dough boys are a definite must and are always served with honey butter. The lake is by far the favorite place to relax; infact this year JT swam across the whole thing! (He's amazing!) Bridge jumping is another huge event to partake in every year, after all its only a 20-25 foot drop depending on the water level. Shooting guns on the property, as well as playing cards, using beads to create figures, volleyball, and eating amazing food are all pastimes. It is truly a peaceful place to be.

This year we were blessed to be able to participate in the local St. Anthony Parade, where my grandparents were the Grand Marshal's. There is always something nostalgic about a small town parade. It was even more memorable this year with almost the whole extend family sitting and dancing on two trailers while throwing candy. Grandma wore a pioneer outfit while Grandpa wore his cowboy hat. (grandma was swooning, just like when she was younger) If your wondering about the awesome hats my sisters and I had on they were in honor of my Grandma who wears these all the time.

The only unfortunate thing that happened was missing the rodeo, which I was looking forward to!(I was talking about it for weeks in advance!) Saturday night, the night of the rodeo, a huge micro burst hit right before we were to go and kicked up a ton of dust. I mean it picked up and blew air mattresses down the road as well as floating toys, tent rain flys, and anything else that wasn't heavy enough. So, we made the decision to not go where all the dust was. :(

It was a truly wonderful and memorable time. So Thank You everyone for making this year so wonderful.