FINALLY! Here's our summer family reunion! I just couldn't not share this experience; it was too awesome. I think the only bad thing about this reunion was that there were WAY too many pictures taken. It has been overwhelming to think of sifting through them to pick out the best/most representative of the experience. But I did it and here it is. This was our first official Tanner family reunion with EVERYONE there (=12 kids, 9 adults):
First things first: location, location, location. This beach house in Lincoln City, OR was our PARADISE! 3 levels, I think it slept 25 people, TVs everywhere (kid heaven!), huge windows overlooking the ocean...with all the right little touches to make it a comfortable stay.
First stop: our beach! Look at these pictures and see the crowds of people NOT on the beach. This was right outside our house and it was so fun to run out and enjoy.
Football games at dusk!
Here's the view from the massive dining table. And a cute baby.
This was SO cute--the Olsons (Meg) made us all a "Tanner Guess Who" game to take home and play to remember all our fun family members.
Line up for Grandpa's famous "Purple Cow" drink!
Another shot of our beautiful view.
Cousin time at the park. So glad Allison had some girls to "hang with."
Gideon just loves Uncle Brian.
Cousin sandwich trying to keep warm at the tide pools.
Campfire, guitar, astronomy lesson by Tom, football game, good times.
What's a family reunion without attempting to get the perfect shot of everyone together? We tried right in front of the ocean, rock groupings on the beach, and then inside. Jack was MUCH happier inside. (Notice how I didn't take the memo seriously to have all white shirts. Oops.)
We celebrated our 9th anniversary while there. Coincidentally, our wedding was the last time our whole family gathered.
We headed off to some sand dunes in Pacific City. Yes, we did all ride in the truck for a moment.
Jacob was in cousin heaven.
Yay, this is my family, all grown up!
This picture looks cool, but I'm actually really lame. This is barely a jump. I tried to be so daring and jump off a dune, but I kept freaking out and dragging my heals at the ledge. This was my most successful attempt.
This kid, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of crazy jumping.
Races!
Our last night we had a party for my dad's birthday! We did "Minute to Win It" games. Brian was the host, as well as a professional get-the-Oreo-from-your-forehead-to-your-mouth guy.
One of the Olson's crazy ideas that turned into something pretty fun was a Flash Mob!! We did it on my parents' anniversary and they loved it so much that my dad requested it for his birthday party. So, for your viewing pleasure...a re-creation of our version of a Flash Mob, complete with very excited kids. It is long, so don't plan to watch it all.
Such fun to help Grandpa open his presents, plus blow out his candles.
And this is what it was all about. Making happy memories with the family. I believe everyone truly had a wonderful time, all in our own respects. I sure loved relaxing with my family in a beautiful place. Thanks Mom & Dad and the rest of the fam for an awesome reunion! We'll never forget it!
We had a very bittersweet happening while we were there. We received word (on my dad's birthday) that my grandpa had peacefully passed away in Utah. What a blessing it was to be together to share our memories of our 95 year old patriarch of the Tanner family.