Family Reunion and Garrett's 4th Birthday

We returned from Colorado on a Sunday and left that Tuesday, by car, for Ohio. My grandfather was celebrating a birthday and we were having a family reunion.

Picnicking somewhere along the way.


Fishing with the cool new lightening poll grandma got him.Tired baby girl needed a nap.

First of many fish (all small, but G didn't care)Summer loved exploring.
Brad and Garrett on the boat on the pond. I have many fond memories of both the pond and the boat growing up.
More exploring for Summer, who did NOT like the boat.
Very tired boy after day 1. Camping was fun!
Coloring to pass the time before his birthday party.

Summer liked to color too.Wrinkle nose. Silly girl.
"Transformers!!"

Birthday balloons are always a hit
Awesome cake my mom had made for him.
Birthday hats were a hit.
Garrett and his great-grandpa.
Blowing out the candles.
Balloon-e needed a hat too!

Smores at the camp fire that evening. Garrett later decided that he would pass on the marshmellows and crackers and JUST eat the chocolate!
Day 2: Lots of swimming and playing in the mud


Summer and I (and the Oh Snap, my best purchase EVER!)

Playing with his bubble gun with assorted montes cousins :-)My cousins :-)

Grandpa's cake
Summer reading with cousin Ann at bed time :-)


Great fun was had by all, even though the mosquitoes were HORRIBLE. Garrett really enjoyed his party even though none of his usual friends were there. I enjoyed no phone/internet interruption and just being outside with my family, sharing fishing with Garrett, etc. The dogs REALLY didn't enjoy the great outdoors, poor Aspen was looking for an A/C'd bed after the first day. It was soooo good to get home though. Even though on our first night home, the transformer in our front yard IMPLODED and we had no power for several hours. Thankfully our electric utility is the bomb and had a new transformer in within 2 hours, even though it was a holiday weekend. Now its back to the grind!