Catch UP!

Because we are already are in New Zealand and I want to document all that is happening here, I will do a little catch up blog to tell a little something about our Huntzinger Family Reunion in Farmington New Mexico. 

         It started out as a Jenkins family reunion, but now it is basically a reunion for Cecile and Ralph's children and their families. We are graciously hosted in Del and Becky Washburn's lovely home. This is how Becky is related, Cecile's brother Gerald, wife Cleo, was Becky's dad. So Becky is LaVar and all cousin. There home looks like it could be in a magazine. That is until we sweep in with our air mattress and all the stuff!

First there is the creature hunting. This is where Evan, Max and Jacob found the snake hole. 

Then the beautifying, talent sharing, Anna did my toenails and I am not taking it off for a long time. 

And there is the sharing and getting re-aquainted, lots of laughter. Savannah, Aynsley, Anna and Grandad looking on.

And there is bonding. Alyssa, Izzy, Max, Jacob and Evan

Then there is sleep. We all lay our sleeping mattresses and assorted blankets out and sleep. Some sleep outside and enjoy the cool nights of New Mexico.

This picture was taken of Tucker, Izzy and Kate Allen during a walk along the Los Alamos River.

Many adventuresome souls braved the heat and went up into the glade for a hike and to remember old times. Front left Oliver, Izzy, Anna (with the largest piece of petrified wood found!), Katie, Evan and Emmaline. Second row, Tyler, Kendall, Brad with Sabastian, Alyssa, Max, Aynsley, and LaVar. Jacob is in the tree and David and Steve are in the background. All came home with interesting rocks and excited about the finds in the desert.

The MOST looked forward to activity was the .........

WATER FIGHT!

It all starts out with  water ballons and all that are not in the shelter get wet. This year they started using buckets of water. Brad is enjoying LaVar splashing Charlotte.

Little Fayette, Rachel and Greg's youngest, thought being IN a bucket was just fine.

After many were wet, the waterslide was set up and the competition for the longest slide was won this year by Tyler, Justin coming in a very close second.

Emmaline took home the snake that Aynsley and  Evan are admiring.

Terry brought some Lavender taught people to weave a little sachet. Terry is helping Evan and Tammy helping Max. Charlotte is doing her own. With Del and Becky chilling in the lovely smell of lavender.

The auction was a huge success! Thanks to everyone's generous donations of things and others generous buying. Here mom is collecting a piece of fabric, habits die hard. Jacob donated gorgeous pens that he turned on his own lathe, Emmaline made necklaces with Grandma's picture in them, Tyler donated a couple pieces of artwork, there were a few pieces from Grandma's home done a few years ago, shells, necklaces, and other things from Brad. I can't remember them all, it was a great auction though.

These are the original family members. In youngest to oldest order Bret, Brad, Curtis, Terry, Tammy (thanks for the organization of a great family reunion), LaVar and Linda and of course Ralph 96 and Cecile 90 years old whose birthday we were celebrating!

Some came from Utah like Emily and Justin Allen and their family, Curtis and Ruth, Ron and Tammy came from Arizona.

Rachel and Greg and their girls, Naomi and Fayette also from Arizona. Me and Aynsley enjoying their family.

Oliver and his family Tyler and Charlotte, Savannah, Emmaline, and Tucker also from Utah

The DeHarts from San Antonio must have won the distance came with the most amount of people if there was an award for that. Steve, with Katie, Anna, Jacob, Grandpa, Aynsley, Grandma, Evan, Max and Alyssa.
Thanks to all who came and we certainly missed all who were not able to.
We will do this again in 2 years. July or August of 2014! please plan on coming. Love to all of you!