VACATION!
Since Gunnar was 11 months old, his family, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc, have been going to the Frio River every summer! That's 25 years! Pretty fun! I think they took one summer off and rented a houseboat on Amistad but still! So this year we got to take Monte to the same place Gunnar's parents took him as a baby. They've even stayed at the same campground every year. Such a great tradition! A lot of family couldn't make it this year. As all the cousins get older it's not always possible for everyone to get off work, school etc. There were 14 of us there at one point. These pictures aren't in order and there are a lot of them, it was just so hard to choose! The river was superb this year and a few of the cousins, Reb, Emily, and Joe Todd, (they were there the whole time) made every single float this year! They said that's never been done that they can remember!
Setting up camp! They've camped at the same location so long they have it down to a science, from lights and tents, to food and sleeping arrangements! We ate GREAT food, played 300 hands of spades, learned and played Rook, discussed sports, politics, and funny youtube videos, went shopping, walked to the office for Wifi, and took turns holding Monte!
Joe and Aunt Joni
Reb and Joe ready to float.
Getting a snack from Grandad at the "play place." The "play place" is what they call the spot on the river that's at our campground. It's the perfect place to hang out for all ages! There's deep water, little rapids, a huge tree and rope swing, and a really shallow spot for chairs all in one small area.
Cousins with Mimi...missing several
It's a tradition to take a cousin picture, lined up by age, in the road every year. Sometimes they leave gaps if people are missing. This year everyone missing was older than Gunnar so no "gaps" so to speak. It is fun to look back and see how they have all changed and grown from year to year. Mimi always brings photo albums of the past years for everyone to look at.
The originals
With the "add on" and next generation, Monte and me.
The three professional river rats! They floated every float this year!
Hammocks were a popular past time this year. Monte liked the pattern.
Monte's first time in the river! He kicked and kicked!!
"What is that thing?!"
Mimi and Aunt Joni
He seems to take after me and Uncle Reb and loves water!
Hanging out with Em!
I think we're going to start a new Sullenger tradition and take a yearly family picture at the play place
It's hard to get a good pic with a baby. There might have been a few outtakes!
Monte loving the river with Annie and Grandad!
All tuckered out from playing in the river! (in his AWESOME onsie from Aunt Sara & Uncle Wyatt)
The cooks!
We love Mimi!
Playing with Annie
So pretty! (well minus all our chairs!)
So I've heard a story of a long time rivalry between these two! I believed it when I saw Joe pick up and dump Ann into the river!
The Sullenger "kids"!
Mimi with one of her Great-Grandsons!
Getting ready!
Floatin'
Ready for the river!!
Enjoying time with Grandad
So serious...
One day I had caked sunscreen on him when we took him to the river earlier in the afternoon so I really wanted to give him a bath and wash it all off but there were no bathtubs there. We improvised by using an ice chest. He loved it although he was almost too big for it, his head was kinda squished up in one corner. We could also bathe him outside that way where it was hot because it was freezing inside the cabins.
He was a fan!
Love that smile!
Mary put him to sleep several evenings.
Gunnar had the idea to lay him like this and he loved it! He could see the water and rocks but be out of the water.
The Ethridge girls!
Family time!
Hanging out with Uncle!
Snacking with Daddy!
The original Ethridge girls!
Seems like an awesome place to take a nap to me!!
Reb brought his GoPro and got some fun videos and pics!
Joe and Reb like the floaties while Emily and I still prefer tubes. The jury's still out on which one is actually better!
At the end of a longer float just waiting for our ride. Gunnar and I would leave Monte with whoever didn't want to float, mainly Sid and Ann with a bottle or two then go float the river. Monte got to stay in the cabins or shade during the hot part of the day then we'd all go down to the play place in the evenings and hangout. I think they enjoyed babysitting as much as we enjoyed floating!
Take me back! This was a stretch of river on the float we call the "low water crossing." The great thing about this float is that it ends at the "play place" and is a shorter float so it's great to do in the evenings or when you don't want to be on the river for hours! You just float up to "home" and don't need someone to pick you up!
It's more fun to float together!
Cousins!
Reb and I taking on some rapids!
The water was so great! Clear and cold!
Me, Sid, Gunnar, and Reb!
Emily, Joe Mark, Mary, and Reb
Hanging out at the Play Place. Perfect spot to enjoy the river, each other, and a cold drink!
Sid jumping off the Cliff!
Summer fun!
Reb and Joe (and the cooler!!)
I married into such a wonderful family! So fun! They really all love being around each other and value family time! They're been going to the river as a family for 25 years! I grew up without any cousins near my age so marrying into a family with lots of ready made cousins seems so special and wonderful to me! I love watching so many people whom I've come to love and value highly love on my son so much! He is one loved kid!
No comments:
Post a Comment