ERICKSON FAMILY REUNION 2016

WE CAME, WE CAMPED, WE DIDN'T DIE! HALLELUJAH!

 Erickson Reunion 2016

July 13-16 was our annual Erickson Reunion.  This year, despite lots of complaining from many family members, it was decided that we would go camping up at Humphrey, Idaho.  This is probably Grandpa John's favorite place in the world, so even though hardly anyone wanted to camp - everyone wanted to do something special for Grandpa Erickson.  Looking back now I have no idea why I didn't just send Jed with the kids and stay home with Dallin??!!   I can't believe I took a 2 month old camping... obviously I didn't think that one through.  Anyway, the first day everyone assembled at Grandma & Grandpa Erickson's house to do some service outside for them.  Giant piles of rock had been delivered and we made some new flower beds and filled the old ones with the rocks.  A big surprise (not really) nephew Josh disappeared from the work to shoot something.  I can't remember what it was, but all the little kids wanted to see.  Panels were also put up to take the place of falling apart fence in the horse pasture.  The littler kids also helped out by picking raspberries.  I went over to check on them and started snacking on raspberries.  McKenna said, "Sorry the rule here is eat one and be done!"  They were very focused.  Other things that were done: a new mailbox put together and installed, a firepit relocated, flower beds weeded, and flowers planted.  It was nice to be able to do something for John and Coleen since they do so much for all of us.

We stayed one night at G&G's house and then the next morning we drove up to Humphrey.  Humphrey isn't very far away, but it was nice to feel like you were out in the middle of nowhere far far away from civilization.  Getting away from "life" into the outdoors always makes me feel energized and even more grateful.  Within a few hours of getting to Humphrey, Bennett was driving Isaac around on the razor and was going to fast on a corner and they rolled.  The razor came down right on Isaac's foot and broke it.  So they came back to camp and Isaac had to be taken straight to get it checked out.  Jed was asked to go with them since he would know what to do.  So they were gone for the majority of the day.  The kids and I (with Dallin in the ergo) hiked up a hill at some point during the day.  It was a pretty view.

The Berrys and Andersens were nice enough to let everyone shoot their guns.  Matt was so nice to all the kids explaining what to do.  It is weird that he and my kids are cousins rather then he being an uncle!!!  Grandpa Erickson had to wear his oxygen quite a bit at the higher altitude.  He started carrying oxygen this year and it has taken him a long time to get used to wearing it in front of people.

Aunt Michelle was so prepared with fun activities and games.  She brought a whole bunch of rubber duckies and we did a duck race down the creek.  The kids played softball, had a fishing game, sack races, painting, and way too many unlimited fizzy drinks!

Gini brought a fun game - I can't remember what it was called or much of the rules - but basically you have a cup of water on your head that can leak down on you if the right stick gets pulled.  Kasen thought it was hilarious.  There was a bit of warm sun in the afternoon on the second day so the kids waded in the creek.

The kids roamed around.  They hiked around in little groups quite a bit.  Others did horse riding, but we never got a turn.  The weather up in Humphrey changed every hour or so.  It would get overcast and cold and then hot and sunny the next.

We bought a tent and all new sleeping bags for everyone for the reunion.  I figured it was all good things to have from a preparedness standpoint.  I was really worried Dallin would get too cold during the night because everyone that had stayed the previous night said it was freezing.  So I snuggled him in my sleeping bag with me, but then I was so nervous I'd pull blankets over his head or roll on him that I didn't hardly sleep at all.  It did get cold, but once the sun rose that tent was a boiling hotspot!  Everyone was dripping sweat by the time they woke up.

We only camped one night - which was not worth it - by the time you put up the tent and unload everything you need to camp for at least two nights.  We stayed for part of the next day and then went back to the homestead.  We had a big dinner and ice cream.  One hilarious thing that happened during dinner was that Megan walked up to Matt and stood next to him patting his butt.  It took her a couple of pats and then she realized it wasn't Jake and started freaking out.  It was so funny because she was going crazy.  haha.  The kids played until dark and then we drove down to Jake's house and stayed there so we could head home the next day.

Before everyone left though, John drove out his red tractor and everyone took pictures.  It took awhile because Jed was being a bit of an attention hog.

A very nice picture of my boys!  We were thankful for a fun reunion and the chance to celebrate as a family.  John & Coleen are great people for us all to look up to.

The last two pictures are the siblings, and in-laws with John & Coleen... & all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren present with John & Coleen.  Lastly a picture of John & Coleen with their children.  We had a great time together, but I was never so happy to take a shower and sleep in a bed before in my life!  Hopefully we don't camp for the next few reunions... :)