The Nufer Family hosted it's first official reunion (aside from wedding reunions) this summer in Orem. The location made it possible for many to attend, and we worked to get a big enough accommodation for the group size. It was a perfect house for the families who stayed there (although the first thing we were told is that the yard was disappointing, but okay...there was a park 1/4 mile away). Our family shared a room together, and we had a bathroom to ourselves with Scott and Maycee's family. There were two main gathering areas, two kitchens, an air hockey table downstairs, and tons of bedrooms.
I prepped myself for the chaos but I won't lie--25 kids in one house is a lot of kids and a lot of chaos. Three days was the perfect amount. It was fun to get to know some of the cousins we had not even met before, and mealtimes were hysterical assembly lines. Natalie was a gem--she planned all the meals and snacks AND shopped for the food despite traveling here by car from Ohio.
Lia is the oldest grandchild, age 14.
Owen enjoyed finding "other little kids" to bounce around with.
Ice breaker games with cousins were a hit.
The first night, each family had 5-7 minutes in the talent/variety show. I was so proud of Kate for singing "Stand" in front of everyone, and Zachary for jamming out on "Monody," which also includes a singing section. I did the OT Rap with all the siblings, surprising Brady who apparently has never heard us do that familiar song written by Rich May. I remember doing it as a kid all the time. Dad read "Hop on Pop" and "Fox in Socks" to all the grandkids that night, too.
The next morning, family pictures were bright and early at 8am. We were in charge of Minute-to-Win-It Games for the family afterward. We were missing quite a few adults, but some were around for several of the activities and I especially loved Eric and Rebecca's enthusiasm. We balanced skittles on a popsicle stick, did a potato poop relay, built marshmallow towers, did the M&M relay, knocked over Red Solo Cups with rubber bands, and my personal favorite--threw cheese balls at heads covered in a shower cap and loads of shaving cream.
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Many of the cousins cooled off at the park and splash pad after lunch. Zac entertained a huge crowd of kids by creating (and putting away) this dam.
That afternoon, we did a Scavenger Hunt on BYU campus: creative clues that four groups chased down and took pictures of before we met at the bookstore.
Brady reminisced the good old days, buying a chocolate milk. Both of us had the (extremely healthy) habit of a cinnamon sugar bagel and chocolate milk almost daily on campus.
Each kid picked out a 25 cent candy pack and gobbled up chocolate covered, cinnamon gummy bears.
Kelsey and Kate were buddies the entire trip.
The next morning, we took off for the hike up Stewart Falls. We were asked to suggest easy to moderate hikes, but I think we were wildly unpopular after suggesting this one. I was told later that easy means 1 mile. I say next time, they can choose (and isn't 1 mile a walk?). We did help a lot with other children and making it there safely, and my immediate family loved it.
Kate, the baby snatcher.
Owen still needs to grow some hiking legs. If there is an option to be carried, he is all over it. As soon as we arrived to the waterfall, he explored and played in the water.
We got back and everyone seemed exhausted. The rooms to play in were closed off for napping adults and my kids were pretty restless, so after dinner, we went to the park. Kate loved the time with cousins, and Zac and Joshua went mini-golfing. I had some lovely one-on-one time with Natalie.
For me, the best part of the reunion was the last evening, talking late into the night with my siblings. We said our final goodbyes early the next morning, and took off for Cory and Kristen's house. I went mountain biking for a few hours with Kristen, and then we went out to eat for lunch at Zupas. It was my last meal for a couple days. Sadly, the vomiting brought to the reunion was wildly contagious, and I spent the afternoon on the way to LA throwing up, and then the entire night. I was okay (although very weak) flying home, but sadly, Kate caught it that night and missed her first day of school. Zac came home sick from school on Tuesday. The barfs affected every single family there and reminded me of the "good old days" when I used to be the one in charge of disinfecting the house anytime a sibling was ill. Luckily, it missed the families we visited--unless they lied to us. We are glad to be done throwing up and back into routines!
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