Sharp Family Reunion

For whatever reason I decided to volunteer to plan my Sharp Family Reunion.  Actually I know the reason.  I thought it would be "good for me" and would help me get back into the "swing of things" since I was still struggling with the accident.  I thought it was best to start with something that I really, really cared about . . . my family.

It kind of worked and kind of didn't.  I spent hours sitting at my computer and hours thinking about it, but I could never formulate a plan or pull all of my thoughts together.  But I finally got everything finalized a few days before it started and my family was awesome and just jumped in to make it all happen. 

I think in the end we were only missing 12-ish people and the little kids definitely take over now.  We started with the Centerville 4th of July Parade.

And then a potluck brunch at Brandt and Kelly's . . . and I think we're starting into some firsts . . . there were left overs . . . like even bacon left overs.  

This is why THANK GOODNESS there are married cousins with no kids yet!  All of the parents and definitely the grandparents are way to old and way too exhausted to play tunnel tag . . . with 4 year olds.   I mean heck . . . we made it to the parade and we're counting that as good.

I planned some "breaks" into every day because it is so hard to be on absolute GO everyday all day.  So we took a break and met at a park later for food and games. 

So here's a fun game . . . litterally the goal is to hit people (kids and all) with large beach balls - there were some rules, but that's what it boiled down to.  I think we only had like 6 kids cry on and off and it was pretty dang funny. 

We have 2 official shaved ice makers in the family.  Who would have known?  Branda and cute little Landon treated everyone to all the shaved ice their heart desired.

And that was the end of Day 1 - Success. 

My girl is 7!

 Say it isn't so . . . she's 7 years old!

And she's a little bit of spunk we couldn't live without. 

Her actual birthday was on a Sunday, the end of our Family Reunion and Ansen had to leave for 9 days that morning.  So we had a family party sans Ansen (and boy was she upset about it . . . many tears were shed).



We talked through the vision of her cake a few days before and I think our "visions" were a little different . . . We were on the same page with the shape and frosting colors and then we went two different directions for the rest. 

BUT we did it her way and she loved it.  Those are some cute little Lego

 girls and pets adorning the top and the frosting was all her.

We did the party the next weekend when we had Banna AND Katie here to help. 

We made some Duck Tape cheer bows, played the first few games inside (since we had another rained out birthday party).  Banna made some gourmet cupcakes . . . key lime, peanut butter brownie, white chocolate raspberry and coconut cream. 

I know, seriously what would I do without my Mom!

The rain finally stopped and the grass dried up enough that we went out and played a few rounds of marshmellow capture the flag.  We (I) could have played another 45 minutes.  It was pretty cute watching all those little girls and their "tactics" or lack thereof.



And last but not least, a little S'mores action.  Originally I was sure I could build a fire in our fire pit without Ansen, and honestly I'm not sure Ansen would have been that much more helpful . . . camping is not our strong suit.  But I chickened out and luckily our neighbor let us borrow their fire pit that you just push the "on" button.  Much better for the outdoor challenged.

I thought it all worked out well, though half way through the bow making I was sweating to death and we didn't even get to all of our planned activities.  Fun, fun little girls!