Waldo Lake Family Reunion 2018

We're home from our 6 day trip to Waldo Lake.  The air cleared up a fair bit after the beginning of our visit.  We spent time on the lakeside visiting with family while enjoying the view of the lake and of the family and other's enjoying the water.

We carried our folding camp chairs and my crochet project and just relaxed and enjoyed the view.. it is really beautiful.

I zoomed in and didn't realize until I downloaded the photos onto my computer - but it's my own SIL D'Ann out on the island with one of her grandsons.. exploring the rock fort and the rocky shore.

Down on the beach my brother's daughter and DILs had set up "camp" on the beach with a shade umbrella and chairs and all while they kept eagle eyes on their children as they played in the sand and swam.

It was such an odd year for us as we usually have our 32 foot trailer set up, but this year commuted from our hotel in Oakridge each day.  I had taken my swim gear up with me but to be honest I could not convince myself to dress down for swimming and then dry off and get re-dressed in the public outhouse!  So... I watched from the sidelines.  

It was fun to see people trying to learn to use paddle-boards.  :-)

Someone had gone to great trouble to build this rock tower sculpture on the edge of the island.  I'm pleased that no child felt the urge to topple it.  I wonder if it will last through the winter?

Looking up from our perch to admire the long needle pine branches and pinecones.

A wispy evergreen.. I'm not sure what variety it is.  Ideas?

An old branch sticking up out of the water's edge.. I daydreamed that it was the Waldo Lake monster.

My nephew Josh took his two little daughters out for a kayak ride and they learned how to paddle.

Josh is such a good daddy!  They have 3 girls, the youngest was with her mommy on the beach.

I worked on the little blanket I'm making for my brother's youngest daughter's month old baby boy.  She now lives in Indianapolis so could not join us this year. 

Two of the grandchildren were frog catching.  

Found one!

So, this was our year of visiting around camp and on the lakeside.  :-)

One of my nephew's sons asked me which was my favorite Star Wars characters and I told him Princess Leia - and soon he handed me a finger puppet he'd drawn and made for me.  Sweet!

My little grandniece tossing pinecones into the fire.  :-)

An impromptu "kids on a log" occurred, so camera's were grabbed and photos taken.

This young lady is a natural born organizer.  :-)

All the kids at camp minus two older brothers who were elsewhere.

Such a great bunch of kids!

A birthday celebration happened.. a handmade Death Star pinata was filled with candy and ready to hang.. and Josh had written a story in Star Wars fashion to be read.. balloons and banners were hung.

I hope you can read this, it's so clever and cute.  You can click on the image to get a bigger version if you can't read it.

My job is to organize a family group photo each year.  I take it very seriously and much gathering of extended family is accomplished.  TA-DAH!

Then it was time to head down the mountain for the last time of the week.  I traditionally take a photo of Diamond Peak on the last drive down.  

My brother's daughter's husband Andrew took the photo below - it's sunset from the viewpoint on the east side of the bay and he manages to get the island in the shot.  Isn't it wonderful?

We spent a last night in the hotel, then packed up and headed home.  I'm glad we could spend time with my older sister and brother and many of my brother's kids and grandkids.  This has been a busy month for me!  Autumn will be here before you know it.  Have a happy week.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

Click HERE to see photo journals of our family reunion campouts over the years.