Happy Birthday Lola!

Good Morning to the beautiful birthday girl!

 

Look who is 2! I can't believe how grown up you are. For your birthday we had a outdoor BBQ with a watermelon theme.

As soon as I put the watermelon out on the table you were asking for some. And as always you were so willing to share with Abby.

 Daddy BBQing on the grill for the 1st time in our new backyard

 Evan and Ivy wishing you a happy birthday

 Here is part of the food. The flies were terrible so we tried to keep it covered most of the time but we had hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, green salad, and of course watermelon.

 Wyatt racing his wiggle bike down the backyard sidewalk

 It's fun to watch because they get going pretty fast and he really has to focus on what he is doing!

 You like the wiggle bike too and demanded a turn once Wyatt got the bike down the ramp.

 We invited your Nali's, Aunties/Uncles, and Cousins. Here you are hangin out with Makaeli.

 You love her so much because she will still carry you around everywhere

 Jump, Jump, Jump. When we ask you how old you are you say two but hold up three fingers. It's too cute.

 Mommy made your cake this year. It is a slice of watermelon. It was a red velvet cake with chocolate whip cream frosting....

 ... it was yummy!

 Make a wish and blow! You know how to blow but were a little shy about the fire.

 Wyatt trying to wait patiently for cake and presents

 You loved your toys and gifts that you got

 But as always your favorites were the shoes!

 You love shoes so much, we bought you 3 pairs and you loved it! We had to try them on once you opened them.

 You got a new baby too,

 Nali man bought you a doodle bear you think it is so cool.

 It is kind of fun for Mom because when I was little I had one too and I loved it.

 This turned out to be a fun toy until the next day you chose to write on your own clothes and face just like your bear. After that it became just a bear and we'll give you the markers back when you can understand a little that the markers stay on the bear!

 After dinner and presents we played a little dodge ball. True to Keith tradition it was intense.

 Your cousins only have one speed when they throw and that is rocket speed. Some of the little kids quit playing because they were scared of getting hit.

Lola you had a great birthday party and I love you so much. I'm so glad you are two and look forward to all the more years I get to watch you grow up.

Keith Family Reunion 2012

Welcome to the Keith Family Reunion 2012!

 Russell's family had a reunion up at Nizhonii camp ground this past weekend, it was so fun to see so many new and old faces.

 Lola trying to open her juice by herself! That's how she does everything these days.

 Wyatt roasting "smarshmellows" for breakfast.

 My mom came with us and was a big help with all the kids.

Lexi, Lola, and My Mom

 Ivy was such a trooper, and the hit of the party.

 Everyone loved her smiling face and attitude!

Jenn and Denny

 Lola and Talia

Some of the kids wanted to make s'mores for breakfast and decided since the "grown ups" wouldn't let them use their fire they'd make one of their own.  

 They almost got away with it, except they had no way to light it. They couldn't figure out why their "flint and steel" (stick and rock) wouldn't create a spark.

Gotch-Ya!

 Hangin Out!

    Autumn and Falon   

 Skyler trying to figure out why the fire wont light! No, we were in excellent hands we had lots of help around camp.

Travis, Clyde, Jennie, and Pearl making Nanaskada for breakfast burritos. Yum!

 Gil was a good supervisor, he made sure we took tons of pictures for Justin and Summer.

 Lola with dirt in her hair, as always.

 I keep trying to convince her that dirt stays on the ground but she just doesn't believe me.

Nali and Ivy keeping warm around the fire

 Evan and Nali-man playing badminton

 Gage, TJ, and Clyde setting up badminton.

 Caleb and Gage reaching for the birdie.

 Talia, and Evan. We had lots of fun games; there was horseshoes, foot-balls, hiking trails, All-Star wiffle ball, etc.

 The food was great, for a snack the kids had watermelon. We gave Lola one and she ate the rind first, and tried to give it to Dad because she didn't like it.....

 Dad helped her turn it around and she enjoyed it much more.

 Ivy, enjoyed eating her toes!

 The kids set up traps for all the deer that were around, they also made forts, and created a live "cut the rope" stage.

 Evan picking flowers for Grandma

 Aubrey, Steve, Kiera, Skyler, Evan and Wyatt making traps for animals

 Grandma and Lola

 With muddie-buddies all over her hands. I think Lola took the cake for most dirty child

 The men being manly! Before we went up they butchered a sheep so we had stew, ribs, etc. Saturday night.
 Gil, Skyler, and Travis

 We had lots of good dough makers, and flippers.

 Dawn-Lynn, Jenn, and Ivy learning how to make dough

 Portia having success....

 ... and not so much!

 I even took a stab at it! I'm getting better at making fry bread but still am a little scared of the grease.

 Gil, Pearl, and Clyde

 Grandpa Keith and his brother Raymond

 Lola LOVES corn!

 All-Star softball; sports in this family are crazy competitive.

 Such is true at the family reunion with a nice of game of wiffle ball.

 Clyde, Skyler, and Travis played on one team,

 Michael was the permanent pitcher

 The other team was Russell, Turner, and Gil. A lot of kids and other players joined as the game went on and as always it got a little intense.

 Oops!

 Bats were flying at Portia and Ivy's head, the wiffle ball was being hit like it was the bottom of the 9th in the world series, and nobody was safe from foul balls!

 Nali-man trying to keep Lola off the field

As always it was great fun, and the winning team: Russell, Turner, and Gil. We had such a great weekend. We spent lots of time around the fire getting to know each other better and swapping old stories and memories. We also had a talent show that consisted of magic, cool dance moves, and some storytelling. As always the food was fabulous, and the weather happened to be pretty great. Thanks so much to all of those who helped make this weekend such a great success. I hope we make it an annual thing.