My youngest brother, Aaron, came home from his 2-year LDS mission to Jacksonville, FL and so we headed to the Sea-Tac airport to greet him. This was followed by a 5-day camping family reunion at Manchester State Park in Port Orchard, WA where my parents lived for 32 years. But since my parents don't own a home there anymore, we ended up camping. It worked out great for us because we had just bought this camping trailer and were anxious to try it out:
So first stop was the airport and Aaron's flight was late so we did some waiting:
(Emily, Brooke, Ginger, Scott)
And waiting...
(Adam, Rusty, and Jon. I think Rusty is saying something about "gooey")
And a bit more of waiting!
(Kaylyn, Austin on Rusty, Ashlyn, and Ashley)
And then Aaron was FINALLY the last one off! My parents flew in from the Missionary Training Center just before Aaron arrived. Senior missionaries have a lot more flexibility and so they received permission to leave the MTC early to greet Aaron home before heading to Ukraine for their mission:
Then to camp for 5 nights. Do you wonder how Port Orchard gets so gorgeous and green?
It's like walking through a magical green land!
And then Aaron was FINALLY the last one off! My parents flew in from the Missionary Training Center just before Aaron arrived. Senior missionaries have a lot more flexibility and so they received permission to leave the MTC early to greet Aaron home before heading to Ukraine for their mission:
Then to camp for 5 nights. Do you wonder how Port Orchard gets so gorgeous and green?
It's like walking through a magical green land!
Luke with his nieces:
Fortunately, we started out with some beautiful weather. Here is David and Mike on the Puget Sound:
Hunting for starfish and crabs:
They were not disappointed! Adam and a starfish:
Nicholas and the beautiful sparkling water:
Crab hunting:
Nicholas, Anna, Spencer:
Brit, Rusty, Mike, and Adam playing a rousing game of volleyball:
How could we be bored while watching the rousing volleyball game?
David much prefers the water spicket:
Aaron and Jon actually look quite alike, but if only Jon would give me a nice smile:
C'mon Jon, you can do it!
Now try one with your eyes open!
Fine - we'll throw in dad and Rusty too:
Robert, Spencer, Anna, Ashley, David, Naomi and Brooke riding the Bremerton ferry to Seattle:
We're in Seattle - now what?! That's quite a line-up of Terry cousins and aunts and uncles!
This Destroyer just stopped it's tours for the day, so we'll just pose in front of it (even though we're missing about 15 people in this picture):
And after a lot of walking around Seattle it's back to the campfire:
And Uncle Luke is pitching the ball to the little kiddies:
Aunt Lauren is helping bat a little bit too:
Now Austin wants to hit:
Cousin buddies! Anna, Brooke and Ashlyn:
Too cute David:
So if you're still wondering why Port Orchard is so green and gorgeous it's because of all the RAIN. And we got tired of the rain so we headed to the church building to play and eat:
In fact, my family was the only one who stuck it out at the campground the last 2 nights due to the rain (we were the only ones with a trailer too). Everyone else bailed and headed to friends or other relatives homes.
Ginger and some kiddies:
And more eating:
Rachel, Lauren, Mike and Kent:
Mike, Kent, and LaRene:
And another meal... David, Kate, Zach, and Nicholas:
And MORE eating!
We did actually go bowling inbetween meals, but no pictures to document it.
Handsome Luke:
And a dark picture of Mike:
That's what I get for sending Zach around with the camera without making sure the flash was on.
And yes, I'm still eating!
Finally, when all the food was consumed, it was time to pack up and head home. Brooke helping Nanee pack her tent:
Really, the timing of the 2-week gap between missionaries coming and going couldn't have been better! We had 34 of my 40 siblings, spouses, nieces, nephews and my parents. So I think Aaron was sufficiently welcomed home and now he's off to BYU. And I'm sure my parents will love serving in Ukraine for 1 1/2 years. I'm so proud of all of them!
Fortunately, we started out with some beautiful weather. Here is David and Mike on the Puget Sound:
Hunting for starfish and crabs:
They were not disappointed! Adam and a starfish:
Nicholas and the beautiful sparkling water:
Crab hunting:
Nicholas, Anna, Spencer:
Brit, Rusty, Mike, and Adam playing a rousing game of volleyball:
How could we be bored while watching the rousing volleyball game?
David much prefers the water spicket:
Aaron and Jon actually look quite alike, but if only Jon would give me a nice smile:
C'mon Jon, you can do it!
Now try one with your eyes open!
Fine - we'll throw in dad and Rusty too:
Robert, Spencer, Anna, Ashley, David, Naomi and Brooke riding the Bremerton ferry to Seattle:
We're in Seattle - now what?! That's quite a line-up of Terry cousins and aunts and uncles!
This Destroyer just stopped it's tours for the day, so we'll just pose in front of it (even though we're missing about 15 people in this picture):
And after a lot of walking around Seattle it's back to the campfire:
And Uncle Luke is pitching the ball to the little kiddies:
Aunt Lauren is helping bat a little bit too:
Now Austin wants to hit:
Cousin buddies! Anna, Brooke and Ashlyn:
Too cute David:
So if you're still wondering why Port Orchard is so green and gorgeous it's because of all the RAIN. And we got tired of the rain so we headed to the church building to play and eat:
In fact, my family was the only one who stuck it out at the campground the last 2 nights due to the rain (we were the only ones with a trailer too). Everyone else bailed and headed to friends or other relatives homes.Ginger and some kiddies:
And more eating:
Rachel, Lauren, Mike and Kent:
Mike, Kent, and LaRene:
And another meal... David, Kate, Zach, and Nicholas:
And MORE eating!
We did actually go bowling inbetween meals, but no pictures to document it.
Handsome Luke:
And a dark picture of Mike:
That's what I get for sending Zach around with the camera without making sure the flash was on.
And yes, I'm still eating!
Finally, when all the food was consumed, it was time to pack up and head home. Brooke helping Nanee pack her tent:
Really, the timing of the 2-week gap between missionaries coming and going couldn't have been better! We had 34 of my 40 siblings, spouses, nieces, nephews and my parents. So I think Aaron was sufficiently welcomed home and now he's off to BYU. And I'm sure my parents will love serving in Ukraine for 1 1/2 years. I'm so proud of all of them!
