The Hazard Chronicles

 As I write this, the last of our extended family is on their way to the airport. It has been a very full week, with everyone from Rachel's side of the family making it up to stay with us as we hosted the Almond reunion. We reconnected. We played. Distant cousins became close friends and we got to showcase the beautiful area where we live. It isn't hard to do in the summer. 

As for activities, I have a ton of pictures to put on here and I'll just caption them instead of trying to write anything. Overall though, I think everyone would agree the reunion was a success. It certainly went smoother than I had predicted, with just the right balance of activity and leisure for people to sort of choose their own adventure. 

Here are the photos, mostly in chronological order but not completely. Have a good week!

Climbing. Not a ton to say here, except it was kind of neat to watch the older kids helping the younger ones. This actually became a theme for a lot of activities that we did, and I was surprised (in a good way) at how much both parties seemed to like this arrangement.

Not a lot of pictures were taken at home, but we definitely spent a good deal of time just "hanging out." BBQs, deck nights, games, conversations, and naps filled in all the time between major activities. The house itself performed nicely, allowing for each family to have a private area, morning/night people to have places to go and talk, and an office for Rachel and Shannon to work from home at odd hours without interruption.

Just a picture of a bunch of people on a swing.

We brought skateboards/roller skates, etc to the park. Another kid came over and "challenged" me to a rollerblade contest. Hey- you can't compete with these old-school dad tricks. It was fun skating with everyone.

Another instance of old helping young. Pretty neat.

These next few are from a hike we did on Tubbs (a walking trail near the CDA resort)

I'll admit this picture turned out better than I expected. I was a little grumpy at the time about trying to get everyone to sit still for it, but I think it was worthwhile as it is one of the few we got of everyone together.

Just playing at the lake. 

Lunch at Dockside (with Gooeys for dessert). Always a priority on lake days

These three formed a little gang that stuck together for most of the reunion

The five of us went to a farmers market in Post Falls. The intention was to catch some live music and do some dancing, but we got there a little too late. Still a beautiful evening though.

The next several pictures are from a day that we spent boating. We had a private beach with a dock that we were able to use as a base for people who were swimming or eating or resting. In the meantime, the boat made several out-and-back trips on lake Pend Orielle.

I like us

Laying on the deck is always nice

The next few are from a park/garden in Spokane where we spent an afternoon. This place is beautiful and one of my favorite local retreats in the city.

Adult date night. The Pentagon is a place that Rach and I go a lot. We brought Shannon here last time she was up, and apparently one of their appetizers has forever changed her relationship with tomatoes.

Mini-vans and sport car convertibles are basically the same thing for these kids

Cedar grove walk. This is one of my favorite places.

Rach's photo bomb

Fairy houses

This is an afternoon we spent at the Wallace house and town. 

There was a punk band that was playing in Wallace and a few of us decided to stay late to see them. It was loud and fun and, in some ways, cathartic (as punk music tends to be). Before the show we were also treated to a pretty cool stoke film for skiing that was made locally. That was unexpected and a nice reminder that the weather will cool off one of these days. It was also entertaining to watch Evelyn and Adrian join the mosh pit. As for me, I enjoyed the music from a little further back.

Just a big picture of all of us on some rocks.

On Sunday afternoon a small contingent of adults went up to Arbor Crest for lunch and to walk around the gardens. This is another place that Rach and I go a lot, and it's nice to share it. Actually, for us, that was a big theme of the reunion- sharing the life we live with other people. Lake stuff, Wallace stuff, restaurants, gardens, hikes...all of these things are pretty routine for us, and I think that is really cool and I am proud to share this kicked-back lifestyle with as many people as are interested in it. We live in a great place.

While we were at Arbor Crest, Grandma stayed home and made pictures with the kids

This picture represents so much hard work from Lindsey. Back story: The Wallace swimming pool requires kids to pass a swimming test to gain access to the deep end of the pool. All of our kids passed on their first try. Technically. But the lifeguards on duty didn't like Lindsey's form, because she actually did most of the swimming under water. She has asked them bluntly- "what do I need to do," and although she has done everything asked of her, they still won't let her in. They told her to keep her head up. She did. They still didn't like it. They told her to make "arm circles" while swimming. She did. They didn't like it. They told her to kick her feet. Same story. We have gone there three or four times now, and Lindsey has yet to pass the test. I think they have it out for her. But she has always kept a good attitude and has been determined that "I'll get it next time." Well, that next time finally happened. See that purple arm band? Ya. She earned that.

Instead of diving for rings, Jackson is making his own with air bubbles. He spent a lot of time learning to do this with Wesley.

Laying on the deck is always nice

Have a great week!