So we arrived in our main port, which was Petersburg! We met up with the rest of our crew there. Mainly Uncle Todd, Aunt Sonia, and their entire crew. I was so excited about this, because there were a few in their number that I have not met before. It has been while since I had seen them and there had been some marriages and some babies. Our entire group was made up of a total of 46 people. With 20 something people missing, and may I add that they were GREATLY missed. Expecially Nate and Sarah, curse then for having their priorities in order.
We arrived at 3 in the morning so everyone had to make a early morning run to all the places that we were staying spread through-out Petersburg. Some very kind neighbor lent their Expedition to us to use to get to the place we were staying with Aunt Kay and Uncle Bill. It was the nicest thing ever! We were all prepared to walk that mile to the house. It was a very welcome surprise at 3 in the morning. They also let us use the car the entire time we were there which was an awesome bonus.
Anyway the next day we headed out for a picnic and some kayaking. Although it was a little cold and a lot rainy, it was just beautiful.
Here is Jackie, Aunt Kay, Jenny and Jenny preparing some PB&J's.
Haley with the oversized umbrella. She was so cute, and may I say quite the fireball.
Some Kayaking. They sent out the 1st shift and realized that we needed one the the oars we sent out with them. I was suppose to go out and bring it back for Lauren, but by the time I started they were way to far ahead. So I just enjoyed the view. I ended up staying out there until the first group went back and Lauren came out with the recovered oar. I may have been a little bit of a Kayak hog, but I couldn't help it. That place was just so peaceful. I just wanted it to last as long as possible.
Here is Lauren and I. Do you see what I mean about the scenery? Breathtaking right?
I will take this moment to explain why we decided on the Alaskan Adventure: Family Reunion Style. Both of my Grandparents died over a year ago, and they made it clear that they wished that we continue to do family reunions. They felt, and wanted to make sure that we felt, that family is the most important thing, and they wanted us all to stay close. So after my Grandmothers funeral, the siblings got together and talked about where the next family reunion would be. Since my Uncle John doesn't know how much longer they are going to be in Alaska, they decided that we shouldn't waste the opportunity to go there. They also decided that it would be a good way to spend some of the inheritance. So that is how it came to be. These are all the siblings but one, Karen and her family couldn't make it, and they were greatly missed. So there it is. I heard it said far more than a few times, that this was a family reunion that G&G would be proud of.
A big part of the Bringhurst family tradition is the gaming. If you know any of us at all you would know that we are all EXTREMELY competitive. Some don't like to admit it. Some are in denial.... me included (I actually had a moment of clarity when I was watching myself in one of the events that I will explain later), but there it is. So we like to play games.
Our big card game is 'Nerts' and we always have multiple games. I think I played it at least once every night. I would also like to say that even though Lauren kicked my butt one night, I mean REALLY kicked my butt. At the big game night, I won 2 out 2 games, not rounds, games (that is just my bragging (this is something that we Bringhurst's REALLY don't want to admit...but we can be a little....I don't know the right word...I am going with Cocky at times)).
Another big hit was 'California Speed'. It was a really fun game. One morning at our place My Dad and I were playing a game. For some reason it was the funniest game ever and me and my Dad were laughing our heads off. I was crying it was so funny. I think we scared Uncle Bill and Josh though. They were playing Nerts right next to us, and they probably thought we were going crazy.
Here is a serious game of 'Phase 10'.
This is what most of the nights after dinner looked like. Everyone spread out playing games and shooting the breeze. The day was full of activities and the nights were full of good food and hanging out.
A little 'Ultimate Frisbee'. Ryan is flying. There are way more sweet pictures, courtesy of Uncle John, but I just posted my favorite one.
This little guy, Evan, was another one of my favorite shots from the game. He is so cute, and he has the greatest eyes!
This is the 93 pound Halibut that Cousin Wendell caught. Let me explain something real quick. I was signed up to go on this fishing trip, and then last minute backed out. Well Wendell took my spot and he is the only one who caught a fish that they kept. So essentially that would have been my fish. My Dad was reeling in a fish this same size at the same time and the lines got crossed and my Dad's broke, so sad. Wendell just had all the luck.
Here is our Fish Feeding. We had Halibut, Salmon, and Crab. I am not a fish lover, but I did like this. I actually ate Fish the whole time I was in Alaska. There is something different about Fresh Fish.
Here are some pictures of the hanging out. My Cousins Hannah and Ken.
Haley, Melanie, and Lindsie. They put on quite the little talent show for us one night, with the help of Breanna, Evan and Allya. Haley ran the whole show. Evan had some awesome moves. I will always remember the running at each other and spinning around in the 'Hey Soul Sister' song. And Melanie little dance was just about the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life, made even better by the fact that she sang it in her cute little precious voice.
Lauren and Haley hanging out.
Mark the little guy with the greatest smile/laugh in the world!
The fam gathering for a sweet slide show.
Tierney, Breanna, Me, Lindsie, and Lauren.
You knew there had to be a funny one, after you saw the cute one.
Leah, Mark, Me, Lauren, Levi, and Tierney having lunch in town. This was the 'KIDS TABLE', you hear and see correctly, I am at the kids table.
The Hammer Slough at Low Tide.
Ryan and I commandeering Tierney's camera and taking pictures to surprise her later.
Now you need to know that the next 2 posts happen inside the time frame for this post, they were just big moments that just deserved their own post. Next up 'Bears and Eagles'.
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