Family Bonding Time

I went home to Idaho for the annual Ball Family Reunion extravaganza. I call it an extravaganza because we cram 3 family reunions into one week!

We started the fun out by having a sibling reunion at my parents house in Monetview: rural Idaho. Before I had even arrived, a niece and nephew were riding a four-wheeler and hit a pickup truck in an intersection near my parents home. Kadee (10): the driver got staples in her head, pictured below, as did Ethan (4). Kids: it helps if you do what you're told!

The boys also went on a four-wheeler ride about warm springs, a spring that is about 30 min from home. The kids played in the dirt and in the water of the spring. We had hot dogs and Adam melted the chocolate for our smores, oh the things you can learn in dental school...

Eric's proof of his ride. Taken for Robin Knoke, administrative assistant at Mariani.

The riders: RJ, Larry, Doug, Brian and Eric, Jerry was taking the picture. Some scenery. The blue mountains in the distance are the continential divide.Wesley, Brians boy eating dirt with a stick.
Cameron Cook with some sweet goggles. He wasn't quite sure what was giong on at the moment.There was also lots and lots (27) small children running around the house. It was a fun few days. Everyone was glad to see each other, and more glad to go home! Family: isn't it about time?

This is Liz. She is 1 year old and is awesome. The picture pretty much explains it. Ann: if you make 'em like this, keep them comming.
Friday we had my fathers siblilngs family reunion. We talked, played volleyball, softball, ran races, chatted and had a pie eating contest. Family bonding.

Bailey, my oldest niece (15) eating some pie. I wonder if she won? She should have.

Then on Saturday was my fathers fathers sibling family reunion 'the big ball reunion'. I wasn't able to make it to this one, I was on my way back to Chicago.

At this reunion we have the best food ever: pot luck lunch, lamb chop and BBQ corn for dinner, a snow cone machine, a coke trailer with ambitious pre-teen servers giving away as much soda as possible, volleyball, softball and a whole lot of chewing the fat.

Until next year.