McKibben Family Reunion Day 1

Half of Garrett's family was already here visiting and on Saturday the 23rd the rest came.  Josh and Tanya and their kids flew in Sat. morning and after Garrett picked them up from the airport, we started our drive out to Lincoln City, where we were having our reunion.  Garrett's other sister Meggin and her family were coming in later that evening. 

Garrett has been trying to persuade his parents to move out to the West Coast (preferrably Oregon) for about the last 5 years or so.  Each time they've come to visit us, they've taken a few days and driven around Oregon trying to find some place that they liked.  Well, on this trip, they actually found a place and bought it.  We were really surprised, but definitely very happy.  They found a place in Yamhill and since we drive through there on the way to the coast, we all wanted to stop and look around.   

This is their new barn.  Everytime we've driven by it on our way to the beach in the past, I've always admired this barn with the quilt squares painted on it.  And what do you know, my in-laws went and bought the barn.  How funny!!

They've also got about 3 acres, that right now is being leased out for growing wheat on it.  But they also have a lot of fruit trees around their house.  This is us looking between the wheat and the fruit trees.

Josh, Maggie and Sydney

Lydia, Alyssa, Sydney and Maggie in front of the wheat.

The kids found a great climbing tree. 

Sydney, Devon and Alyssa

Noah in the tree

Me, Maggie, Alyssa, Sydney, Tanya and Savann

Alyssa, Devon and Caleb

Alex and Alyssa. 

Right next to their property is an LDS chapel.  Now, they just have to walk next door to go to church. 

The kids enjoying the yard.  A great place to make memories. 

Alyssa, Bella, Hannah, Paige, Caleb, Noah and Tanya

This is the outside of the house.  It's a really old house and needs a lot of work, but it's a really nice one level floor plan.  The kitchen had been remodeled a couple of years ago and Georgia fell in love with that.  Here are some pictures that we took of the inside.

 The Butler's Pantry

 Part of the kitchen.  I love the stuff on the wall.

 The dining room, I think.  This house has so much storage space!

 The family room looking into the dining room (on the right)  They are not a big fan of the wood paneling, so I'm not sure what they're going to do with that. 

 The hallway (more storage cupboards on the right)

 Looking into the family room, with fireplace and big windows.

 One of the bedrooms.  There are 4 I think. 

 One of the bathrooms

And looking into the kitchen

This is where we stayed for the week in Lincoln City.  It's called the Castle and it was a cool house. It had 3 levels.   The top floor was the kitchen, dining area, bathroom and living area with a deck and a bbq.  The second level had four bedrooms and the main floor had two bedrooms, laundry room, game room with a pool table, a bathroom and a sauna.  And they had a hot tub out on the patio There were 6 bedrooms and all but two had a queen sized bed and at least one set of bunkbeds, some had two sets of bunkbeds.  And each of the 4 bigger bedrooms each had it's own bathroom.  It was really nice and held all 23 of us comfortably. 

After we figured out where everyone was staying, we hung out for awhile.  This is Bella and Alex and Sydney. 

Alyssa and Maggie

Josh and their new baby Luke

Sweet baby Luke

Georgia, Garrett and Savann

After dinner, most of us headed down to the beach.  Tanya stayed behind so her little ones could go to bed, as did Jake and his two little girls.  So, I put Noah to bed and had Tanya listen for him.

Maggie, Sydney and Alyssa

Devon and Lydia had fun together

Devon and his girls.  (Lydia, Sydney, Maggie, Alyssa, Bella, Paige and Hannah)

The sunset was absolutely georgeous!

Bella's holding her pants way up so they don't get wet. 

Before the Family Reunion

June was a super busy month.  School got out mid-June and starting then, and going to the end of the month and into July, we had family visiting and family reunions.  Since Garrett's parents were on a 6 month mission in Washington, we had planned to have a family reunion here on the Oregon Coast when they were released.  They were released about the 12th or 13th of June.  They spent a few days in Canada and then came down to our house to stay for a week before our reunion started on the 23rd.  They were able to be here for Father's Day, so we had a bbq for Garrett and Jim. 

This is a picture of the cards that Lydia made for both of them--two superheroes that she drew.  One is spiderman and the other is Superman. 

Garrett's sister Savann and her three kids--Sydney, Alyssa and Devon came the next day to hang out with us before the reunion started, too.  During the week, we did some shopping and playing.  Lydia and Alyssa went to our Stake's Activity Girls day long activity.  They had fun together.  They played games and made crafts and went to some classes. 

After that, we took all the kids to the temple.  Maggie and Sydney went to do baptisms for the dead.  While, they were doing that, we went to the new visitor's center.  The whole thing was awesome!  I am amazed at all the displays that they put in there.  It's a small little building, but it is filled with awesome displays. 

Hearing about the prophets

Alyssa and Lydia learning about the Book of Mormon. 

Bella, Devon, Paige and Savann learning about temples.

Noah being silly.

It wouldn't be complete without a picture in front of the Christus.

Beautiful Portland Temple

Grandparents and grandkids

Maggie and Sydney

Afterwards, we decided to go to Bullwinkle's Family Fun Center for dinner and to play.  Noah is at such a fun age, because he had a blast "playing" with all the games, even though we never put any money into the machines. 

Throwing balls

Shooting guns

After he played for awhile, Jim and Georgia took him home and put him to bed for us so that we could stay later and really play. 

Bumper Boats.  Savann was nice enough to go with Bella, since neither Garrett or I wanted to go. 

Paige and Devon

Sydney, Alyssa, Savann, Bella and Maggie

Lydia

Paige and Bella and Savann.  They were all SOAKED when they got off!

Me driving Bella on the go-carts.

Mini Golf

Air Hockey!!

Alyssa rocking Guitar Hero