Woodruff Fam Reunion

WOODRUFF FUN FAMILY TIME:

I am going to try to blog one old item with one new to keep myself motivated to update past events.  So here is the first update from the past: The Woodruff Family Reunion  (in April- I know I am late!)

This Reunion was in a great big house on the shores of Lake Anna, VA.  Todd's family always has each family prepare a day of food and an activity.  It always makes for very yummy and fun times -- although I know I leave 10 lbs heavier since it seems like we have 3 homemade desserts each night- leftovers can't be left to the children!!!

Todd's Mom and Dad organized fun trivia and nostalgic old video time:

Elli really just wants the winner candy!

Some of the Aunts helped the kids plant jelly beans and the next morning Suckers had grown!!!!  All the kids were beyond thrilled.  Elli was so super excited to see a sea of suckers (say that 10x fast)!

Sweet Sienna was such a hit with everyone (except for mommy at night - Sienna had difficulty sleeping that week!)-- luckily tons of people were able to help out the zombie mommy, including cousins Karinn, Alexis, and Isabel, Aunt Jamie, and Grampa too!

Surprisingly, all the kids found hours of entertainment just in this awesome sandbox.  

Elli would have stayed out here all day each day if I had let her.

3 toddlers above- Griffy, Izzy, and Elli having a blast!
Not sure where cutie Sawyer was.

FIELD GAMES:  Todd and I organized an afternoon of three-legged racing, balloon relays, and blind cartwheel races.  Highlight: Adults cartwheeling downhill blindfolded and colliding! 

Todd's mom was such a sport and did it too- it was all too hilarious.

Boys:

Girls:

Mom: THE WINNER!

Later on the adults also enjoyed some croquet and bocce ball.

Paddle boating and kayaking was another awesome past time that we enjoyed almost daily.  Sarena, Adam, Kyle, and Todd also enjoyed getting their work out in swimming across the lake in the freezing water!  Amazingly, some of the kids loved swimming despite the cold!

Trevor was playing peek a boo with Elli!

Tyson and Diana organized some fun family games too:  Stuffing as many marshmellows in your mouth as you can and still be able to say chubby bunny is a Tyson kind of game.

2 alliterative phrases to describe this game: Candy Cramming and Changing Craziness

Easter was the week prior- so an egg pinata was genius Diana!

Maybe you shouldn't have bought an indestructible one though, Diana!

And what Woodruff Reunion would be complete without wrestling! 

Not sure how Elli ended up with no clothes on!

Alyson planned a day trip out to Belle Island just south of Richmond, VA.  We hiked in the area and played in the cold river.  Everyone had a blast and it was really serene and beautiful.  I could have stayed out there even longer.  Elliana especially enjoyed throwing sticks and seeing them go down stream.   

Sweet friends: Izzy and Elli

Todd and Adam competed in a triathlon one day (a different entry for that one) and so Sarena and Adam did a mini triathlete for the kids complete with a finish line.

Elli loved that life jacket and wore constantly!

Alyson frolicking to the finish line! So random and great! 

No fear of the cold water here!  

Lots of fun crafts and activities were also planned!  Here is decorate your own cone activity: A huge hit with all the kids of course!  Unlimited supply of candy for creativity sake- count us in!

One of the last nights, the family enjoyed a big marshmallow roast.  I would venture to say that this was Elli's favorite night.  Again I can't recall why she is naked- I think it had something to do with her being wet and me not being able to get her clothes because Sienna was sleeping.  Regardless, she was happy as a clam and she wanted to do roast marshmallows all by her self too. "I help" is how she says she doesn't want you to help.

She was just eating on the marshmallows forever and eventually it was time to stop and go to bed.  You can see by her expression, she was in her own happy world and really didn't feel that stopping was a great choice for her.

 I told her she could have one more bite (up to now she had just been taking little bites trying to draw out the experience so she wouldn't have to go to bed) and then she had to stop.  She looked at me, and I think she could tell I was going to enforce this statement and take away what remained, and so our "too smart for her own good" Elliana proceeded to run towards the door to give herself time to stuff all the marshmallows in her mouth at once as fast as she could.  She was caught, but all the marshmallows were practically devoured.  I had to laugh inside.  I did say one more bite.

Family photo time (whatever happened to the professional pics that were done, anybody know?)

Cousin time:  

Cuties Alexis, Hallie, Karinn, and Jayci in accidentally color coded dresses for church.

Sienna and Emery below- only a few months apart.  

Sienna was still a bit jaundice and Emery is so blonde and fair that they were quite the contrast.  

They didn't really like being posed but they did like each other!

The whole clan after church: although the guys were mad that they had to take this pic, I for one am glad it happened.

Todd and I are both so lucky that we each have families that we love being around so much.  We are so blessed and we really do have so much fun when we are all together.
Can't wait for the next Woodruff Reunion Installment!