The Whiting Reunion

Every 2 years my family goes to a Reunion in Arizona. It is held on our families homestead. This isn't a typical family reunion. This is 650 people, acres of land, endless activities, hiking, camping, just an over all good time! I was so happy we could make it this year. I went 2 years ago without Matt. It was so much more fun to share it with him since this was his first chance he could go! We had such a great time as the pictures show...

Porter loved hanging with his boy cousins, getting dirty, finding big sticks, going on the rope swing, hiking, and getting dirty. Yes, Eliza caught a horny toad! All the boys were so jealous!

They had so many fun things planned for the kids. They connected it with things my ancestors did on the homestead. Like washing clothes the old fashion way, making honey and butter, shaving, wrags in their hair for curls, learning how to weave wool, and many more. It was all planned out so well and the kids had so much fun running around doing it all...several times! One of the activities was to dress up in the old fashioned clothes and get your picture taken. We had fun being silly and dressing up. Porter and Eliza sure got a kick out of Lily and her cute outfit.

Then we hiked to a little lake where we went fishing for Crawdads. When I say fishing, I mean tie a rope to a stick and tie some hamburger meat to the end of the rope! Eliza was the first to catch one and loved that she could do it. Just wanted nothing to do with it after she caught it. She really couldn't wait until we let it go back in the water.

Yes there is a Tarantula in that Jar. Yikes!

One night my dad decided to make grilled cheese on his nifty little wood stump stove. It was pretty hilarious because he just kept making them. People were coming by asking for one. I think he ended up making like 60 that night. Once his stump burned he moved inside his Trailer and kept going! He cracks me up. Love this guy!

Our Whiting Homestead is in the mountains of Arizona so it isn't hot. It was actually kind of cold. My great great grandfather homesteaded the land years ago. I loved going to these reunions and I am so glad my kids got the chance too. It is a beautiful place with a definite spirit about it. Its so nice to get away from the world for a few days and just be with family, learning about your heritage.