Summer reunions :)

Ohhhh boy did I neglect my blog for ages! I think I'm so partial about because I wasn't used to the ins and outs of it (I'm still not!) But anyways, here's a quick shortcut and a couple of events over the summer which are both of our family reunions, mine in Canada and Andrew's in Tennessee! And if you're on facebook,... you probably have seen these pictures! Anyways, here's a recap and a clickable thumb to browse thru the pictures! I will be updating this soon about the pregnancy progression so stay tuned!!!


CANADA:

Day 1, Friday, July 3: People started arriving in Brampton, Ontario. We actually missed this day due to work schedules but the family (with extended) introduced each of their families this day with icebreaker activities and such.


Day 2, July 4: FAMILY SURVIVOR! Each clan had representatives in different games and challenges... refer to the album,.. but I think we had most of the first place ribbons *wink* But it was all for good fun and everybody enjoyed their time winners, losers and the sorts :) That night they had a gala, hosted by a family DJ and danced the night away :)


Day 3, July 5 Sunday: People attended their own church services and had picture day! It was great to see how big our families had grown! Each clan went their own ways and continued on with our own "clan" for the remainder of the week. We also went to visit dad's cousin in Scarborough, an opportunity we try to grab when we visit Canada!


Day 4 We celebrated my cousin Leah's graduation from nursing school! A quick lunch then a handful of us went to visit Niagara Falls :)


Day 5 A number of families started heading back home but it didn't mean the fun had to stop. Some of us cousins decided to visit downtown Toronto and "explore". Eaton mall, the sites of Young st. you name it :)


Day 6 Back to reality :(



CANADA


TENNESSEE
Day 1 July 17, Friday Andrew and I drove up to Georgia to spend the night at Gramma Brown's so a 9 hr trip didn't have to take up a whole day


Day 2 We all checked in at Welcome Vally Village, a place where Andrew has their reunion every year for the past 14 years. Everybody arrived this day and hung out and mingled


Day 3 We all planned to hike Benton Falls, it's a great hike.. but not when you're 14 weeks pregnant! Tennessee mountains are beautiful... not when you're nauseated and winding up and down! We enjoyed our time otherwise, but it could've been better for me :) It was a bitter sweet experience, being that it was great being pregnant, but didn't like how it felt.. at the moment anyways :P


Day 4 Andrew and I ventured on our own and went to Chattanooga! Enjoyed Chilhowee mountain, went to High point park and relaxed and enjoyed the perfect 70 degree weather then explored on down to their big mall after. When we got back to the cabins we dressed down and got ready for a couple trips of kayaking down Ocoee River... where Andrew's uncle Ben flipped over worrying about my safety going through this bridge making sure I wouldn't get caught in the current :P


Day 5 9 hour drive back to reality :(



Tennessee Stephenson Reunion!

Fun before the fun

As we gear up to go to Canada, I was emptying my memory card into the computer to make room for more pics and realized... wow we had quite a busy month before the summer. In a way I was overwhelmed being that I would have too many to post when we get back from Canada. I mean, the Canada trip itself I'm sure we'd turn up with hundreds of pictures! So, here's a recap:


Liz and Tobi visited from Illinois! She got engaged here and we took them to Islands of Adventure:




Liz had been my good buddy since high school and am grateful how much we still keep in touch.



My new calling at church... working with the achievement day girls. I absolutely love it!



GIRLS CAMP! A whole week of heat and mosquito bites. But let's not forget to mention, the fun! I've never served in this capacity before and I truly enjoyed myself :)


just cooking over the campfire


the girls



We were labeled the mean girls because we had everybody's flags by the end of the week. Well, not only that, the girls loved pranking too :P


Father's Day picnic at Green Key:




And guess who turned 8???? Julia! My cute cousin who seemingly had an elmo cake last year... now Hannah Montana :P





Well I think that was a pretty good recap, or so I think. Pretty good in the circumstances that we leave in 2 hours for Canada and have not finished packing yet. Hehe... what'd I tell ya... yet another downfall. This internet just sucks the life out of me :P Toodles!

Start of a downfall ;)

Downfall it is! I have a feeling that, next to facebook, this'll be yet another addicting and time-consuming 'visit' on the internet. :) I started following a friend of mine on this website with her pregnancy progression and realized there are many other people on this website! It's nice to read about everybody's adventure and them wanting to know about others! I figured this'll be a great time to join this site to follow everybody's summer tales and trips and I would also love to share ours with others. So if you come across this blog now, please, feel free to add me... I'd love to follow yours!