This year we returned to Arkansas for our family reunion. 2017 was the last time that we were there. We also determined that 50 years ago was the first time the family vacationed there. We were missing more people than normal this time, but we had a blast all the same. Also, it was the first trip here without Nana.
Scott, Mack, and I traveled about 10 hours on Friday before stopping for the night in Alabama. We got up in the morning and finished the last 5 1/2 hours to reach our destination about 2:30.
Mack getting comfortable for the long ride.Our stop for lunch and stretch at a rest stop.In the hotel room getting ready to leave. He seems unbothered by the car ride.
Saturday. It was so good to see everyone! We wasted no time making the traditional run to Walmart. The games, eating, laughing, and beer drinking began immediately.
No trip is complete without some friendly shuffleboard.Child labor! Tetherball fun.Kids table. Just hanging out. Brother and sister.Kids hanging out inside. Let the games begin. We got Scott to play!Siblings!
Sunday
We loaded everyone up and onto the pontoon boat for some time out on the lake. With our lunches and coolers packed, we were ready for a full day of play. We made our way to the ”big cliff”. The lake level was so high this year that our ”big cliff” wasn’t so big but we enjoyed climbing and jumping from it anyway. Our pontoon had an upper deck for jumping off. There was lots of floating and jumping from the deck and cliff.
Melissa’s striking a pose.Enjoying the ride Trying to convince the young ones that I’m coolCousins Mikey was the first to make it to the top. Everyone floatingThe young ones are now attempting the climbAuntie Connie and meTalon checking out the upper deckNap time?Beautiful Lake NorforkMikey and TalonOn to the next spotCaptain momFloating in the coveDad and meMelissa and meTalon and meSunscreen is a must out hereEveryone is getting kind of far awayMom, dad. And Mikey
Sunday
More of the same. We took the pontoon out and found a nice cove to anchor in so that we could float, swim, and/or jump. We also visited Cranfield Marina to fill up on gas. There were some pretty big carp hanging around there as well. Once we were back in the resort, we resumed with eating, swimming, games, and drinking.
The kids dancing to some music. They didn’t want to but they did for me! They didn’t want to but they did for me. MikeyDominic, Talon, and me Adrienne’s back flipLily’s dive.Melissa and momAmelia and AddyMikey’s cannonballThe group floatingMack just observing Scott with a football?! Dominic and me! I can’t believe I got him to smile. Shuffleboard shenanigans A little game of PigMikey and meNeil and me. Nighttime swimTalon and me Amelia and me Let the games begin. Melissa, Megan and me
Tuesday
You guesses it….more lake time! On this day, Melissa rented a ski boat so that we could tube behind it. The two boats met in “our” cove and while the pontoon anchored, the ski boat took turns taking different people tubing. It was another full day of lake time. When we were done on the lake, we returned to the resort where we once again swam, ate, drank, and played more games. Megan, Melissa, and I played the most epic game of Jenga ever! We made it to the ceiling of the cabana and then played where we had to take the pieces from the top and put them back in the openings.
Jenna, Sawyer, and meHeron taking offSawyerMegan trying to float without going underJennaJenna, Sawyer,and Talon on the upper deckMelissa watching everyone floatMikey and meDominicTalon and me taking a selfie while plotting for Talon to push Mikey in. I told him I would continue to take the “selfie” while he pushed Mikey in. Success! Even though he went in too.Speed boat taking a tuber. Mom, Melissa, and me. TubingLunch breakTalon and DominicSisters comparing their tan levels. Adrienne and her friend Jilly Most epic game of JengaDad diving in More JengaNight swimsUncle CraigShuffleboard Auntie Connie and me A game of hoopsDance class in the pool!
Wednesday
No lake time today! Instead, there were other activities going on. Swimming in the pool, rock painting, a scavenger hunt that we put together for the kids, and of course, eating, drinking, and more games. Also, my cousin Ethan, his wife Amanda, and baby Riley joined us this day. Better late than never!
More swimmingRiley loving the waterUncle Craig and RileyKids getting ready for the scavenger huntReading of the rules and teams. Separating into teams One of the challenges Guys preparing dinner while the kids do the scavenger huntGo Amelia!Completing the challengeTimes up! Return to base. Going over the results. Determining a winner Auntie Connie and JennaAuntie Connie, Sawyer, and Adrienne Rock paintingThe masterpieces More masterpieces And moreAmelia and AddyBrian the grill master. YummmmNeil and MelissaAmelia trying an adult beverage. I don’t think she liked it. Night swimming with glow sticks Talon just chillinGames in the cabanaOne of the team challenges Team challengeThey had to take a group photo under the Blackburns’s sign as one of their challenges.
Thursday
We return to the lake! On the pontoon boat, we took our lunches and headed for ”our” cove and anchored for more jumping, swimming, and floating.
Captain MeganRichieTeam jumpingAmanda and Riley in the lakeEthan’s cannonball Melissa and meSawyer and meEthan, Amanda, and RileySmile everyone!More jumpingAmanda sleeping?Megan and SawyerMegan, Sawyer, and JennaMegan, Melissa, Amanda, and meSawyer and Jenna wanted in the pic. Only, Sawyer decided she wanted to stand on me for the pic.They outcome…me underwater with both hands full. Mom gives the jumping dock a go. Mikey and meNeed a drink?!Using his head, I mean hat to get the empties back to the boat. Sleepy baby. Hiding from the sun on the ride backGoing back is never as fun as going out. Captain mom.
Friday
Last full day…Megan rented another pontoon that had the capabilities of tubing behind it, as well has had a top jumping deck and slide. We took both boats out to…you guessed it….”our” cove. One pontoon anchored, and the fast one took turns taking tubers. This day seemed to FLY by. We stayed out on the lake until it was time to turn the boats back in. Returning to the resort for dinner, drinking, swimming, and more games. We did manage to fit in two mandatory Strouse family volleyball games before dark. We also took our obligatory family photo under the Balckburns Sign (minus one because Brian left the night before).
The other pontoonDad jumping in. Double tubers!More floating. RileySawyerDadMom and Connie…SistersAmanda, Riley, and Ethan“The other” ConnieJennaLunch in the waterAuntie Connie throwing cantaloupe to the swimmers. Megan and me Neil taking his turnDad and TalonAdrienne and meAunt Pam didn’t make this trip so we improvised.WinnersThe other team. Love our family!
Saturday
Everyone packs up and begins their long journeys home. For us that is a 10 hr drive to Hayesville, NC for part 2 of our vacation.
It takes us a long time to coordinate our trips like this and sometimes feel like it won’t happen, but when we are together, we have the best time and cant wait until the next one! Our family is getting older and bigger, but i hope we continue to make it a priority to get together every so often.
*Note: I may make a separate post with some random videos and drone footage that i took while we were there.
