{"id":7145,"date":"2022-06-19T21:41:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T01:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/10.10.10.205\/?p=7145"},"modified":"2022-06-27T17:14:48","modified_gmt":"2022-06-27T21:14:48","slug":"2022-family-reunion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/19\/2022-family-reunion\/","title":{"rendered":"2022 Family Reunion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.
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Mack getting comfortable for the long ride.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Our stop for lunch and stretch at a rest stop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In the hotel room getting ready to leave. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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He seems unbothered by the car ride.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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No trip is complete without some friendly shuffleboard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Child labor! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tetherball fun.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kids table. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Just hanging out. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Brother and sister.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kids hanging out inside. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Let the games begin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We got Scott to play!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Siblings!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sunday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201dbig cliff\u201d. The lake level was so high this year that our \u201dbig cliff\u201d wasn\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Melissa\u2019s striking a pose.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Enjoying the ride <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Trying to convince the young ones that I\u2019m cool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cousins <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mikey was the first to make it to the top. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Everyone floating<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The young ones are now attempting the climb<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Auntie Connie and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Talon checking out the upper deck<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Nap time?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beautiful Lake Norfork<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mikey and Talon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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On to the next spot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Captain mom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Floating in the cove<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dad and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Melissa and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Talon and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sunscreen is a must out here<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Everyone is getting kind of far away<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mom, dad. And Mikey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sunday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The kids dancing to some music. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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They didn\u2019t want to but they did for me! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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They didn\u2019t want to but they did for me. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mikey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dominic, Talon, and me <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Adrienne\u2019s back flip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lily\u2019s dive.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Melissa and mom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Amelia and Addy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mikey\u2019s cannonball<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The group floating<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mack just observing <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Scott with a football?! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dominic and me! I can\u2019t believe I got him to smile. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Shuffleboard shenanigans <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A little game of Pig<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mikey and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Neil and me. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Nighttime swim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Talon and me <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Amelia and me <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Let the games begin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Melissa, Megan and me <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tuesday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You guesses it\u2026.more lake time! On this day, Melissa rented a ski boat so that we could tube behind it. The two boats met in \u201cour\u201d 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jenna, Sawyer, and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Heron taking off<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sawyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Megan trying to float without going under<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Jenna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Jenna, Sawyer,and Talon on the upper deck<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Melissa watching everyone float<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mikey and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dominic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Talon and me taking a selfie while plotting for Talon to push Mikey in. I told him I would continue to take the \u201cselfie\u201d while he pushed Mikey in. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Success! Even though he went in too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Speed boat taking a tuber. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mom, Melissa, and me. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tubing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lunch break<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Talon and Dominic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sisters comparing their tan levels. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Adrienne and her friend Jilly <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Most epic game of Jenga<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dad diving in <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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More Jenga<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Night swims<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Uncle Craig<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Shuffleboard <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Auntie Connie and me <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A game of hoops<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dance class in the pool!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More swimming<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Riley loving the water<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Uncle Craig and Riley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kids getting ready for the scavenger hunt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Reading of the rules and teams. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Separating into teams <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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One of the challenges <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Guys preparing dinner while the kids do the scavenger hunt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Go Amelia!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Completing the challenge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Times up! Return to base. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Going over the results. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Determining a winner <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Auntie Connie and Jenna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Auntie Connie, Sawyer, and Adrienne <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Rock painting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The masterpieces <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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More masterpieces <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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And more<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Amelia and Addy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Brian the grill master. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Yummmm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Neil and Melissa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Amelia trying an adult beverage. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I don\u2019t think she liked it. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Night swimming with glow sticks <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Talon just chillin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Games in the cabana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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One of the team challenges <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Team challenge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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They had to take a group photo under the Blackburns\u2019s sign as one of their challenges. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Thursday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We return to the lake! On the pontoon boat, we took our lunches and headed for \u201dour\u201d cove and anchored for more jumping, swimming, and floating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Captain Megan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Richie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Team jumping<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Amanda and Riley in the lake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ethan\u2019s cannonball <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Melissa and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sawyer and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ethan, Amanda, and Riley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Smile everyone!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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More jumping<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Amanda sleeping?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Megan and Sawyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Megan, Sawyer, and Jenna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Megan, Melissa, Amanda, and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sawyer and Jenna wanted in the pic. Only, Sawyer decided she wanted to stand on me for the pic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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They outcome\u2026me underwater with both hands full. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mom gives the jumping dock a go. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mikey and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Need a drink?!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Using his head, I mean hat to get the empties back to the boat. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sleepy baby. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Hiding from the sun on the ride back<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Going back is never as fun as going out. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Captain mom. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Friday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last full day\u2026Megan 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\u2026you guessed it\u2026.\u201dour\u201d 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). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The other pontoon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dad jumping in. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Double tubers!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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More floating. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Riley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sawyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mom and Connie\u2026Sisters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Amanda, Riley, and Ethan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cThe other\u201d Connie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Jenna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lunch in the water<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Auntie Connie throwing cantaloupe to the swimmers. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Megan and me <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Neil taking his turn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dad and Talon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Adrienne and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Aunt Pam didn\u2019t make this trip so we improvised.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Winners<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The other team. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Love our family!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Saturday <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It takes us a long time to coordinate our trips like this and sometimes feel like it won\u2019t 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.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Note: I may make a separate post with some random videos and drone footage that i took while we were there. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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.…<\/p>\n

Read More Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7145"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7145"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7156,"href":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7145\/revisions\/7156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sswcmw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}