Family gathering in Allen, Texas in November 2012

 We made plans, way back in the summer of 2012, to attend Ethan's Eagle ScoutCcourt of Honor on Sunday, November 18.  Steve and I flew from Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, November 17 to DFW airport where Dallin picked us up and took us to Marjean Nielson's house to drop off our bags.  We joined Erlynne and family at an area barbeque place to eat our supper.  Let the party begin.



As soon as we finished eating, Staci and family, driving from Birmingham, Alabama, called to say they would be at Erlynne's house shortly to see us.  Greeting little 18 month old Reese.

Grandpa Steve loves to hold little Reese.  She, however, is not so sure about all these new people in this strange new house.  Will she accept all of us staring at her?

Dallin is waiting for Reese to warm up to him.  She seems content to sit in Grandpa Steve's lap for now.  Still considering though.  Not ready to start playing with the bigger boys, even though one of them is her brother Wesley.

Staci and Erlynne are discussing mother things while the dads, in the background, are watching the kids playing.  Doesn't Erlynne's new wood flooring look fabulous? Later, Chris drove to the airport to get Clark and family flying in from Boston.  We waited until they presented their surprise:  they are expecting a baby girl in January 2013.

Sunday after Steve and I, as well as Staci and family, attended church in our old Plano Third Ward, we drove to the Fairfield Inn where Clark and family, Staci and family, and Lana and family were staying.  We gathered in Lana's room, as they were newly arrived from Arizona.  In no particular order, events that happened in the Inn rooms as we got acquainted with cousins and such.

 

Dallin and Cassius must be discussing something.  Cute motel/inn rooms.

Dallin and Clark are checking their cell phones.  I had a shot of Porter on his cell phone and Reese playing with her mommy's but for some reason I can't get them to download in this setting.  Grr.

Benjamin likes to watch the kids play.  He loves his water bottle.

 

Dane loves to play cape man, but now he is sharing Mom's lap and hugs.

Lana organized a fun activity to keep the kids entertained while we waited for everyone to be ready to leave.  This game was called "bonk" and involved a plastic inflatable hammer that Tatum had won at the arcade place in the mall.  Reese is taking her turn, but Wesley can not stop laughing.

Dane takes his turn with the bonker, though his 'hit' was a bit much sometimes.  Mom is reminding him to be gentle.  Notice Wesley:  he wants his turn again!

Reese's turn.  I think we ALL loved to watch her with the hammer.  What a little cutie!  Tatum was so sweet to share.

The boys invented a game called "king of the bed" or "bedking" but the objective was to make lots of noise, grab at the person on the bed, or jump on the bed (something they NEVER do at home) or something like that, and for sure laugh and have fun together.  Notice the 'dad' supervising on the other bed!

Tatum and Eric are discussing something.  Crew is trying to jump off the bed, I think, but there are a lot of people in one bedroom.

We did a lot of sitting around and talking.  Here Cassius is standing with his back to us, but his dad Clark is on the right.  Lana is talking to someone.  Do you know who it is?

Reese and Cassius are using the window ledge to eat their supper.  Clark is supervising.  Notice the tennis court in the yard.  We didn't have time to play that activity but many of the family members swam in the Inn pool.  In November.

 

Still talking, sitting, listening - Dallin, Staci holding Reese, Lana holding Dane.  He is such a big baby, isn't he?

Dane, Cassius and Reese are sitting on the floor.  Did Cassius bite his tongue or something?  He looks in pain.

 
 

Lots of grandchildren in this photo, starting with baby Mimi in the womb, then Dane, Tatum, with their mom Lana, followed by Crew and Cassius.  Is Dallin still checking his phone?

 

Grr.  I can't get the photo to turn upright.  Sorry Staci and Reese.  You look so cute together.  I love those curls.

Someone is telling Clark and Dallin something funny.  Who is talking?

Finishing their supper, sitting on the couch with Uncle Dallin is Wesley, Benjamin, Dane, and Tatum.  Reese is checking out everybody's plate.  She loves food.  Tatum, are you raising your hand?

 

Wesley loves his water bottle while he watches the action around the room.  What a cutie!

Tatum and Crew (what a funny face you pull!) spending time with Grandpa Steve.

The boys are trying to find something.  What are they looking at, Uncle Dallin?

Our next adventures will be singing karaoke on Tuesday night from 8-10 p.m.  Lots of photos that night.

Posting advice:  I couldn't download these photos when I got home from our trip because my computer crashed.  Then I was super busy, and the new computer was hard to figure out how to download the photos from my camera.  I got that all worked out today but now I can't remember a lot of what happened.  When you go on vacation, take notes.