Nathan and Leslie family: Wood reunion 2015

Last weekend we had the chance to hang out with this crowd. It was our turn to host the reunion and man I am glad I don't have to plan it every year. I like spending time with these people but it was a little stressful as it got closer. We have such a wide range of ages and will soon be adding the first great grandchild in August. We enjoyed our time with everyone.

This is a great picture for having the camera set on a tripod with a timer and all 38 people are looking at it.

Top row L-R Sterling, Alexis, Addyson, Shellyne, Braidon Seth, Kim, David

Next row L-R Caleb, David, Kayla, Derek, Leslie, Nathan, Heather, Robert, Melissa, Travis

Next Row L-R Jaylin, Kaitynn, Etta, Mason, Camille, Sadie, Josiah, Karsten, Jennifer, Jeff

Next row L-R Jace, Nysa, Langdon, Duane, Chris, Jarom, Elijah, Peyton

Last row L-R Sariah and Teagan

Day canoe trip to Blake Island.

Nathan was quite proud of his set up, 13 canoes total.

Braidon showing Camille, Peyton, Sadie, and Nysa the jelly fish in his hands.

climbing on dead trees

The night before some of the kids made their own kites. There is a wind on the west end of the island that is perfect for flying kites. We were impressed with how well they did fly.

sitting around visiting and watching kids play

More sitting and watching along with some eating. We are good at eating.

There are two kites up in this picture. The weather wasn't bad, as far as temperature goes.

As we were having fun relaxing and visiting I noticed the wind picking up speed and the water getting more rough. We left the island at 1:30 pm and little did we know we would be making some "great" memories for some. One canoe with four people didn't make it too far from shore because the waves came up quickly which made it difficult to keep water out. They were rescued by a guy in a motor boat. They readily accepted the ride back to where the cars were. I would have also. The other four canoes that were near them made their way slowly back to the other side. Once they were able to get some control of their canoes they ended up stopping at the closest place they could to land. It was tough getting control of the canoes and made it scary. My sister pinned where they were from her phone so we could find them. Another group pulled in a few minutes before anyone else and got across quicker than the rest even though it was tough for them. There were a few of us in the middle group with three canoes together. Nathan, me, Jarom, and Elijah were in our wood canoe. I felt very confident in Nathan getting us back but the boys were done about a half an hour in. One of the canoes that with us was moving slow and having a hard time keeping the canoe heading in the correct direction so we kept back with them. At one point we decided to tow them and had them continue to paddle. We soon learned that the combination of them paddling and the canoe zig zagging wasn't good. The canoe tipped and they went in. The ocean water is cold. I was impressed with how well Nathan was able help and guide them back in their canoe. At that point we continued to tow them but they didn't paddle this time. It seemed like we weren't moving at times. It was so frustrating. We were paddling with all our might because we knew they were freezing back there. Jarom and Elijah were so fed up with the ride that they didn't want to save those who fell in. They were mad and scared. Under the circumstances they did very well. I will admit it was a crazy experience and one that many won't forget. One thing is that we all of us worked together to assure each others safety. I suspect nobody in my family will want to canoe ever again.

We actually got two semi decent pictures of our family.

The next day we hiked up to Murhut Falls for those who were brave enough to continue to hang out with us. This is a neat area and we trudged up to the upper part of the falls which was even better.