I am so glad that every year we have the opportunity to have a Lutes family reunion at the beach. I love being at the ocean and I even really like tent camping. Everything about the trip this year once we got to the beach was great. We had a bit of a rocky start but were able to make a comeback and have a great time. I love being with my family and always enjoy the laughter and fun.
The first night that we arrived we were busy putting up tents and getting everything unpacked. Once we were done Rylee and JayLynn asked if they could walk to the ocean lookout. I told them that was fine but they needed to stay at the lookout and not venture down to the beach. The next thing we know We see not just Ryle and JayLynn down frolicking in the ocean but Ryker, Ben, Avynlea, Isabelle and Camryn as well. None of them had permission and none of them had swimsuits on. Once they got back up to our campsites they said they went down just to put their feet in but then ended up going swimming. I thought it was pretty funny and couldn't be too mad although JayLynn and Rylee were told specifically not to go down. Little Stinkers!
We had such a good time playing at the beach. The weather was nice and the water was not too cold. The waves did get a little rough for some people but I never ventured out too far so I was ok. I loved swimming in the ocean with my family and I also loved just sitting back and watching my kids have a good time.
JayLynn and Rylee
Avynlea, Ryker, Ben and Rylee
I was trying to get Heather to get a picture of me at the top of my cartwheels and kickups and I think we did pretty good. I think this was the best she could get because this was the best I could get up to. Not a problem I always enjoy a little room for improvement.
I was taking Senior pictures of Kenedy and Alyssa one afternoon on the beach and Alec tried to get in on the fun. I kept telling him that I was gathering ideas for his turn next year but he claimed to not want Senior pictures taken.
Ryker and Ben
Mom's BFF MaryBeth came for a night at the beach and it was fun to visit with her. The tide was really aggressive this year and despite trying to sit back away from the water line kept sneaking up and getting us. Mom, Erin, MaryBeth, Heather and I stayed down at the beach longer after everyone else had gone up. We were just visiting and laughing and trying to move back from the water when we finally had to give up because there was really no where left to back up to and we were getting wet along with all of our stuff. Luckily no possessions were snatched by the waves and pulled into the ocean though we did have some almost disappear.
Grandma and Amos
Baby Amos ready for bed
Heather, Mom, Kenedy and Elizabeth
One thing I never knew about Anita was that she never graduated from High School. She decided this last year to get her High School diploma but she did not tell anyone because she wanted to make sure she could do it first. JayLynn was the one to spill the beans about her Mom getting her diploma and we were really happy and excited for her accomplishment. Emily and Matt bought a cake from Costco so that the graduate could be recognized and celebrated.
Heather
Elizabeth
Avynlea
I braided a lot of hair on this beach trip which was a lot of fun. It became the thing to do and after the week was up I braided Moms, Heathers, Avynlea's, Rylee's, JayLynns, Anitas, Emily's, Kenedy's and none own. Emily and Kenedy braided hair as well and it was a lot of fun. Emily and I tried to get Camryn to let us braid her hair but she would have nothing to do with it. It was fun to tease her a little about us braiding her hair. She had to desire or interest at all!
Kenedy and Alyssa
Elizabeth and Jeremy
We needed to draw names for our Lutes Family Christmas gift exchange and this year Ashleigh did them. We have always had the names typed out or written down and each of us draws a slip of paper and that is who we but a gift for at Christmas. Ashleigh took it to an entirely new level by making everybody into a chocolate frog trading card. She had all of our picture cards in individual boxes with marshmallow filled chocolate fronts inside. Each of us picked a box and the card inside told us who we had for Christmas. She did such a good job and it was so fun for this Harry Potter loving family to have these cards. I vote we do this every year!
My family left Thursday night so we could go and do some other fun things while the rest of the Lutes family staying through Saturday night. I hated leaving because I know I am missing out on more bonding time with my family. Not being able to see them through the year makes me sad to leave knowing I don't get the time spent with them that I need. I am glad we were able to go for the time that we did and I hope that I can get more opportunities in the future to see them.
