Clayton Family Reunion

This picture was posted on my Clayton Familly website as "Little Miss Kinghorn"

Layne taking his best shot at the skeet shooting activity.

The men really got to know each other better by the end of this competition.

Jared taking his best shot. I think he won this round!

Kayci going down the slide on the bounce house. Their feet were black by the end of the day from running around to get back on the slide.

Abby tries it head first.

Time to pose as Great Grandma and Grandpa

Now Abby with Jake

Now Layne and I take our turn. Aren't we a handsome couple?!

Kayci and Jake hamming it up.

A relative of mine took an old picture of my Great Grandparents at Craters of the Moon and painted this stand for everyone to use at the reunion. It made for some pretty funny pictures.

My Grandma and Grandpa getting dinner ready in the kitchen.

Bow-making madness!

Karlee, Abby, and Andy decorating their "drums".

Kayci hard at work on her drum.

All finished!

Say cheese girls!

All the kids playing their instruments. What a show!

Kayci made friends with my cousin Val's little girl, Sydney. They loved swinging and playing with their babies.

Every three years the Clayton side of my family has a big reunion. The last few reunions have been held at this park along the Bear River just outside Tremonton. Everyone pulls their campers or sets up a tent and spends the weekend getting reaquainted with relatives not seen in a few years. The park is the perfect place to go. As Jake found out, there is ample space to just run and play. On Friday night they had a dinner and then played some get to know you games. At dark they watched a movie outside on a big screen. It rained all night on Friday and we woke up to some pretty cold temperatures, but that didn't seem to stop the festivities (except maybe the water games). On Saturday there was plenty more food, from breakfast to dinner, plus lots of activities for all to take part in. A favorite was the skeet shooting. They played a kind of round robin version that really kept things lively and a little more competitive. Layne and Jared both won different rounds! They had crafts for the kids to do (they made musical instruments and played them), bows for the moms and girls to make, picture frames for the kids to make that held the pictures they took with their heads in the picture of Great Grandma and Grandpa Clayton, foam swords to fight with, and of course the bounce house that stayed busy the entire time we were there. They even made snowcones despite the wet, cold weather we had on Saturday. Overall it was a blast! My Great Uncle Harlan's family was in charge and they did a phenomenal job. They raised money for the next reunion with a silent auction on boutique items and also put together an awesome cookbook that I think will really be an heirloom for us and future generations. I bought one for each of my kids to have when they leave home.

Oh, we also took our new camper out for the first time. Yep, that's right. We finally got a camper. Something we have wanted for a really long time. It worked great. I think we are really going to love the memories we make with it.

This was a special reunion for me because it gives me the chance to represent my dad. He would have loved things like this reunion. He loved being with his family. We miss him but know he was there in spirit.

The whole reunion was dedicated to my Great Grandma Clayton which was why the cookbook was so special. For as long as I can remember, the Clayton get togethers have revolved around food. At this reunion, a lot of people shared their memories of Grandma and her love for family. I have very fond memories of her. There were around 140 people at this reunion and by the time we all left it was hard to say goodbye. We are looking forward to the next one.