CLICK HERE FOR BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND MYSPACE LAYOUTS »

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Whole Fam Damily


This year for the Payne-Camp family reunion Becky (Darrens mom) decided, on our recommendation, to have everyone meet at the Welk Resort in Escondido, CA. It is a fantastic resort with lots to do, great amenities, and a very close proximity to quite a few fun sights. Our week consisted of tennis tournaments, golf tournaments, crafts, cannon ball tournaments, LOTS of swimming, and an even greater quantity of food.

The first day we left, since we couldn't check in until 4 we decided to hit Carlsbad for some rather chilly beach time with the kids.
This is me wondering what I got myself into starting the long weekend by taking the kids all by myself. (Darren couldn't come down until late the next day. Not the smartest move on my part)
But regardless of the weather the kids had a great time with their cousins playing in the surf.....
and the sand.
Aunt Eva, as always, made us all very cute shirts for this years reunion and the kids got to decorate theirs with puff paint, which was a big hit with the kids, if not the moms who found the clothes they were wearing at the time painted as well. All in the name of fun, right?
Aunt Sarah did cookie decorating by the pool. The cookies looked absolutely disgusting, but what do kids care of that when it comes to eating sugar?
We also had Karaoke and skit night. This is Uncle Mike's uncanny impersonation of Justin Bieber. I think its the red cape that really nails it.
Each night we were lucky enough to have a pavilion right off the golf course where we ate dinner and the kids could run amuck without bothering anyone, least of all their parents.
Saturday morning the girls had a 9 hole golf tourney. Becky and I didn't do too bad, but Marci and Sarah pulled it out in the end. Well done ladies, golf never looked so good.
One of the main events of the week was family pictures. As you can imagine it is no small feat to get all 9 kids and 30 some odd grandkids from all over the country around for it. But once every 10 years it can be pulled off, here are how some of the pictures turned out. (These aren't the professional ones, I don't have those yet. These are either from Becky or Eva's cameras, but still not too bad) (and don't worry I spared you the one of Ryan mooning the camera. Oh yes, he did, and yes, there is photographic evidence)
(Mason was tired of smiling)


And that was our weekend in San Diego. Everyone had a blast and worked hard to put together a fantastic reunion, but none as hard as my MIL. Thanks Becky for a great weekend!

Friday, September 3, 2010

First Things First

Well, I have my San Diego post all ready but decided that more important at this moment is a big shout out to the newest 7 year old in the Payne family. Mason had his birthday yesterday and as far as he is willing to tell me (its never much from that kid) he had a pretty great day. They don't do much at school these days for birthdays so Riley and I decided to go and surprise him with a lunch from McDonalds, which he of course loved.
That evening we had a baseball game, which for Mason is the perfect way to spend his birthday evening. So we brought pizza and what I have to say was the coolest baseball cake EVER to share with everyone at the game. A fun birthday night was had by all, especially this kid.....
Happy Birthday to my Mason Man, lover of all things baseball, sports, outdoors, playing with friends and your little sister.
Take a look at that slide into home!
And that Swing!!
And my handsome little man!!
Sure love you dude!!