The rest of Saturday (Carnival Day)

After the carnival everyone chilled or played on the slip and slide Uncle Wyatt set up until it was time to go to the church for the traditional end-of-reunion activities that include races and karaoke.

The most exciting race was Danica and Olivia. They are very close to the same speed and they're both intense when they run. Danica manages to look graceful even when she runs, but unlike Miriam, she can still turn up the speed. Danica's body always makes me think of Miriam. They both are slender with ridiculously long legs. Danica, though, has this delicacy about her. I can't think of a better way to describe it--not fragile, but ultra-feminine. She's a beauty. Olivia is a soccer star and you can tell when she runs that she has a whole lot of muscle tone. She runs like her personality--whole-hearted, aggressive, and there to have fun. She's another beauty. They're our two oldest, so I like to watch them. I just wish they'd slow down in growing up!! I love having our family so young--the problems are small and everyone still loves being with each other.

Ah, Olivia.

I didn't start the races tradition, but I love it (especially now that I have Cowen). I added my own race this year to the more standard ones. Everyone started at one end of the gym and whoever made it to the other side of the gym using the strangest possible method of transport won.

It was awesome.

Danica did back hand-springs the length of the gym. Impressive.

Leo and Ana are doing . . . something.

This is Danica trying to copy Uncle Ethan. She didn't get very far. But, still impressive for those of us less athletic types.

Does this remind anyone else of Grandpa Lloyd. Love it. He's the one who taught us how to do elephant races. Thanks Derek and Brooke for that nostalgic moment.

Loved this one!! Hang on tight, Hailey!!

Megan, as always, wins "Most Macho" award. She always does. Have her tell you about a fitness class she was in once at WSU. She made some of the guys cry. Well . . . it's embarrassing to men in their twenties to be out-bench pressed by a girl.

Best team effort goes to Maloree and Elena and Ethne. I think Ethne got the cushy job.

More daring-do by Wyatt and Hailey.

Myles and Tyson.

Ethan walked the whole way on his hands. Say what you will about boys who spend four years doing little more than weight-lifting and throwing around a football--but that's pretty impressive. Truth be told, I'm tired of hearing him complain about losing thirty pounds due to recovering from injuries. Don't want to hear about it, Ethan!! Definitely don't want you to ask me how much I weigh anymore (he wants to be the heaviest in the family).

The relay. Each team had a member from each age group. Run, Jethro!!!

At every reunion, one must expect much milling around in each other's way and repetition of instructions. Just the way it is. Get over it, Little Megan and go where I'm pointing. :)

Talmage won the crawling race by a mile. He was a lot more motivated by the licorice than Isabel. Eli wasn't entered as he has no desire to crawl or do much of anything besides sleep. I'm not complaining.

Run eight-year olds, run!

Redo, now that everyone's ready.

Great times were had by all at the races. One of the most fun parts was the ball catch. Derek and Mom threw a ball and after catching it the kids would take one large step back or if they missed they were out. Garrett and Tyson were finalists and out of nowhere, little Maloree. It was awesome! Garrett won the catching competition. Myles won the accuracy throw--he was all the way at the back of the gym and Derek still didn't have to move his feet to catch it. It was so exciting!

I have to admit, I was pretty impressed with Kiersten too. At the last reunion, Cowen blew all the two year olds out of the water in his race. This year though, Kiersten was some stiff competition. In all honesty, I can't remember who won between the two of them. I'll refer to the official tape (Timothy taped everything) and get back to you on that one.