Kerry Pettingill Reunion: Elba, Idaho

Adam and Lynnette were in charge of our reunion this year, and I have to admit, at first it was a bit underwhelming to hear that we were going to be spending it in Elba where we always go especially since we already have another reunion planned there in July, BUT it was the most fun I've had with my family and I am so glad we were able to spend more time with Grandpa Pettingill. He was so happy to have us all there visiting with him for a weekend. There were 17 great grand kids and 14 adults staying in his little double wide cabin. There was a glow about him; he was just beaming the whole time we were there and there were only a handful of times he had to get after one of the grand kids. Every family took turns preparing a meal for everyone and they were all so delicious and filling. I am also grateful that Joseph and Tim's family came even though they were are in the middle of moving into new houses. We really missed Becky's family; it would've made it a perfect weekend to have them there.

As far as activities go we were able to go and do whatever we wanted. All the grand kids thought it was so fun to be able to drive the four wheelers around by themselves. Adam and a few others fixed part of grandpa's fence for him, and cleaned up all the garbage out in the pasture. We did some fishing in the pond for an hour and Linley and Grady both caught fish. We played games, and the kids went exploring in the hollows. We watched all of grandpa's hummingbirds flitting around and sited a couple of bluebirds. We went to church on Sunday then went for a guided hike to Cable Rock where we looked for Fairy Shrimp, Brad's family went fishing and caught 5 fish that they brought back and cooked up. Boy were they good! I gave a Family Home Evening lesson on successful and lasting relationships, and we also went shooting for half a day. Monday was the most depressing day with wind and rain all day. It let up for a couple hours by the afternoon, just enough time for Wade and Vernae, Grandpa, Dad, and I to go visit the cemetery.

Grandpa has a new bunk house where all the boys slept while all the girls slept in the pool room. I ended up staying in a room in the house with Hannah and Lucas on the floor although I have to give Lucas some credit because he slept in the new bunk house with Zander and Tyson the first night without any incidences. I'm pretty sure Zander wore the same outfit for all four days we were there. I think I had a better time this time because I was actually able to go out and do activities without feeling tied to the house because of Hannah, so a huge thank you to mom who watched her for me so I could get away a few times. Also a big thank you to Joseph and Trish who helped me on the hike with my kids. I never would've made it back without you.