SQUEAK!

When the family reunion had come to an end, we loaded our van and prepared to go home. Jason left the driver's side door open, as we gathered the kids.

The kids and I were up at the lodge. Jason went down to the van to bring it up to where we were. As he sat in the driver's seat, he was surprised by a little chipmunk who had found our snack bag. The chipmunk started to scurry around the van. Jason opened the side door and went around to the other side to try and scare it out. When he came back around to the driver's side he saw no sign of the chipmunk and assumed he had jumped out.

We said our good-byes and took off for home.

On the drive home we occasionally heard a new squeak in the van, but assumed it was Abree's travel bag swinging on the hook above her seat. When we arrived home we unloaded the van and settled back in to home life.

The next morning, I got in the van to take Rylee's friend home. There was a weird smell in the van. It wasn't awful or super strong, but it was a new smell and it was weird.. kind of a rubber balloon or very mild skunk smell. As we drove we heard the new squeaky sound again. We joked about it possibly being the chipmunk who had nibbled on our almonds in the snack bag, but concluded it had to be some sort of insect. We couldn't believe that the chipmunk could have travelled all this way, without us knowing, so dismissed the thought.

That afternoon, the kids, Grandpa Waite and I loaded into the van to go to lunch in the park. We heard the weird new squeak again. Treyson started to be convinced that the chipmunk WAS in the van.

When we reached the park I hopped out and opened the side door for the kids. Abree was waiting to hop out, as Treyson reached under the driver's side seat. As he started rummaging around, something furry darted from under the seat up through the space right above the gas pedal, into the dash.

Oh my! There really IS a chipmunk in my van!!! Now what do I do?!

We decided that we would leave the driver's side door open as we ate lunch.. hoping he would sense freedom and find a new home in the park. When we were done eating, we went back to the van and thumped on the dash and heard the squeaking again. He's still in there! I opened all the doors and kept thumping. Come on little guy the park would be a perfect home, away from home, for you. When I opened the back hatch door I saw concrete evidence... droppings! So that's what that weird smell was.

Every time we thumped the dash, he would squeak. Hmmm, what to do, what to do.

We decided to go to the carwash to see if Jason's detail guys could take apart the dash and get our new friend to come out. But how would we get there? Drive of course, but what if he decided to come out and run across my foot. Could I control myself and not freak out? I wasn't sure.

Dad, will you drive...please?

Grandpa drove us to the carwash and the detail guys took our dash apart and started poking and prodding around with air tools and vacuums.... to no avail.

Thump... squeak, squeak.

Grrrreat!

Grandpa met a friend at the carwash and they took off, so I was the lone driver that had to get us home. I tried to talk myself into staying calm if our little friend made his appearance while I was driving.

Don't freak out.. don't freak out.. don't freak out.

We successfully got home without a chipmunk appearance. I backed up into the driveway, opened the doors and prepared a lure. I set 2 paper plates out by each open door, with peanut butter, an almond, a craisin and a little cap of water. We hoped the open doors and little snack would lure our little friend out of hiding.

We left the doors open all afternoon and into the night.

When Jason used the van that night, he reported he heard NO squeaking.

Could it be? Had our little squeaky friend escaped?

In scrutinizing the critter snack, I wondered if there was some gnawing on the almond and craisin. The sun had melted the peanut butter, so it was hard to tell if it had been chewed on or just sun-baked.

When we did the thump test we heard no squeak. We concluded that our chipmunk friend had escaped or died of extreme heat. If the latter was true, we'd know soon enough.

So far, so good. No squeaking and no stinking.... yet.

Waite Family Reunion 2011- Part 2

A little blurry-eyed and without much sleep, I got up early to help make/serve breakfast for the family. We had breakfast burritos and juice.

After breakfast, Dean/Candice organized some games for us to play.

First up, tug-o-war.

We took turns; big kids vs. big kids, little kids vs. little kids, Utah cousins vs. Idaho cousins, BYU vs. BSU, moms vs. moms, dads vs. dads, etc.

Gunny sack races were next.

Again, we did several heets; big kids, little kids, couples, teens (sort of) and dads.

The dad heet was a full-on competition... of course.

Short gunny sacks = handicap for tall dads.

Back at the lodge, gaming continued, while Karen painted the kid's hands and cheeks.

The kids chose what shape and color they wanted. Pink and purple butterflies were popular with the little girls.

After lunch, people went to the lake to take a dip or try their hand at the canoe. The report I got was that the lake was FREEZING... but beautiful.

While my family was at the lake, I took a needed nap. I woke up feeling so much better. Ahhh.

After the lake, gaming resumed, while Tianna set up crafts for the kids. The kids colored in coloring books, made "eye of God" yarn crafts and worked on friendship bracelets.

After a delicious dinner, the Waite Family Talent Show was next. We sprayed ourselves down with bug repellent and headed to the outdoor amphitheater for the show.

Karan and Vicki started us off by sharing stories of Grandma and Grandpa Waite. They also talked about Uncle Mark and some of his stories/accomplishments.

Neil/Sarah's family did 2 scout-type skits.

Here they are sitting on the "invisible bench".

Johnathon/Kendra's girls did 2 dance numbers, they had learned at school. They were so cute! Their oldest son, McKay, showed off his basketball skills, by spinning the ball on his finger.

I videoed a bit of one of the dance numbers (at the end of the post). Hopefully it will work.

Uncle Grant showed us old pictures of Grandma and Grandpa Waite and told one of Grandpa's favorite stories, "Heap Good"..."Throw it away Sam"..."No, heap good" BOOM!

It's an inside-the-family classic.

Dad/Uncle Lynn told the "Pig won't jump over the sty" story... another one of Grandpa Waite's favorites.

For our family's portion of the talent show, I had everyone bring something they had made or created. I told about how I love to craft and create and recently have had fun decorating and putting on parties, I showed a fabric banner I had made, as well as a little cake banner. Then as the other members of my family shared their creations I blew up and made a flower balloon... one of my favorite party go-tos.

Jason shared some of his drawings, Rylee shared 2 skirts she had sewn, Taylee shared her drawing of Grandpa Waite (Lynn) she had recently finished, Treyson shared his pinewood derby he made for cub scouts this year and Abree shared a princess picture she had drawn.

Dean/Candice's family put on a very funny and cute skit.

It was about a VERY handsome knight, asking the BEAUTIFUL princess to marry him.

Levi was the handsome knights trusty steed.

Candice was the gate keeper/messenger,

"King, there is a man here that wants to marry the princess."

King Jackson- "I'll have to ask the Queen."

"Queen, there is a man here that wants to marry the princess."

Queen Micaela- "I'll have to ask the princess."

"Princess, there is a man here that wants to marry you."

Princess Lizzy- "Do you like my ring?" (said in a British princess accent--so cute!)
Queen- "No, not really."

Princess- "Then I WON'T marry!"

As each person relayed the message back to the handsome knight, he was not happy with their answer, he took his sword/light saber to them and they died.

Finally, no one was left, but the princess herself.

Princess- "Do you like my ring?"

Knight- "No, not really. I've come here to ask you to marry me."

Princess-"Are you rich?"

Knight- "Yes."
Princess- "Then I would LOVE to!!!"

And then the HANDSOME knight, swept the BEAUTIFUL princess off her feet and they lived happily ever after.

Tim shows his skills with card tricks.

Tim/Karen, Amber and kids (sort of) sang, "Twinkle , Twinkle Little Star".

Tyrel was our MC for the evening, but also showed us how he could whistle 5 1/2 different ways.

Necha did a little animal skit.

Tianna folded paper into an origami bird that flew.

Eric sang a tongue-twister of a song, from "The Pirates of Penance".

We finished outside, just as it started to rain.

We went back into the lodge and heard 2 piano performances from Molly/Scott's boys.

Eric accompanied Zach on a piano piece he had learned, just the day before.

Although some didn't care to participate, I think the family talent show was really fun.

Here's the video of Johnathon/Kendra's girls. Crossing my fingers and hoping that it works.

The night was finished out with more games. Our "Hand and Foot" card game resumed too.

We stayed up late into the night eating candy, talking and laughing.

Overall ,a great way to spend a weekend.

Waite Family Reunion 2011- Part 1

My dad's side of the family, the Waites, have a family reunion every other year. This year we went to "Smokey Campground" by Alturas Lake.

It was a great place for a family reunion.

There was a main lodge that had a kitchen and a large eating/playing/socializing area.

The kitchen had a huge gas stove and grill, 2 regular ovens, many pans/pots/bowls/utensils, 3 refrigerators, a deep freeze and a nice stainless steel counters and serving area. It was awesome!

There were also several fire pits, amphitheaters, picnic benches and outside games to play.

We were spoiled with cabins to sleep in... don't know if I ever want to sleep in a tent again, if I don't HAVE TO.

There was one bathroom facility that was shared. It had flushing toilets and 2 showers.

When we arrived, we hunted for a cabin. We settled on cabin #3.

These were older, but nice cabins. Ours had 4 bunks (that would sleep 8), a wood stove, a table/chairs and places to hang clothes/jackets/bags.

Although these cabins were "nice" they were still cabins. The dust, dead flies on the table and the sign that read, "Remove dead mice from traps", made my kids a little uneasy at first.

We teased Rylee that she had been expecting a 5-star hotel. She wasn't sure if she wanted to sleep on the dusty mattresses with mice and dead flies. When it was dark and she was tired, she got over it. :)

We shared a cabin with Amber, Daisylyn and Sterling. With 2 pack-n-plays and our queen-sized air mattress on the floor, we were snug, but it all worked out just fine.

Abree-Lizzy-Audrey

The kids were dirty, but happy, from sun up to sundown.

Keaton (John & Kendra's youngest)

Jason and Tim took advantage of the nice horseshoe pits.

Jackson trying to untangle the balls to play Ladder Ball.

There was also a tether ball pole that was a popular place for the kids to be.

Friday night was potluck for dinner. Everyone pitched in to make a great meal.

Treyson is proof that dinner was yummy.
Look at that face.

I think Sterling would rather be crawling on the floor getting dirty, than be in his stroller.

He was a very Happy Camper. :)

Molly, Candice & boys

After dinner clean-up, Amber lead us in a few get-to-know-you type games.

First game we had a paper with things people had done. We had to match the actions with the people who had done them, by getting their signature or initials. Example: Has gone on a mission, Has served in the military, Has skydived, Is the oldest child, Has a unique talent, Speaks a foreign language, etc.

Grant-Necha-Lynn

Grant also challenged us with a "Family History Quiz". We were to answer the questions by filling in the ancestors/family members who the question applied to. It was a hard quiz, so could be turned in by the next morning..at 9 o'clock sharp!

Dean was very serious about this quiz. He and Candice read/studied the family history book on the way up and asked enough questions to get a good "grade" on his quiz. He won a set of new scriptures for having the most correct answers.

Half of John & Kendra's sweet family & Karan.

Al, Vicki & Neil

Next get-to-know-you game, we passed around a ball in a circle. On the ball there were numbers. What ever number your hand was touching, you answered the question.

We learned several people were afraid of spiders and what they would do with a million dollars.

Molly's husband Scott & boys

Levi LOVED crawling around.

His hands and face were a happy shade of brown/black, at all times.

Check out those cute fingers.

Wanna share a Cheerio with him? :)

This is Lydia, Sarah and Neils 10th child! Isn't she soo cute. She seemed happy and bright-eyed the whole time.

Melanie, you can't tell much by this picture, but I think she looks a little like your Lydia. What do you think?

After most of the kids were in bed, a card game of "Hand and Foot" broke out. It was soo fun, but had to be-continued the next night, because of the late hour.

What a fun first day... on to the next.

After dinner, Abree started not feeling well. She huddled next to me and got quiet. I finally tuned-in and asked if it was her stomach. Yes. We got her a bowl and she threw-up 3 times that evening. We could tell it was mostly the Jell-o salad she had got seconds on, so I wondered if she had over-ate or if she was sick. She curled up on the floor and fell asleep, while we played cards.

After going to bed that night, I was on high-alert all night. I jumped at every sound , worrying about waking babies or sick kids. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well that night. By the next morning, she was hungry and asking for breakfast. No one else got sick, so I assumed she had, had too much of a good thing. Whew.