3 Girls and a Guy

ATTACK OF THE MCBRIDES
COUSINS GALORE!


Renn was in charge of the McBride family reunion this year. We picked YUBA. We had four boats, lots of trailers and some tents too. We arrived Friday afternoon, hurry and cooked dinner so we could all go out on the lake. The water was pretty nice. It was so much fun to be surrounded by so many cousins and family. The kids had the time of their lives. Some of the cousins do not have boats and do not go boating. We taught them how to knee board and they were so brave and had smiles for miles. Katie and Taylor cracked us up. They were so entertaining to watch on the knee board that night. We would have to end rides, because everyone needed a turn. Our boat was the girl boat most of the trip.

We had homemade rootbeer, soy sauce chicken, salads, homemade ice cream (four kinds), and homemade cookies. Whenever you are with the McBrides, there is sure to be the best homemade food. We sat around and chatted the night away when it got dark. Some of the girls sang camp songs while others set up tents for all the cousins to sleep together. Renn and I had our own tent because all of our kid were with their cousins. They didn't get much sleep and neither did Renn. His ribs still hurt from Powell and a blow up matress did not help. At least it was only one night. We need a trailer like everyone else in the fam.

We played and played on Saturday too. The water was never glass, so mostly we knee boarded, swam and tubed the day away.

The little kids always went on a boat together, the middle aged girls, and the boys. Kaden never came on our boat. He was with his cousins.

The kids all squished in tents. They loved it and barely slept.

We would take breaks Saturday to eat. Early Saturday morning, Grandma McBride brought a quilt to tie and raffle off. All the kids had to tie knots to get their name in the jar. Riley won the cute purple quilt. It looked so comfy. Thanks Grandma for keeping up with McBride tradition with tying a quilt. We had french toast for breakfast, and sloppy joes for lunch. We ate and ate. I loved the pic of Louis sleeping. We were all tired.

This is the best of all. What cook grandparents. We all loved watching. It was a riot. They had fun, but they wore themselves out. Grandpa looked half dead when he was done. I'm sure they should be more careful, but we will all remember this forever. What good sports.

The kids cliff jumped, played on the beach and the little boys took the raft around the mountain and to the other side of the camp. Those boys are fearless and trouble. We were a little concerned, but they made it. I'm afraid of what's to come in the future.

A storm blew in and we decided to leave. There were tons of men at the docks helping everyone get their boats out safely. It was awesome to watch. This was a fun and successful reunion. My kids were exhausted and so were we. We were happy to be in our own beds!

The next weekend, first one in August, was UBIC. Uintah Basin something Celebration. We got to be with the McBrides again. Heather took our fam pics Friday night when we got into town. They also had a BBQ for us after pictures. Jordan has a big garden and we ate potatoes and squash from it. It was fun to spend some alone time with Jordy's fam. My kids all slept at their cousins Friday night. Renn and I were alone with G & G McBride. Uncle Cody has become the party uncle. He lets all the kids sleepover in his backyard, takes them bowling, buys them lots of treats. I think he is trying to win the favorite Uncle award. He has lost over 100 pounds and is so much fun. He is a different guy. Saturday morning they invited us all over for breakfast before the parade. Buttermilk pancakes and sausage. Fun breakfast. Thanks Rae and Cody.

All of our family was in the parade except Renn. Somehow he got out of it. I drove Jordan's van for his cleaning company, my girls handed out flyers and threw candy, Kaden drove on Randy's truck squirting people for the plumbing business. My kids were excited to be in a parade, but a little sad when they didn't catch candy. We saved some for them.

It was a full day in Roosevelt. After the breakfast and parade, it was time for the free BBQ at Fast Cash. That's Renn and Randy's title loan store. Jordan advertised and helped with the BBQ for his cleaning business. He was on the radio in Roosevelt advertising free drawings and things. It was funny to hear him on the radio. All the McBrides came out to help. There were hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks. Many of the women and girls blew up free balloons. We were all busy and all having fun. The McBrides are all hard workers and hard players. Everyone was happy to help out!

We fed most of the town of Roosevelt!

The kids then swam at their cousins, the boys went boating and then it was time for the free concert and fireworks. McBrides set up blankets on half of a hill. Jordy and Heather came and sat by us. A few times, kids were lost, and panic set in. It was dark for most of the night. Kids were crying for toys and food. Renn and I were a little done. I think the real problem was exhaustion. Sometimes it's hard staying at Renn's parents because grandma is a little set in her ways now. No kids in her house, no blankets for the kids to sleep on, no food and so on. Renn decided we were headed home that night. We snuck out of G & G McBrides house at 11 p.m. and we left for home. It was the nicest and quietest ride home ever. My kids slept the whole way. It was so nice to sleep in our beds and wake up Sunday morning at our house. We have packed up and left a lot this summer and home is where I want to stay for awhile!

I think G & G were surprised Sunday morning when they woke up and we were gone. Some of the family thought we were mad at them. It was kind of fun sneaking out of town. We weren't mad, just done!

Thanks Roosevelt family for another great weekend. The two weekends spent with the Roosevelt peeps was a ton of fun. Cousins galore and family everywhere. Sometimes I want to move there! Keep that a secret, no one would believe me.