SUNRIVER 2008

Our annual Sunriver trip with Ryan's family took place last weekend. It was the fifth year in a row we have made the drive to eastern Oregon for a few days of fun and reunion with family we see far too little of. As in all years past, we had a theme for our reunion. This year the theme was Patriotism. The first day was directed by the Ord family (Ryan's youngest sister Briana and her hubby Robert Ord) They did a great job of introducing our theme and talking to the kids about Freedom. Every year GiGi (my kids great grandma, and Ryan's Grandma) gives every child two dollars a day to spend at Goodies. Goodies is the old fashioned candy store and ice cream fountain in the Sunriver Village, not to mention the MOST anticipated activity each day for the kids. Anyway....during the discussion about freedom Aunti "B" and Uncle Rob told the kids that this year we were going to do something different with our candy money. They had the kids put one dollar in a pile in front of them and all the other dollars in another pile. They then explained that since us parents did so much to prepare for the trip i.e. haul the bikes, shop for the food etc. that they decided that the kids would give all their candy money to their parents except the one dollar , as a "payment" for all the work that went in to the trip. They explained that in many other parts of the world this was how it was done (dictatorships) There were a few tense moments as the kids, especially the older ones realized what this meant. There were even a few tears. The suffering was only momentary as Auntie B and Uncle Rob told the kids it was just a teaching moment and gave all the money back. WHEW! The next day, Ryan and I introduced symbolism and talked about the Bald Eagle as a symbol for the U.S. We had them do an egg drop off the second story patio at the end and they thought that was cool. ( that was my sister Angela's idea, thanks sis!) They all proved to be very good eagles, and protected their eggs well. The eggs all survived, unbroken. The last day the Eddingtons (Marnie and her husband Thane Eddington) talked about the Flag and Grandad showed the kids his Air force medals. They also made a flag snack using graham crackers and frosting. Along with all the teaching moments there was the usual bike riding, ( and bike accidents-First place goes to Caden for the bloodiest crash this year, with Emmas chafing and Uncle Thane's sore tukus coming in a close second and third) tennis playing, park visiting, and late night gaming and cooking eating. We all love Sunriver so much and enjoy the chance to escape each year there. Nanna Mo and Grandad always do so much to make sure it is a special experience for the kids.