Bridge Family Reunion

Every three years the whole Bridge family gets together and has a wonderful fun filled weekend.  This is a tradition that I have never missed out on in the last 29 years.  I have been to 10 family reunions in my life time and I remember all but one (I was 2) with fond and warm memories.  When Pat and I met I warned him about these family gatherings. He experienced his first one the summer before we were married and was amazed at how everyone welcomed him with open arms.  The Bridges are a warm and unassuming bunch and being with them really makes me miss my Grandparents. 
Alex was only 10 months when the last reunion took place.  She obviously doesn't remember it and was a little confused when I was telling her about where we were going.  After a couple of minutes of trying to explain what a family reunion was, I just said "all of our cousins will be there".  Well that was all I had to say, she automatically associates cousins with Connor, Charlie and Keiran, so she was excited to have kids to play with. 
We arrived at Shady Nook Hall at 10am and she immediately went searching for "cousins" she found Jess and Dylan (her 5th cousins) but told them they were the wrong kind of cousins and kept searching.  I apologised to them and said "you guys are just too tall" ;)  Jess is 17 and Dylan is 15 (I think lol).  So they were too old to play with her I guess.  But eventually she found a cousin that was just right!  Mia is her name and she is 2 months younger than Alex.  Well they are now the best of friends!  Then Finley arrived, she is technically speaking Alex's step-cousin.  That would be Joann's granddaughter.  So there was another girl to play with.  Then Elyena showed up, so there was 4 of them crammed into our sunshade tent, playing and coloring. 
Alex even got to participate in the kids games, she was in the 3 legged race with Mia, and then was in the sack race.  She loved both but was very disappointed that she didn't win.  We are not sure why she was focusing on that, but she was very serious when she told Daddy "It wasn't good enough Dad, I didn't win!"  We were astounded that she would say that, and made a mental note to watch what we are teaching her with our actions lol.
Joe had a good time hanging out with Keiran and their 3rd cousin Aurea.  He spent most of time time rolling on them and yelling in their faces, but he seemed to enjoy every minute of it!  Enjoy the pictures!

Just hanging out with his toys

Joe with his name tag on

Alex and Mia in the 3 legged race

Super cute Keiran

Evidence that Pat does in fact "belong" to me ;P

Daddy didn't like the whole hat being backwards but oh well lol

sack race!

Keiran and Joe spending some time together

Joe hitting and yelling at poor Keiran, who was crying :(

waiting for pictures

we used to be the smallest family but we are getting to be one of the biggest because of all the kids, and we are even missing Jer, Eroca, Raoul, Jamie, Seth, Anja, Brian, Lisa, James, Danya & Trevor

the famous tent!  Best $60 I ever spent!

BYE!