August 3rd 2008 - TOONE REUNION

We just enjoyed a weekend at "Diamond Dipper" a quaint little piece of land in Beazer that is so beautiful and already such a special place! It was amazing to think that our Grandma Toone grew up in this area and played all along this very same beautiful river where our children were today getting drenched! It's too bad Grandma and Grandpa weren't with us in person, though I don't doubt they were well aware of the fun taking place. To uncle George and aunt Karen, THANK YOU for all the work you've done and for sharing your little piece of heaven with us this weekend! Here's why it's called "Diamond Dipper"....for all the diamond willow trees all over! And dipper because this kind of bird has been spotter here! Sounds like a cool bird. But since I've never seen one, I'll have to head back out there again....real soon (he he.....he!)

Here are some of the kids roasting Hot Dogs in the giant TP.

This was nothing short of AMAZING. An outdoor Hot Tub. Seriously the coolest thing ever. I think it was 107 degrees when they tested it in this photo.

John and his little dude Sam looking like a gangster here. Looks like he's keeping an eye out while his Dad tampers with his plane!

Here's a shot of us at supper Sat. night. I should have taken more pictures but I was too busy eating steak, grilled veggies including the best mushrooms ever, potatoes made in a dutch oven, uncle Georges chili (which Dane totally loved.....and Kendall will be changing that diaper....) yummy buns, salad ..... ah, my mouth is watering. It was DELICIOUS!!!!!!

Having a great time in the creek.

For some of the cousins (ours included), this was our first experience with horses.

Mya thought this was great. The horses would just roam around the campsite. The kids got so comfortable with them (maybe too comfortable at times) and would feed them grass. Took me back to when I was their age, feeding the horses on my grandpa's farm. I loved them so much, he even once brought the horse in the house....and let me mount it from the stairs and ride it down the hall a few times.....cause I was too sick to go out to play!

I wish I was faster with the camera, but at one point one of the horses came right up into the eating area while we were having supper. I think the smell of the steak even got to this herbivore! George went to scare him off and grabbed a hold of his tail while the horse trotted off. It would have been the best shot of the entire weekend had I have snapped it!

Wow, Chad you look like you know what you are doing up there on that horse!! (nice faking!)

Some cool birds to look at too! We even saw hummingbirds but they were just too quick!

Brooklyn think she owned the swing. So sorry to all the Toone cousins! I'm sure there are a lot of happy little kids now that Brooklyn is gone and the swing is open to use again!

So awesome to catch up with everyone and just hang out together!

This was great for the kids. A huge sand pile that kept them busy for hours!

We had a great time. Wonderful to see you all there and we sure did miss our Toone cousins from the States. We CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR.....IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME!!!!