Watterson Family Reunion 2011, Granby Colorado

This past weekend was the fabulous, famous annual Watterson Family Reunion. This isn't just a small thing here. Watterson family reunions entail a lot of history and too many Watterson man genes in one place. Who is involved in this production? It started with Jake's great-great Moses Watterson. Someone from the families of each of Moses' children take turns planning the reunion. Most of the people who come are 2nd and 3rd cousins and cousins removed.

Side note: I finally looked up some genealogy terms. Cousins or 1st cousin share the same grandparents, 2nd cousins share the same great-grandparents, 3rd cousins share the same great-great grandparents, etc. Removed means a different generation. For example, your mother's cousin/1st cousin (they are same generation) becomes your cousin/1st cousin once removed. If your separated by more generations, it will be twice or 3 times removed.

Back to the story, so we took off to Granby, Colorado. We arrived just a little before 6 on Thursday but we only had a 2 hour drive. Sadly, our tent was traveling with Jake's family who had an 8+ hour drive. They didn't get there until 11-11:30. Gratefully Jake's cousin once removed had room for us to stay the night in the cabin.

Ellie was excited to have kids to play with. She loved playing with her cousins and extended cousins.



Cool chicks taking over.

We went for a hike the next day to Adams Falls (I think that was the name). 

 

Ellie walking with her new friends; Nya, Brody, and Kristine.

 

What great hikers.

It was just a short hike and Ellie wanted to hike/run as fast as the older kids. She did walk the whole way. It was a gorgeous hike. Silly me didn't snap a picture of the actual falls.

All the kids enjoys jumping off this large rock to either Jake or Russ. Once Ellie started, we couldn't get her to stop.  

2, 2, jump is how Ellie counts.

Later that afternoon, while Ellie was napping, some of us took off to go rock climbing near Devil's Thumb ranch. Jake bought a book from some locals and received directions to find the place. It was some good climbing. I was really impressed with the kids. Maddie, Jessica, Gracie, Avery, Zach, and Cody all made some great climbs. I think the scariest part (besides repelling down after climbing to the top) was crossing the small bridge that had all but been ripped out by high running rivers. None of the planks were secured to the logs they sat on.

Camping wouldn't be the same without a fire, smores, and stories. I think there were at least 7 different conversation going on the whole night. Ellie doesn't seem to understand the danger of fire yet, which was a little scary as she would walk around the pit like any adult would.

Sitting around the campfire

We snuggled into our tent to sleep in 40 degree weather. Wiggle worm Ellie wiggled out from under the blankets and woke up freezing in the middle of the night so she slept between Jake and I. That is she slept with her feet on one of us and head on the other until she settled in and I could move her straight again.  As you can see, Ellie has awesome bed head in the mornings. 

Good morning sunshine.

There was a great little playground area for the kids which Ellie spent most of her time swinging. But she did enjoy a game of tether ball or one cousin swinging the ball and running away while Ellie waited for it to hit her.  

Ellie and Nathaniel playing "tether ball"

Saturday always brings the family potluck lunch and raffle/auction. There was plenty of good food and lots of items for raffle. I don't know who enjoys the raffle more, the adults or the kids. A good chunk of the men missed this because they handed money over to their wives and took off to go rock climbing again. Sadly after 3 hours, one car returned after they couldn't find the climbing spot or the other car, without climbing.

Then there were games galore for the kids; a coin and candy search in the sand box, water balloon toss, bingo, etc. 

Ellie was more concerned with finding candy until Daddy showed her money.



Swinging with Daddy.


While the kids played, the adults were able to have a genealogy lesson and watch old reunion videos. It was neat to hear the story of how 2 great grandpa Moses' family joined the church and where the Watterson's came from.

The next morning was clean up to head home. Ellie helped clean things up. 

Once things got to the point that she and Rebecca couldn't help, we had to find other things for them to do. Sometimes they just entertained themselves.

It is fun to meet the people in the extended family, even though this is generally the only time we see them. Besides, the reunion is always a good excuse to go camping since most Wattersons are outdoors men.