Porter Reunion 2010

July 12-16, 2010 was the bi-annual Porter Reunion in Greer, Arizona. We flew to AZ a few days before the reunion and rented a home in Gilbert. This allowed us plenty of time to visit with cousins who live in the Valley while eating as much delicious Mexican food as possible. Every day, twice a day, sometimes three times as day. It was great!

The rental home was beautiful and reasonably priced. The kitchen was huge and had the largest fridge I have ever seen. The backyard was all set up for entertaining with a pool, outside bbq and bar area, fountain and waterfall, fire pit, and seating. We had a very relaxing time, and because of the pool we didn't mind the heat!
This rental home had seriously the biggest fridge I have ever seen. The left side is a freezer, the right a fridge. It is set up for catering/entertaining on a large scale.
On Sunday we attended church with Lindsey and Rich's family and then Dan drove us around Mesa for two hours. He showed the kids all the memorable places from his youth, such as the spot where he was hit by a beebee gun, the place he got into a car accident which shut down power to most of the town, where he played Little League baseball, where he attended Prom, and the location of all his schools. The kids were groaning by the end, but it was important stuff!
The best Mexican food anywhere. No question about it. My mouth waters just thinking about it!
We took Grandma and Grandpa out to dinner for Grandpa's birthday. Shellee's two oldest kids were with us, also, as she was in the hospital being monitored for pregnancy complications.

On Monday morning we drove NE to Greer, where the weather is more like it is in Vancouver, cool and rainy. We stayed in a cabin with Dave and Mimi's family, near two other cabins which housed the rest of the Porter family (except for Shellee and Curtis).

Our kids really look forward to this reunion. They say, "it's like a big huge sleepover." The older kids hang out until late, watching movies, playing games, and talking. The younger kids play together all day. It is a lot of work to pull off a reunion, but it is worth it.
Nate (all grown up!) challenged Dan to a push-up contest. Dan held his own, but Nate does clapping push-ups!
A few of the Porter girls doing crafts at the Pavilion while it rained. It rained almost every afternoon, which was a kind of fun novelty for those who live in Arizona.
Every night we had a devotional and activity. This night Grandma taught a lesson about prophets. She dressed all the little boys up as a different prophet.
The lighting in this room is horrible for pictures, but this is Brandon and Aubrey singing during the talent show. They sang a cool version of "If I Had a Hammer." Brandon played guitar and sang harmony and Aubrey sang the lead. For her talent, Bailey brought a framed copy of one of the photos she has taken. She really enjoys photography.
Brandon helped the younger girls write a song that they dedicated to Spencer (who is Brandon's age). Spencer was at Boot Camp at the Air Force Academy. The last night of the reunion, Brandon and the girls performed the song, which was taped and will be sent to Spencer.
There are some fun play structures at the campground. The kids love this "red merry-go-round." They are constantly begging for one of the older cousins to push them on it.
All the pictures from the reunion are compliments of Bailey, who snapped many photos documenting the experience. Because I knew she is so good at taking pictures, I didn't even get my camera out of the bag!