Day 3 - Family Reunion

Friday was the day most of the family was all there at once (people came in and out of town all week). Blanche made a delicious quiche for breakfast, which we almost missed because we slept in that morning. Before lunch, we all gathered for family photos. Grouped by family units, we took turns posing while a dozen or so cameras flashed.

Afterwards, the kids played in the irrigation tub/pool (which was verrrrry cold) and hot tub (mmmmm, cozy warm!). There had to be at least 10 kids, ages 1 to 12, so it got a little rowdy at times. Katherine tried to keep the peace and led them in games like "Ring Around the Rosy."

Some of the senior members of our clan played card games and Sovann found a bike and also played some frisbee golf. I sat with my cousin Leonard for a long time and had a wonderful time reminiscing and chatting about odd things. What a great, relaxing time we all had, just being together and sharing the time and beautiful surroundings with each other.

Later in the afternoon, Patty baby-sat the kids so Sovann and I had a chance to go for a walk around the property again. We found a group enjoying the zipline and also met one of Al's sons who had done a lot of work around the place in preparation for this event. We peeked in the "Wildernest," a little building at the top of the ridge that has a small kitchen, sitting room and loft sleeping area. Nearby was an old chicken coop and functional outhouse.


We also explored the "Chateau," a four-level log cabin and the original dwelling on the property. The kitchen still boasted a wood cook-stove and there was a gorgeous stone fireplace in the living room. Up the ladder were multiple sleeping areas, including a loft/attic on the third story. As we were leaving, Al pointed out a robin's nest under one of the eves with at least three little babies in it. I was surprised that they made no sound, but just posed with their beaks open, waiting for a meal. (See pictures) It was fun bumping into other family also exploring the place - what an adventure!

Dinner time found everyone revving up for the Luau, complete with roasted Kalua Pig . Years ago, when Al's boys were bored one day, they started digging a big hole on the hillside near the house. Four feet deep, it ended up making the perfect pit to roast the pig for our luau. Al and (I think) Gerald and Jesse lined it with sand and cinder blocks for this occasion. Les and the guys built a fire the day before putting the pig in. The pig was pressure-washed, wrapped in foil and lowered into the pit of hot coals at midnight, about 18 hours before they pulled it out. Heart, Al and Patty's sweet and gentle dog got all greasy from walking under the grating that held the pig while they carved it.

Blanche passed out lei's and the girls put on grass skirts. Some kids got out hula hoops and Al's other son (the one we hadn't met before) made balloon animals and juggled knives for us. They had Hawaiian music playing and Katherine choreographed a hula routine that she and Kamryn performed while we ate. Grace (who had no nap and had gotten to bed after 10pm every night so far) ran around in a toucan outfit someone brought - she was more than a little testy and got into several scraps with the other kids - not a proud parenting moment! We all held hands and Les prayed for the meal - we had a circle of about 50 of us. The pig was so good! We had creamed potatoes and green beans, tropical fruit, green salad and bread with the sweet, tender pork.
After dinner as night fell, they lit the bon fire in the big field and we all toasted marshmallows and made s'mores. A few drops of rain fell in the middle of the day, but overall the weather was simply perfect.