The Dobbs Family Reunion 2009

O.K here goes! I just have to say it takes forever to download pictures on this Blog site!! Why can you only do 5 pictures at a time? One more complaint.... How come there are lots of spaces when you download a bunch of pictures? O.K. back to the topic...... The REUNION

We had our annual Dobbs family reunion. I actually took 350 pictures and deleted 70 of them so had 270 pictures to choose from, which means of course that I had an awful time choosing the pictures I wanted to post, and sometimes actually posted the wrong picture, oh well. I think with all the pictures combined we got about every moment on film!

Natalie was in charge this year and we did the camping thing which turned out to be lots of fun!
Hayden made up Indian names for everyone and we wrote a little story to go along with the Indian names. Nat did all the menus, organized the help and clean up groups, Kerri did the camp games, Lexi did camp songs, Kathy did all the crafts, Grandma and Grandpa made the pouches, did the treasure hunt and worked like crazy and we all had lots of fun!!!

We camped right on lake cascade so we brought our boat along for some fun too.

The kids all jumped into action. Catching fish with their bare hands and buckets. I actually can't believe they could catch them! I tried and the fish were way too fast for me!

Halle made sure her lips were well protected by applying lots of lip gloss.

Brother Tyson on the surf board!

Lexi (oldest cousin, Kerri's), Ryan (bro), and Dal (bro) chillin!

Tanner (Ker's), and little Brody (Ty's) hanging out on the boat!

Katie (Dal's wife) taking in the sun with baby Tiger, the youngest tribe member!

Cousin Brooklynn (Ry's) talking with Halle

Kara

Go Hailey(Ry's oldest) on the wake board!

Tanner doing a little wake boarding!

Kara driving the boat!

Brent of course has to get out every second he can. HE LOVES TO BOAT!!!!!

All the cousins of course loved playing with each other.

Halle ready to do a little swimming herself!

More fish catching, and of course they saw a snake catch a fish! I absolutely hate snakes so I don't even like to write about it! My kids really wanted me to see it as they know how I hate snakes!

How about a little game of splashing Georgie???

Sure Halle I will take you on any day!!!

Keltonator!

Hayden and his muscles!!

Uncle Ryan started a family tradition of making donuts! Boy are they yummy! The kids love them and so do the adults!

Daddy and Halle!

Tiger!

Hayden putting sugar on some donuts!

Halle doing a little taste test!

Ryan, Natalie, Dallas and my mom all helping out! Mom and Dad helped out a lot bringing all the camping supplies!

Kara, Kelton, Halle, and Hayden doing a little singing around the campfire!

Hailey, Cierra, Grandpa, and Aunt Heather getting into the song!

Lexi the leader of the songs doing a little old lady verse!

More loving and squeezing and dancing!

Brent was of course changing in our very private tent!

Time for some yummy breakfast!

Kelton and our little runner Brody go for a jog!

Halle still a little tired!

Not quite warm enough to move away from the fire!

Uncle Ryan made his famous dutch oven egg hash, bacon, and of course pancakes!

Kelton and Reggie play a little horseshoes!

Lexi on the loose!

Grandpa the pancake man! Don't mess with Grandpa he knows how to make pancakes!!

Tiger and Uncle Ryan! I think you need another baby!!

George and Brody, nothing like some fruit by the foot!

Hayden on dish duty!

Halle on dish duty!

Grandma and Halle on dish duty! Everyone gets a turn helping and cleaning!

Did you eat you breakfast Kara?

Indian Natalie and Halle in the Kitchen!

Aunt Kathy made these T-shirts with the kids. All the cousins were on the back and each cousin colored themselves! They were so cute and a big hit with the cousins!

So here they all are in their shirts. Mom and Katie I am afraid to say we can still see you even with the T-shirt on your head!!!

From the back!

Here goes Kelton (mine), George (Natalie), Carson(Ryans), Halle (Mine), Cierra (Ry's), Brody (Ty's), Kara (mine), Brooklynn (Ry's), Reggie (Nat's), Hailey (Ry's), Payton (Ry's), Hayden (mine), Tanner (Ker's), Tiger (Dal's), and Lexi (Ker's). Teja and Roxie were not there! There mom was due any day!!

So I thought this was funny. Getting ready for a picture is always fun! A little restling, nose picking, water drinking......

Never stop moving!!!

Grandma put together a treasure hunt! Our theme for camping was Indians, so Grandma made everyone and Indian pouch with their names on them and put together an amazing treasure hunt!

Hurry up little Indian girls!

Kara and Brooklynn cute little Indians!

Very proud of one of her treasure hunt prizes!

Kelton with his loot!

Cool pad and pencil! The favorite prize was the pocket knife that every little Indian recieved! Hayden said, "WOW, I always wanted a pocket knife!" Kelton was in heaven as he is the gadget guy! Little Brody! What a cutie! His mom was tired after this trip for sure! Chasing an 18 month old around while being pregnant!!
Grandpa getting ready to give some tips!

Playing a little game myself. I am terrible!!
Who would have thought this guy could beat me???

Halle building some sand castles!

Fighting Warrior on the beach!

The coveted rain stick and cool necklaces!

Hanging out!

Grandma and Halle making icecream cone TP's!

Eating the TP candies!

My little Warrior, Fighting Cookie!

Kara thrown over board!

No lauging please!!!!

Pretty HOT!

My favorite meal! Corn on the cob, hamburgers, and strawberry spinach salad!!

Indian Girl!

Batmitten!

Girl talk!

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Nothing like a cold soda on a hot day!

Gathering wood for the fire! Good little Indians!

Gotta have smores!
Aunt Kerri having a little fun with the smores!

Uncle Tyson sure makes it look good!

Kelton burnt about 5 before he ate this one! I am sure it was covered in dirt!

MMM good. Hayden likes his with just chocolate and marshmellow!

Perfect!

3 days with out a shower! All the grandkids and Grandma and Grandpa!

The whole Dobbs Clan! Except Brady, Brandi, Teja, and Roxie who we really missed!

I'm adding the Story we wrote and our Indian names, but unless you are family you might not understand it! Actually no one will probably even make it to this point!

Dobbs R............................Healing.......Hailey: Healing Hearts
R. Dobbs...................................Healing....................Ryan: Healing Bones
Kathy: Healing Words
Payton: Healing Hunter
Carson: Healing Bear Cub
Brooklynn: Healing Smiles
Cierra: Healing Blossom
Klevens........................Shining.............Natalie: Shining Pearl
George: Shining Star
Reggie: Shining Memory
B. Dobbs.....................Painted..............Brady: Painted Skin
Brandi: Painted Moon Dancer
Teja: Painted Rose
Roxie: Painted Jewel
T.Dobbs......................Sun.....................Tyson: Great Sun
Heather: Cooling Sun
Brody: Rising Sun
D.Dobbs.....................Water...................Dallas: Big Water
Katie: Flowing Water
Tiger: Small Water
REG and KARALEE.....Chief....................Reg: Chief Ayawamat (meaning "one who follows orders")
Chief Gaho (meaning "mother")
WRIGHTS....................................Wolf....................Kerri: Laughing Wolf
Mark: Running Wolf
Lexi: Dancing Wolf
Tanner: Fighting Wolf
Hucks names...................Fighting.....................Brent: Fighting Worker
Alison: Fighting Bumblebee
Hayden: Fighting Warrior
Kara: Fighting Dawn
Kelton: Fighting Cookie
Halle: Fighting Flower

THE LEGEND OF CHIEF AYAWAMAT AND GAHO
Many moons ago there was a small Indian boy who lived in a Southern tribe. He lived in a sunny land close to the many waters and close to many other tribes. This boy grew and pursued his hunting skills in a various ways but he did not know the way of the land. He eventually went to the great learning teepee as his hunting skills waned but it was there he acquired other hunting skills…

In a small northern tribe where the mighty winds blow and the ice is ever present a small Indian squaw toiled constantly with the land day and night. Her skills with the land were great but she longed to go to the great learning teepee and acquire more skills and possibly acquire a great warrior.

It was at the great learning teepee that this boy, who was now a man, and this girl, who was now a woman, met. Although they were from different tribes and different lands they quickly grew to love one another. The young woman learned that the boy’s name was Ayawamat which meant “he who follows orders” and this suited the woman well. For as she had toiled many days on the land he too would now toil for the cause of their family with her by his side or more appropriately with her at his back gently prodding him. The man felt that the woman’s tribe had named her well for she was called Gaho which means “mother”. They soon were married.

It wasn’t long before Ayawamat and Gaho had their first child, a girl (almost 15 moons later, for Ayawamat was a man who did not like waiting). They did not at first name their child for they wanted to take their time but it was soon apparent that this child should be called Wolf because of her great howling! Later her name was changed to Laughing Wolf as a result of her ability to howl while laughing and her ablility to see something funny in everything. Laughing Wolf grew quickly and went to the great learning teepee in the mountains where she met Running Wolf. Their love grew and they howled at each other. Their children were named Dancing Wolf and Fighting Wolf. Dancing Wolf was a beautiful dancer and soon desired to journey to the great learning teepee where she would meet many young Indians and learn about educating the young children of the tribe. Running Wolf and Laughing Wolf have forbidden her to dance with the young braves that come from the many tribes at the learning teepee! Fighting Wolf continues to gather his strength and advance his hunting skills.

After their first child Ayawamat and Gaho officially became Chiefs of their new tribe. After becoming chief they thought it would be appropriate to continue to grow their tribe. Soon after this decision was made a son followed and he was named Healing Bones. Little did they know that Healing Bones would actually live up to his name and become a great healer. Finally, the time came when Healing Bones went to Chief Ayawamat and asked if he could get become a “great hunter”. Chief Ayawamat told Healing Bones that his pushups were not good and that he too should go to the great learning teepee and learn the way to heal others’ bones. Although this was sad for Healing Bones he knew that his father spoke the truth and that his pushups were not good. Healing Bones used turned his weakness into strength and became a strong healer. Healing Bones married Healing Words and while Healing Bones was learning the ways of the healing art they had many children: Healing Hearts, Healing Hunter, Healing Bear Cub, Healing Smiles and Healing Blossom. Healing Hearts has read most every Indian story and legend ever written; Healing Hunter and Healing Bear Cub have quietly become great builders using only small parts; Healing Smiles earned her name because her pushups are good and she does them while smiling; Healing Blossom brings much joy and happiness to her family with her smiles and loving heart.

As the years past a new daughter was born to the Chief and his wife. Her name was Shining Pearl. She was given her name because she had beautiful skin that sparkled. She was a loving child and always kept the camp organized and cleaned. Her mother was glad they had chosen the name shining as she loved things that were shiny and beautiful. She had many suitors, and chief Ayawamat had to do many trades for these suitors. Two great warrior sons were born to Shining Pearl. Their names were Shining Star and Shining Memory. Both Shining Star and Shining Memory were very strong and loved to fight and fall they would prove to be very good sons that would bring great joy to their mother Shining Pearl.

The chief and his wife felt that in order to continue in their blessings they must continue to grow their tribe which is why another squaw was given to them. She was appropriately named Fighting Bumblebee. She was full of angst as a young child and her parents felt that like a bee she could enjoy the flowers of the field and yet bite at times when pushed. After Fighting Bumblebee left the comforts of her parents’ teepee to go to the great learning teepee in the mountains she suddenly returned. This brought great disappointment to both Chief Ayawamat and Chief Gaho not because she would not go to another learning teepee but because she had returned so quickly. They could only offer her a small corner of their teepee; however, shortly after her return she met a mighty warrior. The tribes in all the surrounding areas knew this great warrior for he was Fighting Worker who was known to many other tribes as Fighting Hunter. The name did not matter, of course, for his reputation as a great warrior was known to all. Fighting Bumblebee fell instantly in love and both Chief Ayawamat and Chief Gaho gave their blessing for Fighting Bumblebee to marry Fighting Worker. When Fighting Worker asked for Fighting Bumblebee’s hand in marriage Chief Ayawamat said your pushups and pull-ups are good so I will grant you your wish to marry my daughter. Chief Ayawamat also congratulated Fighting Worker for besting all of his sons in feats of strength, speed, intellect and other skills. It wasn’t long before Fighting Bumblebee and Fighting Worker had four children: Fighting Warrior (who took his father’s original name for himself), Fighting Dawn, Fighting Cookie, and Fighting Flower. Fighting Warrior too has read most every Indian legend that has been written, Fighting Dawn continues to dance and fight mightily, Fighting Cookie also wants to be a great warrior and trains hard to gain great powers, Fighting Flower also loves the dance and oftentimes howls like a trapped bear!

After Fighting Bumblebee was born, many moons passed and Chief Ayawamat was pleased when a new warrior son was born. Although not immediately apparent he was named Painted Skin. He grew and danced with the fire but like many before him he wanted first to be a great hunter/warrior. He, too, went to his father asking if he could formally begin his training as a great hunter/warrior. His father told him that his pull-ups were not good and that he should continue to dance with the fire. He decided to paint his skin and become a great fire dancer. He married Painted Moon Dancer whom he had loved for many years and who teaches many young squaws the dance of the tribe. His fire dancing paved the way for them to have two children with one on the way. His great fire dancing skills helped them to purchase a new teepee. Their children are Painted Rose, Painted Jewel and Painted Papoose. Painted Rose, like her mother, loves the dance of the tribe as does Painted Jewel. Painted Papoose will have much to learn when she enters the world.

Great Sun was next born to the two great chiefs. Great Sun was very calm at times however his anger would burn bright as the sun if anyone took more than their share of meat from a great hunt or other gathering of food. It was at these times that the last child born to the two Chiefs would attempt to rise up against Great Sun not to defeat him but too cool his rising anger. For this reason he was named Big Water. Painted Skin would often use his fire dancing skills to quench Great Sun’s fierce anger as well. Oddly, these episodes helped the three young sons to form a strong bond of brotherhood but not until later in life would they understand this.

Great Sun also wanted to become a great warrior but never approached either Chief Ayawamat or Chief Gaho because he knew his situps were not good and that his parents would want him to learn the customs and laws of the tribe. Great Sun then embarked on a new journey to a learning teepee where he could learn the law of the tribe with his wife Cooling Sun and their first born Rising Sun. Cooling Sun did much to quell Great Sun’s indomitable anger. Rising Sun continues to wander the land in search of new adventures. He was almost named Wandering Sun!

Big Water was naturally the last the leave the Chiefs’ teepee to go to the great learning teepee where he met and married Flowing Water. He was naturally the last to move back into the Chiefs’ tent as well. Upon asking if he could begin his training to become a great hunter/warrior he was told by the Chief that his pull-ups, pushups, and situps were not good and that he should go back to the great learning teepee where he could learn the way of the trade with other tribes. He and his wife Flowing Water had their first child whom they named Small Water . They have all moved into a new teepee owned by another chieftain.

After 41 years of sharing their TP Chief Ayawamat and Chief Gato are finally alone. They are sure that this will not last for long.

And the days of Chief Ayawamat and Chief Gaho were long upon the land and their posterity grew. It was then that they decided that each year when the air grows warm that they should all return to the land of Chief Gaho to gather, dance, sing and tell great tales.