Saturday August 17, 2013
Around 7:30am Mommy wanted to sleep in, but I wanted to get dressed and go eat, so she had to get up ready or not.  Cousin David made me a blueberry pancake.  It was supposed to be a bunny rabbit but it looked like an alien space ship to me and I gobbled it down.  Then I ate a second one.

There were snacks and chips and other food out all day for us to eat.  This was not a good place to be for me to not eat sugary stuff.

Normally there are 50 plus people at this reunion.  This year there were only forty or so.  Russ Bates traveled the farthest coming from New York City.  We came the next farthest and Aunt Peggy came from Dallas.  Everyone else came from Oklahoma.  I was the only little kid, except for a five-year-old girl that one of the cousins brought.  The next youngest child was a ten-year-old boy.  I liked Carter, he called me "Bud" and played with me a little bit, but mostly he was hanging with the older kids.  Next year I hope more little kids come.

GGM went with Mommy and me on a tractor-trailer ride down to the stables. 

 My horse was named Josie.  Mommy led the horse while I rode.

I made the upside down "Hook'em horns" sign and all of those Okies cheered.   

It was lots of fun, but the funny thing was Mommy stepping in a big pile of poop.  I laughed at her predicament.   It only happened  one time because then she started watching where she was stepping. 

 I got to practice using a lasso.

 Here I go.....

I finally got the lasso around his neck, but I could not get him to go down.

Video of me using a lasso.

very short video

 We then rode to a nature barn, and saw snakes,...

a bald eagle, big cats, and other critters.

Every year there is a new t-shirt designed for the reunion.  Barbara and my GG parents never buy them, but Mary Frances bought me the smallest size so I would have one like most everyone else.  Mommy wished she had one but said she didn't know about them.  Barbara said read the reunion letters and you will know about everything. 

Barbara, and my GG parents and all the old folks stayed at the bunk house sitting around visiting.  All the young people went out and had fun.

 Back at the bunk house Mommy and I sent swimming. It is so much easier to play in a pool , like this one, when it is not over my head.

 That is me under the water.

Mommy and I had the whole pool almost to ourselves.
We had to get out of the pool for lunch and after lunch a group picture was taken.  I can not be seen in the picture.  I was hiding behind Mommy.  Nothing and no one could coax me out.   Mommy said, Oh well, maybe next year.   We do want to come back.  We both really enjoyed ourselves.

There is a silent auction every year.  I bid on a four-wheeler toy and I got it.  Mommy got a bucket of Dr. Pepper bottles.  Barbara got a picture frame.  Grandma and GGM got a sack of unshelled pecans.  GGF paid for all of our goodies.  We did not win the small jar of Proud Candy but the winner shared the candy with all of us.  

Mommy and I played at the new playground.  We watched the country guitar players and listened to the singers.   In the evening we went back to listen again except this time Mommy and I danced.  Still the old folks sat and talked about old times.  Every once in a while Barbara would take care of me for a bit, so Mommy could listen to the stories the relatives were telling but mostly it was Mommy and me having a good time together. 

For several years Cousin David has been videoing an interview with Bates family members.  He interviewed Grandma this time so now there are just a few remaining "grandchildren to interview.  For years Barbara conveniently disappears when she thinks David might be looking for her. It is doubtful he will get her to give an interview.  She is not very social now and never has been she says.

Everyone was still listening to stories but Mommy and I went off to bed around 10pm.

Sunday, August 18, 2013
We were all out of bed by 7:30am.  We dressed, ate breakfast loaded the car and were on the road at 8:30am.  The 8 1/2 hour trip home was uneventful.  I enjoyed my iPad apps and I took a long three hour nap.  When we got home, we emptied Grandma's car, loaded Mommy car and Barbara's car.  Mommy, Maggie, and I then drove home.  I enjoyed the reunion, and am looking forward to going again next year, but there is no place like home...

Thank you to Mary Frances, Stephanie, Madge Lee, David and all the other relatives who work hard so we can keep in touch with our relatives.