Family vacation 2008 was in Mesquite, Nevada - a cool 100+ degrees every day. We spent lots of time in the swimming pools - and air conditioned rooms - and we had a great time. All of our children and grandchildren were there - except Brian, Melissa and Cameron - who had a last minute crisis and couldn't get away - they were missed, but we will catch them next time. It is always so much fun when we are all together - and we are always reminded about how lucky we are to have such wonderful children, in-law children and grandchildren - and how blessed we feel to be a part of this amazing family. Vacation 2008 family photo - (back rows) Ken and Cyndi - Mike, Dianna, Kingston - Chris, Matthew, Paula - Amber - Neisha, Isabel - Jason, Erin / (front rows) Wade-O, Jonathan, Caleb - Jaden, Isaac

Yes - even the adults had fun coming down the water slide.

Family game night included 20 of us playing card games and board games in one hotel room - it was great fun to see all the competitive personalities come out.

We spent most of our time sitting beside this wonderful swimming pool - you can see the waterslide and waterfall that the kids enjoyed so much. Between Wade and Isabel - they must have gone down the slide hundreds of times.

Snack time at poolside - we got the kids out of the water for a short snack break - but not too far away from it - they wouldn't even take off the water wings for a few minutes because they were back in the water before you could blink.

A fun round of miniature golf - although obviously not too serious when you had to play and hold little ones in your arms or by the hand througout the course.

We had a picnic lunch by the side of the pool each day - it was great - we just sat out a lot of sandwich makings and everyone helped themselves - a favorite with the little kids was Uncle Jon making funny faces out of their balogna.

More fun and games.

Grandchildren are a joy indeed - here is one picture of each of the 6 grandkids who were with us for this trip - there isn't space enough to publish all the fun shots we took - but you get the idea. Caleb (age 6) chilling by the pool after a long day of swimming. He was turning into quite the little fish by the time we left.

Wade (age 3) loved to swim - and swim - and swim . . . and jump in front of all the people waiting to come down the waterslide!!!

Isabel (age 3) is poised and ready to shoot her squirt gun at anyone within range. She is taking a momentary break out of the water - which didn't happen often.

Jaden (age 2) trying to decide if he is ready to get out of the pool or head back in. He is such a funny little boy and such a joy to be around.

Matthew (age 14 months) loved the water - especially with dad ready to catch him at all times - look, no water wings for him.

Kingston (age 5 months) just made everyone smile when they looked at him. What a beautiful and happy little baby. I even cheated and got to snuggle him for about an hour at midnight on our last night there, when Dianna thought he was asleep - I couldn't help myself.