George Wimsatt Family Reunion July 2013

This year our family once again congregated at The Buttes in Phoenix,Az for our family reunion.

With our busy schedules and coming from different states it was a blessing that everyone was able to attend this year. Cameron summed up our family while talking to my mom at the family photo shoot. My mother said something to Cameron about being a part of our family now, this loud chaotic mess. Cameron replied, "Oh, but it is such a beautiful mess." I feel the same way! I am so blessed to be a part of this family,this beautiful mess! Well said Cameron.

from left to right alternating back to front
Ryan,Miranda,Trey,Jenna holding Harlee,Paul,Joanne holding Ryann,Steve,Rhonda holding Montana,Justin,George(front row),Joshua,Cameron(back row),Tracy,Craig,Hannah(back row(,Allison holding Presley,Brinton,,Nixin(front row),Cote,Chris,Jeni,Chasity,Christy(back row),Ethan,Brexton,Jared

Pool time is a favorite for all.
We enjoyed a few games of water volleyball,hanging
out enjoying each others company and the sunshine.
Topped it off with lunch. A great day!

Father daughter time.

Tradition and it ROCKS!

Why is it that Allison looks so much more refined than I do? Love Nixin and Presley's swimsuit tutus.

These two started this beautiful mess, Ina and George Wimsatt. Proud to be their daughter!

Ryan,Miranda,Hannah,Joshua,Craig,Tracy,Cameron,Chasity,Christy,Jared. My brother Craig's family.

Dinner at Dave & Buster's with the gang.

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Chris,Jeni,Paul,Ethan,Joanne holding Ryann,Justin. My brother Paul's family.

My parents with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Now that is truly a beautiful mess!

My parents with my hot mess of a family.
Jenna holding Harlee,Trey,Montana in front,Rhonda,Steve behind my parents George & Ina,Nixin,Cote,Presley,Brexton, Brinton and Aliison (back row).

Love my boys Trey and Brinton!

Steve and Rhonda

My mom,Ina Mae Wimsatt with her great granddaughter
 Harlee Mae Colburn.

Rocky Point with The Colburn's

I absolutely love the ocean! I have lived in Arizona since 1987,that's 26 years. I was born in California in 1956 and left in 1987 (not counting my college years in Idaho and Utah) so technically I still have lived the majority of my life in California (that will be changing in a few years).

My favorite,positively favorite,childhood memories are my family's annual summer beach camping vacations. Carlsbad,San Onofre and Dana Point. Thanks Mom and Dad for great times! Steve and I had started a Rocky Point tradition with our family and friends. The last few years we have been a little concerned with the unrest in Mexico and we haven't gone. I'm so glad we decided to give it another shot,thanks to Brinton for encouraging it! 

There is something for everyone in Rocky Point,the beach,the pool with two rockin slides and a kiddie area for the munchkins,hot tub,massage by the pool (Allison,Brinton and Rhonda loved that)mexican food,watch movies and eat popcorn in the condo,collecting sea shells,swimming in the warm ocean,digging in the sand,enjoying the view!

 Our cute beach babies!

 Steve and I enjoying the beach.

 Everyone and I mean everyone,even Presley, loved the slide. The common word-AGAIN!

Brinton would line em up each morning for sunscreen application! Even that was fun!

The Hogle Zoo

Steve and I just took a road trip from Mesa,Arizona into Utah in our little red Corvette. We traveled 2,050.00 miles in 7 days! We had a great time in some beautiful country. I took a few pictures along the way and I will be posting some of them over the next few days.

When we were in Salt Lake City, Utah we decided to visit the Hogle Zoo. I had visited this zoo once about 26 years ago with my Mom and my oldest son Brinton. It's a fun zoo to visit.

The Hogle Zoo was the first zoo my mother ever visited. When she lived in Salt Lake City with her sister,Theresa, she would often go to the Hogle Zoo by herself. If you know my Mom you know that she has worked as a volunteer at the Phoenix Zoo for over 21years. Since the end of 2011 I have been able to do this with her. I always thought I would like to volunteer at the zoo when I retired, but to be able to do this along side my Mom has been so special. I truly feel blessed to share this experience with her,and glean knowledge from her!

 The elephant on the bottom was born at the zoo and is maybe 3 years old. We happened to walk by just as they were doing some behavioral enrichment with her. As you can see by the pictures she would back up,lay down,stand on her head,fetch the ball and more! They say she runs the zoo!

 They have a new exhibit with a Polar Bear,seals and sea lions.

 Grizzly Bears!

 They are building a new Savanna for their giraffes that will be finished some time in 2014. Much improved over their current enclosure!

 They have many cats. This is an Amur tiger also known as the Siberian tiger. 

I love the Orangutans and Gorillas! They have a family like the Phoenix Zoo of Orangutans,this is the 2 year old daughter and below is their very large Silverback Gorilla.