The Townsends

Brulympics 2008
Every year the Albrights hold a family Olympics at our cabin in Brule, WI. It consists of Bocce Ball, Badminton, Ladder Golf, Trivial Pursuit, and the card game Oh Hell. Last year we were severely handicapped by the sheer exhaustion that comes with having a six week old. We were sure that this would be our year. There was some grumbling that having a three person team would put Team Townsend at a distinct advantage. Not the case.

Two problems- Soren has decided that sleeping away from home is for the birds, and also that groups of people that make loud noises are scary as shit. Here's Soren and Isaac during the opening ceremonies. He's a little on edge.

And then, unbeknownst to all, Tom and Liz decided to make a spectacular entrance (looking back we should not have been surprised, they pull shenanigans like this every year). Here's Tom bursting through the flag banner they had announced that they had put up "in the spirit of the games".

Soren was scared out of his mind!!! Did I mention he doesn't like a)suprises b)loud noises c)people with funny things on their heads? I'm probably a horrid mother for thinking this is just about the funniest picture ever.

I wish I would have taken a picture of his little hand grasping onto Isaac's shirt for dear life for an hour afterwards. Or the tears that continued every time Tom came anywhere near him for most of the afternoon. Sigh. Well, at least we'll have something more to add to the embarassing slide show we show at his and Millie's wedding. Here's my mom and dad in their hippy garb, vintage from their glory days! Seems some of it shrunk in the wash somewhere along the way. Not sure if you can see that my mom had flowers braided into her hair.

Mary and Neal's shirts said "The Appraisers-assigning arbitrary values to your weak game", which they did.

Tom and Liz went with an American Gladiators theme, complete with matching (women's) athletic shorts for both!

Poor Beth and Scott had planned to do an American Gladiators theme too (great minds??) but found out ahead of time about Tom and Liz, so changed to The Contenders (you know, like the contestants on AG).

So we didn't win, but we didn't come in last either. Right smack in the middle of the pack, which is better than last year. And we had a blast, so who can ask for more? (Well, Isaac might disagree, he's a bit competitive)

Here's Soren on Sunday gearing up for a hike. For some reason he looks a little tired???