Family Get-To-Gether at Rend Lake

For the past few years, my Dad's side of the family has gotten together the Saturday before Labor Day at Rend Lake in southern Illinois. It's about 2 hours away from St. Louis. My grandparents love to camp and they are often camping in one of Rend Lake's campgrounds that weekend. My grandma rents a pavilion for us and my Dad, his brother and two sisters and all the kids and grandkids come together for a fun family BBQ. We always have such a good time!

In the past, it's been SO hot on our little family reunion of sorts, but this year the weather was absolutely perfect. It was in the upper 70's and there was a wonderful breeze blowing off the lake. It really couldn't have been better.

   

My Grandpa Stoffel with my nephew Emerson!

The 2 newest babies of the family.

My dad with my nephew Emerson. ♥

This particular pavilion is nice and big and secluded. There is plenty of room for the kids to run and play! 

My Aunt and Uncle always make homemade vanilla ice-cream for everyone, which is always a fun treat!

My cousin Dallas. He's so cute!

Emerson loved the ice-cream too. Just look at that smile. :-)

I also took a few pictures of Avery down by the lake. She's a stinker and wouldn't really sit still for a picture, but I tried my hardest to get a few cute shots.

Avery also enjoyed several other snacks throughout the day! I think almost every picture I took of her that day, she was eating something. Ha.

 My grandpa also made a fire in the fireplace of the pavilion for us to roast marshmallows and make smores. Yum!

It was such a fun day and so great to see everyone. I'm already looking forward to next year!