With an amazing Fireworks display, a fun trip to Roaring Springs Water park, a Treasure Hunt, and the best-tasting Root Beer ever, we had a wonderful time at the Smith Family Reunion, where we could all come together again and celebrate the freedoms we enjoy today in America, over the 4th of July weekend. This year, it took place at the Holladay home here in Idaho, and we looked forward to everyone’s arrival. It seems I always need to be re-introduced to those in the Smith family, as we only get to see them once a year, but it is a large family. It is one I’m very fond of, for the short time I’ve known them. We really had a lot of fun this last weekend!
My father-in-law, the "Head Pirate" telling of the Legend of Captain "One Eye" Smith. I have included a copy of the story here, for your enjoyment. Thank you Dustin!
The Legend of Captain “One Eye” Smith’s Treasure
Long ago, around the 17th century, King Phillip II of Spain was in the waging war against France. King Phillip had lost one of his strong holds, and now the advancing French army was threatening his treasury at San Sebastian on the shore of the Bay of Biscay. King Phillip ordered that his treasure be loaded on a ship and moved to his Southern command of Lisboan. As the ship set sail it was spotted and trailed by a man who did not care for the war but only the prospect of lining his pockets with Loot.. It was the Famous Captain “One Eye” Smith. Captain Smith knew the ship must have a valuable cargo since it was leaving the treasury, and by the depth it sat in the water. Captain Smith ordered his crew to follow the ship from a safe distance. Later in the dark of night and in the blinding thick fog Captain Smiths’ crew attacked and boarded the King Phillip’s vessel. It was a fierce battle but captain smiths’ crew came away with the king’s treasure. They set sail for their hideout while the king was informed that his treasure had been stolen. The king was so furious that he sent an armada after the pirates. The pirates narrowly escaped their hideout and were being chased by the king’s ships. They sailed for months but the king’s ships were always visible on the horizon. Then one night there was a violent storm. When the sun came up in the morning land was visible on the horizon and the king’s ships were nowhere to be found. Captain Smith knew it would not be long before the king’s ships were hot on his tail so he found an inlet and sailed his ship up a river, which is now the Snake River. They sailed up river for two days until they came to modern day Melba, Idaho. They then went inland about ten miles and buried their treasure on the top of a hill. The captain mapped out the exact location. The crew then made its way back to the ship, and set sail for the ocean. As they were about to exit the mouth of the Snake River, there was a huge explosion and debris from the ship flew into the air. The king’s army had found them and they were sitting ducks. The ship was being blown to pieces. Captain smith flipped his ship around and sailed back up the river. But the King’s navy was gaining ground on the wounded ship. As they were about back to the Melba area, the king’s ships had closed the gap and were now fire ring the cannons at will. It was too much for captain Smith’s ship to handle. The only hope of escape was for the pirates to abandon the ship. They all jumped and swam for shore; even the captain with his treasure map in hand. The king’s navies had launched their dinghies and were in hot pursuit.. As the pirates made it to the beach, musket balls filled the air. As the pirates were about to make it to the safety of the trees the captain was hit numerous times. He fell to the ground and was finished. Two pirates saw the captain fall and grabbed the map from the captain’s bloody hand, and ran for the trees to hide. They were now the only two survivors. Because they did not trust each other they decided to rip the treasure map in two pieces and bury them in separate spots. They also left clues to find the map pieces.
After they buried there map and clues they decided to try and escape. When nightfall came they swam out to one of the king’s anchored ships and took control and sailed away into the night. The pirates never came back, as they were too busy visiting every pub they could, spreading the legend of Captain “One Eyed” Smith.
Long ago, around the 17th century, King Phillip II of Spain was in the waging war against France. King Phillip had lost one of his strong holds, and now the advancing French army was threatening his treasury at San Sebastian on the shore of the Bay of Biscay. King Phillip ordered that his treasure be loaded on a ship and moved to his Southern command of Lisboan. As the ship set sail it was spotted and trailed by a man who did not care for the war but only the prospect of lining his pockets with Loot.. It was the Famous Captain “One Eye” Smith. Captain Smith knew the ship must have a valuable cargo since it was leaving the treasury, and by the depth it sat in the water. Captain Smith ordered his crew to follow the ship from a safe distance. Later in the dark of night and in the blinding thick fog Captain Smiths’ crew attacked and boarded the King Phillip’s vessel. It was a fierce battle but captain smiths’ crew came away with the king’s treasure. They set sail for their hideout while the king was informed that his treasure had been stolen. The king was so furious that he sent an armada after the pirates. The pirates narrowly escaped their hideout and were being chased by the king’s ships. They sailed for months but the king’s ships were always visible on the horizon. Then one night there was a violent storm. When the sun came up in the morning land was visible on the horizon and the king’s ships were nowhere to be found. Captain Smith knew it would not be long before the king’s ships were hot on his tail so he found an inlet and sailed his ship up a river, which is now the Snake River. They sailed up river for two days until they came to modern day Melba, Idaho. They then went inland about ten miles and buried their treasure on the top of a hill. The captain mapped out the exact location. The crew then made its way back to the ship, and set sail for the ocean. As they were about to exit the mouth of the Snake River, there was a huge explosion and debris from the ship flew into the air. The king’s army had found them and they were sitting ducks. The ship was being blown to pieces. Captain smith flipped his ship around and sailed back up the river. But the King’s navy was gaining ground on the wounded ship. As they were about back to the Melba area, the king’s ships had closed the gap and were now fire ring the cannons at will. It was too much for captain Smith’s ship to handle. The only hope of escape was for the pirates to abandon the ship. They all jumped and swam for shore; even the captain with his treasure map in hand. The king’s navies had launched their dinghies and were in hot pursuit.. As the pirates made it to the beach, musket balls filled the air. As the pirates were about to make it to the safety of the trees the captain was hit numerous times. He fell to the ground and was finished. Two pirates saw the captain fall and grabbed the map from the captain’s bloody hand, and ran for the trees to hide. They were now the only two survivors. Because they did not trust each other they decided to rip the treasure map in two pieces and bury them in separate spots. They also left clues to find the map pieces.
After they buried there map and clues they decided to try and escape. When nightfall came they swam out to one of the king’s anchored ships and took control and sailed away into the night. The pirates never came back, as they were too busy visiting every pub they could, spreading the legend of Captain “One Eyed” Smith.
We were all waiting in the "Pirate's Cove" to begin the treasure hunt.
We formed two teams, the "Evens and Odds" for a doughnut-eating contest to start off the treasure hunt.
Dagan was eating that doughnut as fast as he could.
The two teams participated in a Tug-of-War to see which team would have to "Walk the Plank".
Our team was the losing team, but we called ourselves the "odd pirates", since we didn't want to refer to ourselves as the "losers". So, in order to obtain our first clue, we had a member of our team "walk the plank".
Next, we began plucking the next clue with our teeth, or "Apple Bobbing" as it was called.
Onto the next clue...
Then, these brave pirates reached into the hole with gooey eyeballs and slime to obtain the next clue. They were determined, no matter how gross it was!
This pirate had to reach for the "Blood-Covered Rock"...
leading us to yet, another clue.
We had to eat Sardines in order to continue in the hunt for the long-awaited treasure. Rayney doesn't look like she is ready to taste the peculiar-looking oily fish, but she seemed to like it afterall. We did give Sweedish Fish to those who were not daring enough to try the other undelightful version.
This was the clue that led us to the "Ducks in the Muck".
Searching...and searching for the ducks
So far, we have two...
and then there were eight!
and then there were eight!
This was the Willow tree clue that led us "Pole-Volting" across the ditch.
He didn't quite make it back across without getting wet...oops!
Fishing for the next clue...
We were digging a hole to find a piece of the treausure map.
The two teams met up, and put together their pieces of the map,
and this is what it looked like, with all the coordinates needed to find the treasure.
Still searching...
With a compass in hand, we were getting close...
There's something here! Everyone was taking turns digging the hole.
We're getting there!
We finally did it! We have found the treasure and dug it up!
We have the "Loot" to prove it!
We have the "Loot" to prove it!
All the pirates worked really hard to find this treasure, and it was worth the hunt for it, but we also learned another important lesson. It comes from a scripture found in Matthew 6: 19-21.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the Earth,
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
for where your treasure is,
your heart will be also.
"A Pirate's Pizza Contest"
"A Pirate's Pizza Contest"
My handsome pirate making our pizza!
The famous Root Beer concoction...or the Pirate's Rum. We made this with dry ice, and it turned out so yummy. I don't even drink anything carbonated, but I couldn't resist this. It was a big hit! 
Kyli and Breklynn are sporting the new "Pirate Look".
We decided to make a couple bombs with the leftover sparklers from the fireworks show. Garrett made a pretty good one, and it let off a pretty big bang at the end of the night.
Rayney, holding a praying mantis for the first time.
Corban, showing me something he found just lying around.
Lincoln, attempting to wade with the apples.
All the pirate men, playing football.
Archie and Dagan, dancing with their pirate swords.
3 comments:
Wow I think you got it all in! I put up a more abreviated version.
Ashley,
That was perfect I couldn't of said it better myself. I love all the pictures. You did a fantastic job. I may be stealing some of your pictures. I had a great time too. I can't wait to see you next year. It was fun riding all those rides together.
Wow the reunion looked so much fun. I felt like I was actually there just from reading your blog. Next time I'll be sure to go even if I'm 9 months pregnant :). I need your email so I can invite you to my blog.
Janene
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