July 18, 2019

My younger sister has made about 6 major trips this spring and summer.  New York state to get a travel trailer, Utah trip with the new trailer, college reunion trip, Alaska tour with her daughter's family, cruise along the West Coast of Canada and in 5 days leaves for Cabo.  The only Sister Time we have with with the four sisters together was at BIL's retirement in January.  That was followed 3 days later with Sis #1 having the first knee replacement.

In the meantime I did two trips to Dallas, each for a week.  BIL's retirement and both of Sis #1 recuperation from 2 knee surgeries.  Trip to Oklahoma in late May, early June to give some relief to caretakers after Sis #2 had revision knee replacement.  Headed to South Carolina on June 26 returning July 2.  Then to Billings, Montana on July 10 returning in the early hours of the morning of July 16.  We leave in 5 days for a 6 state road trip returning home on August 6.  In between there was a utility room remodel, 4 grandsons with injuries, a graduation party and graduations.  Multiple dog and house sitting for son's family and nephew.

When I sat down to do this catch up blog post my first thought was what day is this?  Am I where I am supposed to be?  A quick calendar check and sure enough I just needed to be in my chair with a cup of coffee doing nothing but processing photos of the last two trips.  Tuesday I had managed to avail myself of the grocery pickup service of Wallyworld so there is food in the larder again.  Whew!

Rather than work on further reports of the South Carolina trip I'll just do a short recap of the Family Reunion.  The first activity was at a local hospital.  What?  It seems the hospital has a large area of lawn with a small grandstand/gazebo it uses for summer concerts.  Our family group of about 40 filled a goodly chunk of two rows.  The music provided by Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy was a delightful rendition of 1940's and 50's jazz.  Food trucks provided all the snacks, food and drinks one would need.  Sunset and jazz was a good beginning.  And just a few sprinkles of rain cooled down the temperatures.

Day 2

Trecil, Hubby and Wayne the pickle maker.

The second day was spent at a local park complete with a small lake for water fun.  Grilled burgers, hot dogs and salmon brought by the cousin living in Oregon.  Wayne's homemade garlic pickles, chips and all the other picnic fixins' made for a delish meal.  Of course there were cookies for dessert.  The main fare for the adults was just 'chewin the fat'.

Trecil who usually hides from cameras, Tom, Kyle the Oregon salmon provider, Aiden and Tyler.

Wayne the pickle maker and his DIL

The cook, Jason.  Yummer good job.

Cousins heading for a swim except the one in jeans.

 Several of the now oldest generation turned over the duties of cooking to what is the fourth generation from Perry and Edith.  Fifth generation folks enjoyed water fun both before and after the burger fest.  Some a bit too much as by evening they were showing some redness of the skin.

Mid afternoon all went away for a little individual time and regathered for a pizza, games and pool party at a clubhouse.  Of course there was more 'fat chewing' for the older folks.  Lots to catch up on as the last reunion was in 2015.




The club house had several metal artworks.  I found them interesting.  Made from bolts, springs and scrap metal to look like planes, buffalo and other things.  Even a metal tic tac toe board game.

Salads, pizza and more cookies filled all the empty crevices from a day of swimming for the fifth generation.  Even the third and fourth generations seem to enjoy the goodies.  While the schedule had us there till 9:30 most were tired and heading for the hotel by 8:30 and 9:00.

Day 3

Our last day to be together was spent at a center on the hospital campus.  St. Johns Lillis Center had a kitchen, gathering area and large dining area.  The gathering started with a game of the Great Race.  Divided into 6 teams mixing family groups the fourth and fifth generations rushed from station to station.  The older persons were the judges at each of the stations.  Building airplanes, sorting beans, eating Chex mix from small cups to find the ones with the x so they could move on were just some of the challenges.

This is my 6 th cup, Please, an x!

As the teams completed the challenge they headed back into the air conditioning and refreshing watermelon, lemonade and orange drinks.  More conversations and it was time for lunch.












Carrisa and Marla did another bang up job on planning all the activities and meals.  With tummies full of good bar b que and fixings we all enjoyed more visiting.  One group worked on making the family tree.  Lots of game playing around the tables mixed the families again.  Young and old around the same table.  The youngest played Twister.  With a bit of prodding folks started recalling their favorite stories of visiting the family farm.

Uncle Willis telling the boys there were bears in the woods as they travelled back from Uncle Trecil's house.  That house was about a mile away by road but cutting through the bear ridden woods was half the distance.  Grandma's sweet disposition.  No indoor plumbing certainly was remembered by the Third generation.

It was late afternoon/early evening and one last meal of Italian food was to be enjoyed.  The family members line up really well for food.  Not so much later as we took group photos as the last activity before some folks headed for their homes in North Dakota, Missouri, Arizona, Oregon, Kansas, Minnesota and Texas.

Finally the entire bunch.  Except for Trecil Don who hates photos.

I am telling you herding cats is easier that getting photos when my Hubby is involved.  

Ages 79 to 57.  Hardest group of all.

finally!

Perry and Edith's grandchildren

By far the easiest group shot for these great grandchildren.

As expected I could never get a good shot of everyone in this group.  Oh, well.

Great great grandchildren.  Ages from 18 left back to 3 front row right side.

And it was time to say farewell till the next time.

Great great grandchildren's artwork.