The last weekend in July brings us all to middle Ohio. Family comes from all around the country. This was a special year. Our most distant cousins and family members came for the weekend. Christopher made the drive from his new home in Chicago. John and Monika with boys are back with us from their home overseas. Cousin David M and his son David came and it was so good to see them. This is but a small selection of the photos I nabbed at the end of the weekend. I had such a nice time visiting that I forgot all about taking snaps until after many kodak moments had past.
Partners in crime. Not really...but Jake and Grace are very good friends/cousins. It worked well because John/Monika and Jay/Michelle took turns keeping the four kids over the weekend so one couple had an early night and the other couple had a night when they could stay up at the campfire.
At any given time, you would find our family dominating the swings. I took a turn myself but fortunately, there were no cameras for that.
All of Dwight's kids made it which is a feat since they are all young adults with jobs. Em and I had a quix-draw on cameras a few times.
It was so good to see Uncle Paul and Aunt Gene. Their entire family group came except for Kirk. Zak and Sam's voices have changed and both are taller than me now. It was good to see them.
Unfortunately, Amber, Dustin and the twins didn't make it. But big brother Austin came with Grandpa Steven.
Marilou's bubble sabers were a huge hit for the entire weekend. Hours of fun by young and old.
Jay's I love Cincinnati stickers had mixed reviews...Austin definately liked his.
Young Sam
Jake with bounty from the pinata. Note the spinning top.
Sara, "your shoes are muddy, you are getting the swing dirty." Upon hearing this observation from several adults, Sara sat down and ended up with footprint smears on the seat of her shorts.
Allison.
I know I'm not the only one who hasn't read the Twilight novel series but I'm beginning to think I'm in the minority.
We welcomed Michelle's mom Patti for her first visit with our extended clan. What a nice three-gen photo. Don't they all look calm? This is right before the drama began on Sunday night. We were noshing and eating appetizers and Grace came to find mom....
Then Grace disclosed her problem. There was something wrong with her newly pierced ears (recent birthday gift). The earring snagged in her hair and pulled and lodged it badly.
Fortunately, we have a decent amount of medical expertise in the family. Bob and Paula were brought in to consult. Ice was added, discussion was had, Grace's excitement/soberness grew. Grace only had her ears pierced a month or so ago so they are still on the tender side. The family consults determined a trip to emergency care was warranted...for a local anesthetic before the earring could be extracted.
That's what was needed. They were back in camp after a few hours. Grace was a trooper and she wore her hospital bracelet proudly.
It was great to see John M's daughters again. Anne has been coming the last few years and this year Beth came with her friend Justin. They are quite the gamesters and persuaded diverse age-groups to engage in the activities. Have you ever heard of Charoodles? It is charades with props. There are only four allowable props. A cup, a ball, a noodle, and a flat square of foam. Two teams. Each person/team takes a turn to draw a card and perform the 4-7 activities on it. The team earns points by guessing. The props are mandatory. I lucked out and got an eay set to perform. Even Uncle Paul and Aunt Martha participated. It was a lot of laughs.
Justin (judge) and Beth (performer)
"The" Senior Cousin
Socks and Legs were shown. Some more festive than others.
Bikes were ridden throughout the weekend. I don't think I saw Lorena's sister Lisa except when she sped by on her bike.
Recent HS graduate, Melissa, won a birthday ride on cousin Josh's big bike.
Zak and young Josh with bubble sabers.
I made the mistake of asking my son to hold my camera while I helped with the evening skit. Laurie, Molly, and Sydney did a great job with the Saturday evening performance about "Green is Good" by Miss Short. Laurie is also a recent HS graduate.
Sunday afternoon after a wave of departures and goodbyes, Beth and Justin brought out a great hammock. Beth brought it back from a trip to Venezuala.
Knots were tied, and retied, and tested, tightened and retied.
In the end....TaDaaa.
It's a new reunion so we must have a new baby. It was good to meet Toben. He is Kelly and Trent's new son and Kaileigh's baby brother.
Kelly and Trent, proud mama and pops.
Yes the Hammock can hold two. Melissa and Anne.
Justin, Beth, and dad John.
Cabin 6 was the heart of things, thanks to Bill's easy pop up tents. There is one here, but a second one was added on Saturday. Aunt Martha had an easy few steps to the center of activity.
Melissa, Sarah, and Anne.
Dwight, Zak, Sandy, and Sam.
There are many folks who attended who aren't included in this small selection of snaps. Despite the sore absences, we had over 80 in attendance. A decent number stayed from Thursday to Monday.
It was neat that Mom's cousin Morrie once again came in for Saturday dinner. Thanks to Morrie and Uncle Paul, I now have many names to identify photos in GrandmaM's album from 1911-1916. Those will eventually make it to the scrapbook blog.
As always, there is news. Cousin Gail recently retired and she is driving her mom to Seattle in the motor home for a good cup of coffee. Paul H. has found a job in Texas. Barry's daughter Tricia and her husband Michael are expecting their first baby in the fall. Dwight and Julie were using the reunion as the launch ride for their annual bicycle tour of Ohio. Adam's employer has transferred him to LA, Christopher's employer has transferred him to Chicago. Brooke and Jamie delivered a new son, Kyan, the week preceding the reunion. I'm sure there's more that's escaping me at the moment...
Thanks Christine for the wonderful memento cup holder/cooler sleeves!! They were a big hit. Mine was maroon, but there were many colors to chose from. Everyone personalized them and guarded them throughout the weekend. Fun! Thanks also for hosting Saturday breakfast for our local family unit.
We very much missed: David and family, Dean and family, Connie and family, and our many young adults whose jobs and busy schedules and distances don't always cooperate with important family holidays. Uncle Arch's absence was very much felt (I kept expecting him to walk up with his hearty laugh and smile). Thanks so much for those that could make it!
The dates for next year have been set. After messy attempts trying to remember the date of the first reunion and count on fingers, we have by common consensus deemed next year as our 30th anniversary reunion. Uncle Paul plans to come. You can make your reservations now. 7/22/2010 through 7/26/2010. Same place.
