Family Reunion

 Our family reunion was this past weekend.  It was a bittersweet time because it most likely is the last reunion my Grandparents will be able to attend. 

When I was a child, the majority of our family lived in or around the Seattle area.  We regularly gathered at my Grandparents farm on Vashon Island.  My family lived on Vashon as did one set of cousins (and my aunt and uncle, of course).  My other two sets of aunts, uncles and cousins lived a Ferry Boat ride away in West Seattle.  Every Christmas, Easter, Birthday or other special event we gathered together and played and ate and celebrated.  My mom was one of four siblings and each sibling had between two and three children.  We cousins were close in age, so we grew up together.  We were in each others lives and shared all of our childhood milestones. 

After my family moved to Idaho, our family get-togethers became more and more infrequent.  Soon, all of the cousins were grown, the grandparents had moved to Arizona and our parents had settled into post-child rearing routines.  We all gathered for our Grandparents 50th wedding anniversary, but beyond that, we hadn't all been together in years.  Finally, about 11 years ago, we had a family reunion.  Most of us came, but it was only a few hours, so we didn't have much of a chance to visit.  Three years ago we congregated in Bremerton, Washington for a few hours of conversation on the beach, but, once again, there just wasn't enough time.

This year, it was different.  My grandparents are aging and most likely won't be able to make the trip again.  My Uncle was diagnosed with inoperable cancer, and doesn't know what tomorrow holds.  Our families are growing up and growing apart.  We needed to re-connect.

My parents decided to have the family reunion at their cabin in the woods.  Our entire family congregated for three days.  We visited, rode 4-wheelers, swam, sang, slept under the stars and just enjoyed each others company.  What a blessing my family is!

Grandma and Master Calvin...

Lighting off smoke grenades (doesn't everyone do this?)

Checking out each others "chrome domes"....

Marshmallows, kids and fire - an unbeatable combination....

Taking it easy....

The people that started it all....

Maid Elizabeth with Great Grandpa....

Cousin "J" with Grandma....

Uncle "J" with my cousin "J" and my other cousin "J"!  My cousin "J" (with the Clutch This T-shirt) has a movie coming out called "Clutch" - so cool.  He stars in it and directed it and produced it (totally independent film about Muscle cars!).

The boys can hardly wait for their turn on the 4-wheelers....

Cousins.....

This is were I grew up - it is in my soul - it is part of who I am....