My New Happy: Family Reunion Part 23

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Family Reunion Part 23

This is approximately half of the group - heading out for a hike.
Every single July since 1992, my mother's side of the family has gathered for a huge family reunion.  Not everyone makes it every time, but with 42 members, it's always a large group. We've gone on cruises, stayed in lake and beach houses, and camped in California, Oregon and Washington.

I love that every year I get to spend time with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course, this special guy.



Grandpa Ed will be 97 in a month, and he's still going strong.  He loves to point out that none of us would be here if it weren't for him!

This year we camped at Silver Falls, Oregon.  The weather was sunny and hot, and the park was beautiful.  




The only bad thing was the trek to the bathroom, which was SO FAR from our cabins.  Every night I completely freaked myself out walking there at 2am. Trust me, this path that looked so beautiful during the day was ominous in the dark. I felt like I was walking "Into The Woods...."



We ate a lot, played games, had campfires, went swimming and talked late into the night.  


Playing Heads Up
Lots and lots of pinochle

One of the best parts of this campground was the hiking.  A four mile loop took us past seven beautiful waterfalls.


This was my favorite because we were able to walk behind it.








The only one who didn't have much fun was my poor mom.  She slipped on her cabin steps on the second day and broke her arm and badly bruised her ribs. On Friday we took her back to the doctor, who set it and put her in a brace for now. We'll find out tomorrow if she needs surgery. 



I'm so thankful for these people.  No matter what is going on in our lives, we pause for a week each July to laugh and share and enjoy each other's company. They've taught me what family is all about, and I've been able to pass that gift on to my boys.

Can't wait for next year!

20 comments:

  1. Lana... I walked through Silver Falls the summer of 1995... It was beautiful... it was a bit scary as I was terrified of heights... I loved walking under the falls... that was before cell phones... so very few pictures. My mom lived in Silverton Oregon♡

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    1. What a small world! Silverton is such a lovely little town!

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  2. What a special time for your family, and I love that it is an annual event. Those waterfalls are gorgeous!

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  3. Those waterfalls! Wow. I need to do a roadtrip, me thinks.

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    1. Yep, and you better invite me as a tour guide.

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  4. Wow! He's 97?? He totally doesn't look it! Great genes!
    What an awesome time. I would love a family reunion.

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    1. So much fun. And yeah, he's pretty amazing for 97.

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  5. Oh my goodness this looks like so much fun! You are so blessed to spend time with your family like this! That hike looks amazing! I hope your mom is ok and your Grandpas looks 25 years younger than his age(: Susan

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    1. Thanks Susan! My mom is feeling a little better.

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  6. Oh your poor mom! That sounds like something I would do! That parks looks gorgeous and the hiking trails look amazing, especially those waterfalls. We had a family reunion at the same time in KY. It was the first one we had had for several years. My husband's sister used to get us all together every year but since she passed away we hadn't done it. Luckily, some of the kids really missed it and planned one on their own and it was wonderful! Nice to see everyone. Glad your back!

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    1. Rena, I actually thought of you when this happened!

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  7. I love that you do different things for family reunions, go different places. We have a big family, too, but usually camp and have a picnic. I'd love for the family to take turns going to each others' neck of the woods for the reunions. Get to see the places we've settled into. Explore the world together. That would be fun. Glad you had fun. Great photos!

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    1. Thanks Amy. It's definitely fun going to different places each year.

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  8. I LOVE family reunions! Sharing stories. Connecting. Now that the our entire last generation is gone, it's up to us to carry it on. I hope we can be as successful as you have!

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    1. Yay, Diane, so glad you're back! The best part for me is how much my own kids love going to the family reunions and visiting with their relatives.

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  9. Forty-two of you - wow! My parents, siblings and our families try to get together once a year - and finding a place for just the 17 of us is challenging!
    It sounds like you had so much fun- so sorry about your mom's arm though!

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    1. Thanks Susan. My mom is finally feeling a little bit better.

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