Family Reunion 2012 - Thursday and Friday

In the midst of getting ready for the retirement/reunion weekend, we all got sick. :(  Luckily, we got sick early in the week before the reunion and so were all able to stop and rest and get well before people arrived.  We sure didn't want to greet friends and family from near and far with the 'gift' of the 'summer crud'.   By the time folks started arriving on Thursday we were doing well.  Whew!

The worst news came on Wednesday morning, though, when we found out that my dear Aunt Carolyn had suffered a heart attack and was in the hospital.  We had all been so looking forward to seeing her and knew how much she was anticipating the trip down here for Daddy's retirement and the reunion and it just broke our hearts.  We are so thankful, though, that Charlotte and Issa had flown in from Texas to bring her here.  When they arrived at her home it was to find her incapacitated in her bed.  They were able to call for the ambulance to get her to the hospital and start to get her well.  Aunt Carolyn, we thought of you throughout the entire weekend and prayed (and continue to pray) for your return to health.  I will be making a book of photos to send to you as soon as I can get them all edited and put together.  (between all of us we took around 1600 photos that week!)  Know how much you are loved and treasured!

For us, the family reunion officially began on Thursday with the arrival of David, Becky, Parker and Evan from Virginia and Jennifer from North Carolina.  We all gathered together to have dinner at our house Thursday evening and it was a perfect start to the festivities.

Friday morning everyone else started rolling in.  But, Jennifer and I snuck out to go get a manicure and pedicure!  What fun!  Can you believe this was my very first mani/pedi in my whole life??  Seriously.  Where have I been??  :)  Let me just say it was wonderful and I will definitely be going back.  :)

Several folks arrived at our house by lunchtime on Friday where we just had light sandwich and salad fixings before heading out to the retirement reception at 2:00.

Charlie and Kerry

David and Becky

Susanna and Jonathan

Rachel and Candace

Jackson and Hannah

Stephen and Jonathan

Parker

Evan

After the reception we all went out to 1000 Hills Lake restaurant where we had the back room reserved.  These are the same amazing folks who catered the reception and they were able to transport that incredible water tower cake to the restaurant so we could eat it after dinner.  It was sure tasty!

Daddy introduced the 'honorary' members of the family, David and Deborah.  We were so happy that they both could join us for the weekend.

David and Daddy

Deborah, Daddy and Mama

dinner at the lake

Just before the sun went down we realized we wanted a group family photo while Chris, Wanda and Jane were with us.  (Jane was going to go back to Iowa to stay with Aunt Carolyn so that Charlotte and Issa could come down for Saturday.)   We hurried outside and managed to get a truly lovely photo with the lake behind us.  I just love this photo!

Then it was back inside for cake.  :)

Jonathan got to take the top part of the cake home.  :)

one of the edible photos that was on the cake

Arayna and Shane

David, Deborah and Becky

Jane and David

Dorothy and Joe

Evelyn and Jan - I like this photo because they are smiling toward Jane's camera (across the table) but you can see by the reflection in the window that Jackson is taking a photo of them, as well.  

We finally called it a night and went home where the kids played pool in the basement while the adults visited and caught up.  Perfectly lovely day.  :)

You can see an entire album of photos by clicking here.