My mom turned to me and said, "Don't you think it's funny- we all grew up on the West Coast and we are having our very first family reunion in the Midwest?" Well, that's how it goes when three of the five children in my family live in the midwest! This all came about sort of spontaneously when I realized all five kids were going to be in the same area. Shauna and her family from Utah were going to come for a visit and tour the three Monson siblings in the midwest (us, Laura in Ohio, and Steve in Chigago), and our newly returned missionary brother Brian was going to fly out and join them too. I thought this was an opportunity not to be missed and started talking about a reunion of all the siblings and our families. Although they were scheduled for a visit in the fall, we invited our parents and told them we completely understood if they couldn't come, but would be happy to have them if they wanted to be there. Within a day of finding out about this, my parents were looking for air-fare. Thanks Mom and Dad for the sacrifice!!
We held our reunion at the most compatible and inexpensive location- my sister's new house in Clayton, OH- - and truly- we had a BLAST!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my family and the fun time we have when we all get together. Below are a sampling of the pictures taken during our very first official planned family reunion- T-shirts and all! I apologize if this gets long and boring- but I want to document this for my own journal (my blog is my journal which I print out each year).
Our original seven family members:
Brian was one of the main reasons for this reunion- welcome home Brian! As a joke, we had T-shirts made that said "Uncle Brian is babysitting" . . . That's how it is to be the youngest and the only one not married and with kids. What a great uncle! (and no- we didn't make him babysit)
On to the next family group- Steve Natalie and their little ones Joshua and Kelsey:
Next Laura and Chris and their three children Ben, Rachel and Elizabeth:
Shauna, Patn and three kids Hannah, Adam and Nathan
And of course- me (the oldest) and my family!
The grandchildren- twelve under the age of 10, with 8 of them being under the age of 5. Hard to get a good picture with that many little ones!
Everyone!!
The older grandkids (the four over the age of 5)
Cousins are best friends!
Especially when they were born on the same day, in the same hospital, only minutes apart.
Our family's Huey Dewey and Louie- - the three boys born less than 5 months apart! It is fun to watch them as they grow up and interact with each other more. I can totally picture them shooting hoops or playing soccer or video games together at future reunions . . .
I LOVE my sisters!!
Our outing to a nice reservoir (I don't remember the name) for a beach and swimming day:
Aunt Natalie even let herself be buried by all the kids! What a fun aunt.
Our Talent Show! Definitely a family tradition for future reunions.
Enjoying sparklers the night before the fourth of July- and the neighbor's fireworks!
The Fourth of July- - Happy Birthday Shauna!!
Random fun and "hanging out" at Laura's house and yard
Going for a morning run:
The kids loved watching our two computer wiz kids- Marcus and Ben!
Laura lives in such a beautiful part of town- what a wonderful view from her back-yard. Ahhh- it was the perfect setting for our super fun weekend of Monson fun!
