OOOPS

Hmmm... My mind just isn't functioning....

GENERATION ONE: Grandma Kennedy


GENERATION TWO: Dad and I


GENERATION THREE: Mark, Darla, Susan, Steve, Marie, Tom, and Ann Margaret

GENERATION FOUR: Tobin, DeAnne, Brenna, Vale, TJ, Heather, Toby, Kobe, Harmony, Ethan, Connor, Ivan, Kahlil, Wyatt

GENERATION FIVE: Taylor and Carter.


Okay, it's put to rest. I'll mention it no more. Love, Mom

WE'RE TIRED!!

ACTIVITIES OF THE REUNION

We visited with Grandma Kennedy in Bremerton. In my earlier blog, I certainly counted the generations wrong!! Grandma is Generation One; Dad and I are Two; Tobin, DeAnne, Brenna, Vale, TJ, Heather, Toby, Kobe, Harmony, Ethan, Connor, Ivan, Kahlil, and Wyatt are Generation Three; and Taylor and Carter are Four.

We ate. Dinked around

We ate and ate and ate.

painted rock Had water fights

Ate

Dinked around

Posed for pictures and said our good-byes.
Our annual reunion is over for this year. Who knows what the future will bring, where we'll be, what we'll be do, but we'll have our memories and each other. I love this song by Kenny Rogers, a fitting sentiment, I think.

I can't remember when you weren't there

When I didn't care for anyone but you.

I swear we've been through everything there is

Can't imagine anything we've missed

Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do

Through the year, you've never let me down

You turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found

I've found with you ... through the years

I've never been afraid, I've loved the life we've made

And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you

Through the years

I can't remember what I used to do

Who I trusted, who I listened to before

I swear you've taught me everything I know

Can't imagine needing someone so

But through the years it seems to me

I need you more and more

Through the years, through all the good and bad

I knew how much we had, I've always been so glad

To be with you ... through the years

It's better every day, you've kissed my tears away

As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you

Through the years

Through the years, when everything went wrong

Together we were strong, I know that I belonged

Right here with you ... through the years

I never had a doubt, we'd always work things out

I've learned what love's about, by loving you

Through the years

Through the years, you've never let me down

You've turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found

I've found with you ... through the years

It's better every day, you've kissed my tears away

As long as it's okay, I'll stay with you

Through the years!

"Through the Years"
Kenny Rogers


LOVE, MOM

DEAR MARIE, WE MISS YOU!!

THE FIRST GENERATION

Dad and I just watched in wonder at all the activity and enjoyed EVERYTHING





Just to let you know how everyone looked and was doing, here's a run-down.





































THE SECOND GENERATION:

Tom had fun. He spent a lot of time with all of the kids wherever!!

Nicole was the "idea person." She had many fun outings for the little kids. We heard her sing a heart-stopping rendition of "Greensleeves."

Kahlil met every new challenge and experience with enthusiasm and curiosity!!

Little Wyatt toddled his way into our hearts

I loved watching Steve interact with Kobe because they're such carbon copies of each other!

Is there any one of us who doesn't love Michelle and her sweet smile and spirit??

Kobe is a sweet five year old who was a "go to" guy for all things dinosaur!! He also loved all of TJs action figures!!

Eric was definitely our program director. He'd done a lot of research and introduced us to several neat ideas for entertainment

Susan was our calm in the swirling storm of kids running everywhere with parents hot on their heels.

TJ is a delightful guy. He and I had some great conversations about volcanoes, ships, destroyers, whales, and fishing.

Miss Heather was a busy little bee what with keeping up with all the boys and doing all the craft projects

Toby was a kick!! During the water fight, he realized that he who has the hose has the power--even over Daddy.

Darla kept us all busy and energetic with her enthusiasm and infectious laugh.

Vale loved his position as oldest child there. At one point, he sighed, "It's hard to be so popular!!" In this picture, Vale was trying to crawl under the stairs, looking for a $5.

Mark enjoyed all the family time. The Gorge, White Salmon, the rock painting, etc. brought back lots of fond memories for him.

Jenn's famous lines were, "I don't want to be a line leader." However, she spent lots of time in being the support system for her large brood!

Watching Brenna create a work of art was a study in devotion. She was very involved in her artwork.

DeAnne was upbeat and optimistic. We all wanted to bottle up her enthusiasm for ourselves.

DeAnne brought along her friend, Linda, who was very quiet. Of course, around our family, how could she get in a word edgewise??

Eric plans to fill his suitcase next time with kayaks, backpack, surfboard, etc, etc to take advantage of the beautiful Gorge he's fallen in love with.

Tobin was the quintessenial little Mormon Mom, and I was proud of her. She took her role so seriously that I'm not sure she had much fun!!

THE THIRD GENERATION:

I was a bit taken aback when I asked Taylor how old she was. "I'm 16," she said, very matter-of-factly. A gorgeous little girl who is a long way from 16, but then a princess can't marry until she's 16, and Taylor is a princess through and through

Mister Carter was a calm in the storm of little bodies running all around. I'm not sure I once heard him cry or make any kind of fuss! A charming little red-head.

What a wonderful magical time was our reunion!! I promise a second blog soon of the rest of my pictures. We love you all and are so grateful that we were so blessed to be able to get everyone together.

EXCITEMENT IS MOUNTING!!

Our class is well underway as you can see. Prior to class last week we had a pizza party. This is most of our group. The man in the beige shorts and the lady whose arm and shoulder you can see are the Young Single Adult leaders for The Dalles Stake. On the very back row you can barely see the head of a wonderful non-member lady who is attending our class. She says she's totally lost, since we're studying the book of Revelation, but she's loving every minute of being lost. She told me how amazed she is with the concept of bearing one's testimony!! She's never been in a situation, she explained, where she's listened to so many very personal testimonies. The young man in the maroon shorts is Matt Hodges who is mentally challenged, and he loves the fellowship and friendship of class. The young man in black is awaiting a mission call, although he has to be realistic. He has an attention-deficit disorder which may prevent a call. Almost everyone else in the room is going off to college in the fall.

Isn't this a gorgeous picture? I was looking for pictures to update my family picture bookcases downstairs and realized that I didn't have a good picture of Kevin and Debbie. In desperation, I typed in a Google search for Kevin Gibson Saudi Arabia and found this. It speaks volumes, doesn't it??

You're looking toward the bathrooms and the Park Center at the park!! Because of a broken city well, we have a ban on outdoor watering, and the park has a yellow carpet.

We're gearing up for the reunion!! Here's an updated schedule which is very flexible.

MONDAY, JULY 21: Check-in time is 2:00. We've designated the lower level for Mark's family, since they're the largest group. There are plenty of beds for everyone!! After 2, we'll be at the lodge, so give us a call for directions to the lodge. Basically, you're taking the exit to Government Camp. (Instead of turning left for White Salmon, you're turning right.) When you see the sign for Panorama Point, make the turn to Panorama Point. Once you pass Panorama Point, start looking for signs for Panorama Lodge. I haven't seen the parking area for the lodge, so you may have to ask about that. Nicole, Tom, Dad, and I are preparing a spaghetti dinner for everyone. We have a menu for meat lovers and vegie lovers. Let's plan for dinner at 5 at the Lodge. Let's plan Monday evening to just chill, rest up, settle in.

TUESDAY, JULY 22: BREMERTON. You cannot believe the manuvering and convincing we've gone through to help Grandma understand that we want to come to Bremerton and honor her on this day!! She's very excited about having everyone there, but she's worried about everything!! Bless her heart. We've now settled on: Illahee State Park in Bremerton. This is the park where we've had other reunions. We have reserved Spot #9 which is near the water and the bathrooms. Everyone can make his own way to Bremerton. One fun way is the Seattle Ferry; be warned that prices have gone way, way up. We will plan for lunch at 12. (All times for this reunion are negotiable.) Dad and I will leave early and take the pickup. We'll purchase some KFC, chips, drinks, vegie trays, etc. in Bremerton. If you'd like to purchase something to contribute to the meal, please feel free.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 HOOD RIVER --Pancakes, waffles, French toast, etc. breakfast prepared by Mom and Dad; dinner--an old-fashioned barbeque-- prepared by the Mark Kennedy family. This will be a day to relax all day--sleep as late as you want, go wherever, chill, etc. Hood River Fair opens that evening. Dad and I will be teaching our class in The Dalles in the evening. Tom and Nicole have offered to take an excursion to the sand bar on the Columbia. The Hood River pool is an indoor pool, etc., etc. I plan to set up a crafts table at the lodge. I'd like everyone to paint a rock!!!

THURSDAY, JULY 24 HOOD RIVER Scrambled eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, etc. breakfast prepared by Mom and Dad; dinner--taco salad-- prepared by Darla, Susan, and Steve families. We'd like to spend the day at the house working on Aunt Annie's garden. We're purchasing rose bushes for each year of Annie's life had she lived, beauty bark, flowers and shrubs and we want everyone to find a special place for his painted rock in her garden. There are lots of projects to do. I had envisioned having the little ones play in the grass and run through the sprinklers, but, unfortunately, the watering ban will prevent that. I will have the crafts table set up. (By the way, did we tell you that we have air conditioning now?) We'd like to have a Family Home Evening so we can get pictures, share talents, etc.

FRIDAY, JULY 25 HOOD RIVER Continental breakfast--other meals on your own. Check-out time is 11am. We can adjourn to our house for the day. Another day to chill, etc. If you're feeling especially adventurous, the WS Ward 24th of July campout is Friday and Saturday.

We're excited to see everyone. Love, Mom

SUPER FOURTH

We enjoyed a wonderful, family-oriented Fourth. We spent the Fourth at Aunt Betty's. She lives on Lake Tayhuah (sp??), and good time was had by all, except Grandma Kennedy who had fallen earlier. Grandma's okay except for some some bruises and a stiff body.

Dan and Vale had a good time paddling the canoe around the lake and giving rides to the children who were there. Vale reported that the lake was filled with algae but otherwise okay.

This scene was repeated again and again all afternoon. Vale and I watched the fireworks from the comfort of Grandma's balcony and were treated to a panorama of fireworks and a lightning storm over the bay.

On Saturday we met Mark, Jen, and Brenna for a wonderful reunion. It was so great to see them after 3 years. Brenna was fascinated by Vale whom she proclaimed to be a "silly boy." We had a wonderful lunch prepared by cousin Karen. After lunch, we took a tour of Karen and Mike's retirement project--102 fruit trees, a half acre garden, retaining walls, landscaping projects, etc. We finished our celebration

In the evening, we were treated to a welcome by this bad boy. He's waiting for Dad to get some more rose bushes planted, so he can treat himself to his favorite delicacy. He's certainly on Dad's poop list!!

On another note, we're gearing up for the reunion. Dad and I spent a pleasurable afternoon on the Fourth searching out a location for our day in Bremerton. We finally settled on a day at Illahee Park in Bremerton. You can check out the park at: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Illahee We've had several reunions at the park so I think you will remember what a neat spot it is, and we found a sheltered picnic area close to the water and bathrooms. I know it sounds like a lot of work to haul food to Bremerton, but we're going to go the KFC, Safeway fruit/veggie plate, etc. route. We're planning on 2pm on Tuesday, July 22 which fits well with Grandma's schedule.

All is well. Life is rich and full. “There's no vocabulary for love within a family - love that's lived in but not looked at; love within the light of which all else is seen; the love within which all other love finds speech. This love is silent."-T S Eliot Love to you all. See you soon. Mom