Monday Mumbles

The Mumbles are generally ten random things that I feel like grumbling about, right? WELL...we just had a GREAT weekend at my family reunion on my father's side, and instead I'd like to "mumble" with photos and give you some insight into half the chaos that influenced ME, growing up. (I apologize to FB friends. These photos will be repeats for you! But please, read along, for the "insight" portion of the show.)




1. The reunion would never have been if it weren't for this woman, my grandmother, "Granny", my dad's mom, mother of 9. My memories of "family reunion" always consisted of a road trip to a small town in Missouri where a member of my Granny's husband, my dad's dad, lived. They lived near a large lake, had a "barn" house (old barn converted into a home), an in-ground pool, and lots of crazy people. The last time we had one of those was August 2000, mainly due to the lady of the barn house passing and the tradition slipped away. Now that Granny and my late grandfather are parents of 9, grandparents of 21, and great-grandparents of 19, soon to be 23, it seemed a perfect time to revitalize the reunion, with Granny's family as the core unit. This year in particular was perfect because Granny turned 90, her middle child turned 60, and her baby turned 50.

2. At this small town in Missouri, there was a small inn. At this small inn, there was a wonderful in-ground pool, a covered picnic area, shuffleboard, a slide and a swing set. I couldn't wait to wake up and go swinging. I love swinging. Present tense, not past. It was only fitting that the place chosen to host our revitalizing reunion had the following characteristics:

• was an old barn converted into a bed and breakfast with 21 rooms
• an in-ground pool
• large dining area and patio
• swing sets
• acres upon acres to play on

OJ enjoying the wooden bench facing bench platform swing

EJ also enjoying the swing set (she really was having a good time!)

3. Swimming. Those reunions dating back from 1984ish to 2000 had one major theme - swimming. When we awoke at the inn, we went swimming. When we made it down to the barn house a few hours after waking, we would get in their pool, going down the slide and off the diving board for hours upon hours. When we loaded up to go on the lake, we were swimming at the "beach", off the pontoons, or jumping off cliffs. This year was no different. Well, minus the cliffs, jet skis, and pontoons. And muddy water.

My brother Jimmy giving the water 2 thumbs up

Till looking like a grown child

Big brother shark chasing little brother guppy

TO showing off his skills in the deep end

4.  Another tradition was the magic show. My uncle...who married my dad's sister....began performing magic shows for all the family. My earliest magic show memory was actually a sidenote of the show, but instead involved my little brother (above). Before the show one night, my brother thought it only appropriate that the national anthem be sung, as in sporting events. So at the age of 4 or 5, he stepped up on a cooler, stuck his chest out far and proud, and belted the Star Spangled Banner.

The kids always get a front row seat to the show

5. Every year, someone would always bring a new toy or gadget to share. My cousin Billy was always a good source of interesting and physical activities. This year, he brought out a couple of kites, and the small/medium kids were instantly drawn to them.

Billy, left, explains to my cousin Andrew (yes I have a cousin in the 4th grade) and TO how, exactly, to manipulate the strings in order to manipulate the kite

Billy helps TO get the hang of it

 6. Games. Games games games. My family loves them, the aunts and uncles and the kids alike. We might be a tad competitive, but it's all in mostly good fun. Below are two photos of the "boy time" game of ultimate frisbee. I do believe we walked away from this game with zero injuries. Success!

And a reunion for THIS family wouldn't be proper without at least one game of Trivial Pursuit

7. Relaxation. Whether it be on the boats or beach at the lake, pool side in the lounge chairs, or napping in the afternoon at the inn, everyone found their quiet spot. TO and EJ enjoyed the hammocks....almost as much as I did.

8. If we can, we celebrate. As I mentioned earlier, the occasion was perfectly planned in 2011 for the 90th, 60th, and 50th birthdays. We already had a big bash in March for Granny, we had a great party in July for my Aunt Mary, and since the "baby" turns 50 August 25th, we capped the weekend off with a birthday party.

Loved his cake. We weren't sure how he got INTO or OUT OF this little train. Apparently he's always wanted a vanity plate that read "9 of 9". I think it'd be cute - he should do it!

9. Nothing finishes a good weekend off like a great sunset. If you click the link, you'll see the full moon past the plant and the trees.

10. I found it only fitting for a family reunion to end on a note of continued tradition. Here, my cousin Billy enjoys some quiet time with his beautiful, pregnant wife Joyce. We can't wait to meet 1 of 4 new family members coming this November and December!!