I just got back Saturday night from 2.5 wonderful weeks in Ohio. My mom had to commit everyone to being there at the same time a year ago to make sure all 6 girls, 4 husbands and 12 grandkids would be there. I suppose you could call it a "reunion" but that just sounds like we're so big and spread out that we have to have one to get together and that it's not just gauranteed that we'll all see each other every year, which is kind of weird and kind of sad to me, so I'm trying to put off calling it that.As soon as I set foot in Ohio I put off as many responsibilities that I could since I knew they'd be awaiting me eagerly as I stepped back into Texas. Can you blame me for extending a week longer than planned? I tried to stay off the internet as much as possible too so I could really feel like I was on vaca, hence my absence. Our first few days were just at the house and then the next week we went to Camp Willson, a YMCA camp, then back to the mothership.
I travelled with the girls alone and cringed at having to pay for a ticket for Hazel. I took her the day after her 2nd bday so Josh could be there on it and we'd have to pay the extra ticket regardless because you can't have two lap kids. Which I have to say, I was kind of glad I was forced to not have the option because the cheap side of me may have won out and made for an especially miserable flight. More on that in a later post.
To do my trip justice I'm going to break it up in different posts mostly for my own journaling. In a nutshell, it was a whirlwind of activities as it always is in the Southam household. I arrived early as did all but my oldest sister, Amy. It was so fun to have most of the girls together for a few days. I have to slip in an apology to my Ohio friends here if any are reading--sorry I didn't get together with you! With such limited time there and rarely seeing my sisters and their families any more, we just spent most of the time with each other and catching up. I realize now that I should have just planned early on to get together with a lot of friends on one night, next time. It was such a great trip and I'm rejuvenated which I desperately needed! Yay for families and vacations!
Josh's family (his extended) has a contract that all of the spouses of his aunts and uncles had to sign when the joined the family where they promised to go to a FUMI (Family Unit Most Important) reunion every other year and each sibling had a turn to be in charge of it. They take it pretty seriously too, notorized and everything with all sorts of values spelled out in it that they promised to uphold. I am trying to get my family to make some sort of similar commitment, but I doubt it will be any where as formal as that.
Q: How often are you able to get together with your entire immediate family you were raised in?
Q: When you are together, do you spend time with any of your friends?
Q: Do any of you have "reunion traditions" or schedules?
6 comments:
So was Jill there? I didn't see her in any pics.
Don't you just love times like this? I saw all my sisters except Ruth last weekend and it was fabulous--I'm looking forward to Christmas when all of us will be together again!
And as far as friends go...I don't really sweat it. When we went to Utah I got together with two of my REALLY good friends, but there were a lot more people that I just didn't see, because I knew I wanted to focus on my family first.
oh, and btw, Hazel looks like mini Afton! SOOO adorable!
I'm so blessed to have all of my family within an hour drive of Cincinnati. Honestly, it is the only reason I stay in a city that I don't really like very much!
After having lived all over the world, I am greatful to be able to make a few phone calls and have everyone together in a matter of hours. It also helps that I come from a relatively small family, totaling less than 20 people, including my first cousins.
On another note, I think your friends totally understand why you didn't see them during your vacation. It looks like you had your hands full with all of those nieces and nephews :o) I would choose my sister over my friends any day!
I can't wait to hear all about your trip. There's only 3 kids in my family & I'm the only one with kids, so we usually see each other once or twice a year. There are 6 kids in Glen's family, all but 1 married w/children and we usually only see them all at once every other year at the 'family reunion.' We all give input about where we want to go and what we want to do.
I'm glad you guys think it's okay to not see your friends as much when you're visiting home. I just feel bad since I really won't see some of those friends for such a long time, but I really don't see my family much either, I hope nobody thinks I don't want to see them!
Oh, and good eyes Rachael. Jill was at home getting last minute things ready for her wedding...that didn't happen which you may have heard about...
And thanks for thinking Hazel looks like me!!! I still can't see it, but I LOVE hearing that!
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