Family Reunion

It seems to me that the greatest challenge in all the world is getting along with people, especially big groups of people.  We are all so different and see the world in a variety of ways.  Coming to a meeting of minds is often quite challenging, even within a family.  And so it was for our first official family reunion.  For the first time this year, our children were in charge; Audrey and Cliff specifically.  They had in mind a simple, inexpensive beach event with everyone finding their own place to stay.  Ben's Jessica felt that staying together would be much more fun so she found a place to rent in Santa Cruz.  We out-of-towners all went in together to finance it.  So we spent three days together in a lovely house in Capitola, home of the beach of my childhood.

Audrey and Cliff's idea of leaving the days open to our choice of activities and Jessica's idea of all staying together came together in a most delightful way.  Our three days were filled with beaching (for some of us; Layne and Reed did not stick a toe in the sand), playing games, eating out, cooking in, walking, going to the park and the aquarium.  It was lots of fun being together; everyone got along well and enjoyed each other's company.  There were few photos, no formal ones, no special shirts or exchange of family histories; just being together having fun.  I think everyone left feeling like this was something worth repeating.

Everyone was there except Gerald, Frances and kids.  We missed them.  Perhaps next year we can say that everyone in the family was together for one happy week.  I hope that is how it will go.  Chris and Jessica will be in charge.  Jes says they are already making plans!

Our family, lining up to visit the "Mystery Spot."

Experiencing weird phenomena at the "Mystery Spot.

Getting to California is a priority for us now that we are here in Idaho pretty much alone as far as family goes.  Flying always seems to be the easiest way.  Layne made all the arrangements for our usual stand-by flight from Boise to San Francisco.  But all the flights filled up for both Monday and Tuesday.  Besides that, there was an airplane accident on one of the runways at San Francisco airport, causing it to close.  We settled on driving.  So we spent Monday getting there and Friday getting back, with Isaiah for company on the return trip.  He asked to come and spend the week with us.  So our boy is here, filling our home with his youthful spirit.  We love it.  Audrey and Cliff will arrive this weekend to pick up Chase, who is finishing his first year at BYUI.  He will have a short time home with his family before returning to Idaho to start one of his own.  He will marry his lovely Morgan in August.  Hum.  That puts us in the position of potentially becoming great-grandparents.  Somehow I never imagined that I would ever be old enough for that!

Digging a huge hole in the sand was a daily pursuit for the kids.
Here is Ben's William doing his part.

The water was cold, but boogie boarding was not to be missed.
Posed here are my Jessica's Gemma and Ben's Alexis, Jacqueline
and William in front

Our older grandkids:  Scott, Rayne and part of Allegra,
in the backyard of our rental.

The hot tub was the place for the tots:  Reed's Bruce, and foster
daughter Mari; Ben's Zachary and Abigail.

Some of the in between kids took to drawing.  Here is Gemma,
Alexis and Jacqueline.

More back yard activity as we take turns gathering around the
fire for some'mores.  William has his back to us, Gemma, Reed and
Allegra are in the foreground.

So our life continues to be filled with company.  It may be that people are our source of greatest joy or sorrow; our greatest challenge.  But I'm so glad for it.  I love having lots of people in my life.