I feel sorry that I didn’t spend my usual time grabbing some formal family portraits on the 1st of July, but I have some sweet photographs, regardless. I took some at the elders’ table, but ladies, none of you would want me to post the photos capturing you chowing down on all of that great food. Right?
Thanks and blessings to my wonderful family. Margy you provided such a beautiful space for us to celebrate and Barb, the food was remarkable, as is always! Now I know that our traditional pasta salad is called Dill Pickle salad. How did I miss that all of these years?
Barbara, TJ and Sadie Witbeck
This post will be heavy on the images and sketchy on the reflections. However, let it be known that yet another reunion weekend has left me feeling super nostalgic and grateful.
June 30th meant the highway drive on roads lined with Canola fields and big blue sky. We set up our tent and relished an evening of magic, song and love, catching the early arriving family and those who live in Raymond, Alberta already.
Navy, or as others call her, Bean…daughter to Mack and Kecia…grand daughter to Margy Witbeck. New sketchbook. New markers.
Cousins, Sutton and Maverick.
Went to check out the beautiful home that Jess and Penny have been building…and met these two along the way.
Beautiful Maisey Witbeck and her gorgeous daughter, Bowie.
After hanging out and loving the beautiful space, we decided to go up to the Lodge and see Auntie Eleanor. No photographs of her, but we hung out, looked out a family album and then left the family room, for her bedroom so that we could pour over old mementos. Among them, these treasures. The problem with taking photos of photos is the glaring and reflection. But, these are nice to have.
Eleanor Moors and Ted Witbeck, on their wedding day.
Little baby, Laura Lee. I hope that I will receive corrections in spelling where I make mistakes.
My little cousin, Teddy (Thump) with a baby goat.
Laura Lee is in the middle and that would be cousin, Barbara on the right. Is that Cecil on the left? Help me, peeps.
Laura Lee, Jo, Barbara and Cecil.
Auntie Eleanor said that these birds were drawn by her Dad for her, so art done by my Grandfather John Moors.
I loved our little visit. Back at Margy’s, the tent photo, a wonderful family dinner of pulled pork and potato salad and then, the big bonfire, with great music and lots of singing.
My photo of beautiful baby Bowie on the trampoline.
I will include our playlist of songs as soon as Heidi sends them on to me. I don’t think it was until about 1:00 in the morning that we all made our way to bed for the night. What an exceptional day!! I loved being with my cousin, Margy, again! Loved sharing her grand babies with her and really was grateful to share this day with my son.
Photograph credit here, Maisey.
Photo Credit: Maisey Hicken campfire snuggles
Next day = Parade Day.
Got ice. Taped red and white checker table clothes to tables. Grabbed some coffee from the gas station. Ready to roll! Erin, Doug, Linda and Steven joined the family on the parade route and the fun began.
Parade opening…four Mounties and the colour guard. It’s the same every year!
John (my nephew), Douglas (son-in-law) and James (son)
Steven (Kath’s grandson) and Erin (Kath’s daughter)
Cecil (my cousin) little Lily (Cecil and Dianne’s grand daughter) and Dianne
Auntie Ruth and Danny
Auntie Jackie and Auntie Ruth
Nephews Levi and Greg are in this photo. (Recently learned that we refer to our cousins’ children as Nieces and Nephews.) WHOOP! Congratulations on your entry in this year’s parade.
Back to the house for our meal sharing and then the program and candy toss.
Dinner: Traditional Pulled Pork, home cooked beans, dill pickle salad, coleslaw and Caesar salad. No close ups of plates this year as I was too busy taking photos of my grand son.
Chalk activity as designed by Eva.
Chalk drawing, thanks to Eva.
The hostess with the most-est up on the platform, Margy. My beautiful Auntie Eleanor checking out the swaths of people.
Sadie playing the ukelele during the family program. Somewhere Over the Rainbow Cousin Clayton, holding the Mic.
Father and son playing a bit in the sand.
My family in the family program…singing Jackson. So good. I had a tear here.
The candy toss for children ages 0-4. Thanks, Penny!
The candy toss, ages 4 to adult…much smaller crowd this year allowed for different age categories from usual. No photos of adult category because I was filling my shirt at the time.
I have unbelievable love for my family and feel very nostalgic after a weekend in southern Alberta. I’m posting a few family reunion memories here. Please, family, if you see photographs that you don’t have, just right click and save them to your archives. I love you all!
Be safe this summer!
