Family Reunions...

I remember having family reunions at Lions Park when I was younger. Uncle Carl had gatherings at his place in Herriman many times. My Dad hosted many reunions at his home too, he loved family parties. I have been organizing family reunions since 2010. We have had many family members pass away since then and it not the same without them. Aunt Kay is now the only living sibling in my Dad's family. She will be 80 years old in December. I had the thought that it would be nice to give her an early surprise birthday party. Her favorite color is purple so all the decorations were in that color. She began to cry as soon as she saw the purple flowers, tablecloths, and the picture collage I made her. I also wrote her a poem. She told me that she never liked her birthday because it was right before Christmas. She said this was the best birthday she had ever had! I know she felt loved. She commented that is was, "such a wonderful day--I will never forget it!!! I felt like I won the lottery!!"

I asked my niece Mandy to make Aunt Kay a birthday cake. Mom helped her learn how to make and decorate cakes. Mandy added a secret ingredient to the cake... chokecherry syrup! Grandma Federer made the best chokecherry jam. We picked a lot of chokecherries for her.

I know it's important to keep family ties strong. We are scattered all over and with the busyness of life it's not always easy to find a date that works for the majority. I was pleased that we had about 30 attend the reunion this year. I enjoyed visiting with everyone. 

Cousin Cathy with Aunt Kay, it's been many years since we've seen Cathy.

Big hug for my brother Marion from cousin Cindy.

Cousins Wendall, Cathy and Randy 

Debbie and Mandy

Cousins Cindy, Brenda, Aunt Kay, Eileen, Cathy and Debbie 

My niece Holley and great-niece Elizabeth

My brother Marion, me, my brother Lloyd and his best girl Rhonda

I love my big brothers!

Marion has gone from smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, to only two or three a day... and he's doesn't drink at all. That makes me so happy!

Federer Family 2019

I was also happy the some of Grandma 

Federer's cousins came, Joyce and Bob Parker.

I stayed at Lloyd and Rhonda's ranch. My cousins Brenda and Doug also were there so we had a good time. It was cool in the mornings but warmed up during the day. Sunday morning it was 35 degrees. I went for a walk every morning, it was peaceful.

The icing on the cake was meeting my newest great-niece Kendall Jo. She is so perfect. I really enjoyed my visit with Julie and her beautiful family.