More Family Reunions...

Well, I almost feel as though I took an unplanned bloggy break! I am so far behind in visiting all of you, and hope to do some catching up...but I thought I'd better at least check in here and say hello!

Last week, the girls had Vacation Bible School. It's a strange feeling for this home schooling mom to drive them to "school" every morning by 9:00 and have them gone for three hours! But it was a nice little change of pace, and the girls absolutely love going every year.

Then, Saturday morning, all of the clan on hubby's side of the family headed out to the beach for their aunt's 80th birthday and big family reunion.
I was excited to go and see everyone...and to see the ocean itself, since it had been awhile for me!
The weather was a little windy, and the sun would keep peeking out from behind the clouds every half hour or so, and then go back into hiding, but the weather was actually much better than I had heard it would be, so I was thrilled.

But back to the family... my husband's aunt had come from miles away and her children went in together and rented a beach house for several weeks as a gift to her. I'm still not sure why they always choose the Oregon coast for these occasions, since so many come from all over the country- but it certainly works well for us!

And because my husband and all of his many siblings no longer have their parents, being with extended family and honoring their mother's sister on this milestone birthday was a special event.
Aunt J. is such a gracious, young and vibrant woman at 80! I had her pose with my husband, just before we were leaving...
Half-way through, our girls began playing with a never-before-met second cousin who is the same age as my oldest. She and her family came all the way from Virginia and the three girls became fast friends.

When it was time for us all to part, I suggested maybe these two nine year old cousins could become penpals, and it seems I must have hit on a good idea...e-mail addresses were promptly exchanged. (OK, not the kind where they can practice their penmanship, but hey...)
And as someone who has recently discovered cousins of my own, I was so tickled that the girls got to meet some new cousins they didn't know they had, too!

In fact, I think everyone had such a super time...

there were skits that the kids put on...

Old fashioned potato sack races...
And a kite to fly... Not to mention, so much food that they were sending it home with everyone.
Ribs in particular.
They were packing the leftovers and loading our cars with it as we would leave...I felt a little like the Flintstones when that big side of ribs is plunked onto their car and it tips it over.

But honestly, it was such a nice, relaxing time. This large extended family as a whole seemed to possess that rare combination of warmth, casualness, wholesomeness- and with just a tiny dash of elegance thrown in.

It was good to chat with so many we seldom see...or as in the case of most of the children- never met before!

And nice to simply stroll on the beach during one of the sun breaks, as the strong sea breeze blew at us. Now, far be it for me to pass rumors around, but there is some talk about the family camping trip possibly changing over to a rental house at the beach next year. At least for part of it.

Could it be true??? After decades of the same old campground???
Dare I really hope?
Is it too early to start packing???