Our first family reunion

The angel of death has visited Steve's family taking one person a year for the last three years. First it was his grandfather, a true sweetheart of a man. Next his grandmother, straight as they come. And last year it was his aunt, a fight with cancer lost. While each death has held sorrow, my mother in law and her four remaining sisters decided to celebrate the lives of each of these remarkable people by hosting our very first family reunion. Steve, M, and I spent an action packed afternoon in Idaho. Every activity had significance.

Steve's grandma made homemade donuts for her six girls. It is a lengthy process that requires teamwork, but it is well worth the effort. The last time the six girls were together before Steve's aunt died they made the donuts. I didn't get a picture of the finished product. I was too busy eating them.

Steve's grandma was also a master at handicrafts.
We tied a quilt to honor her.

Chairs were set up in memory of Steve's grandpa
who liked to sit and visit.

My mother in law led a rousing family trivia game complete with prizes. We also raced to "name that ancestor" and identify the flowers in grandpa's yard. Not to mention the guys against girls relay race where the girls donned an apron, necklace, and slippers and the boys sported boots, white shirt, and tie.

While everyone's attention was on the game,
M managed to sneak some candy.

Steve's grandpa lived for fishing. The youngest members of the family spent some time catching the biggest fish in town.

M got the prize for catching the most fish.

There was a water balloon toss where Steve and I dominated, but we might have had an unfair advantage since we were the only adults paired together. In the next round, M and I made a great team.

There was a balloon release for Steve's aunt who loved life.
50 balloons were to be released.

Only 49 went heavenward.

No day is complete without a few bumps and my in laws found themselves with wacky brakes. Thankfully, the problem was quickly resolved and we met at the cemetery.

M loved playing with her cousins and running through the sprinklers.

We had a wonderful time and were so impressed by the thought and effort each sister put into making the day a fitting tribute and cherished memory.