A Trip Down Memory Lane....

What a great day.... lots of memories.  Spent the day at Kennekuk County Park in Danville, IL enjoying the company of family members rarely seen.  I love my life but I sure do miss the family fun we had growing up.  Every Saturday night we all crowded into my grandparents home and played cards, Euchre, as soon as us kids were old enough to learn it and understand the rules, while grandma watched Dallas..... completely engrossed, twirling her hair while we laughed and played cards into the wee hours of the morning.  Good Times!  Eating grandpa's popcorn from a paper grocery bag.  Those were the days!

Didn't take long and my uncle moved with his family and so did we.... all that fun came to a screeching halt.  Those adorable cousins of mine, who I will always remember from grandma and grandpa's house are now grown with kids of their own.  I got to see two of their families today along with my aunt and uncle..... such cuties!

The only way to coral all the littles.... while they're eating.  So cute. 

Every Reunion we have an auction.... people bring crafts and toys, sometimes just junk.... and it all gets sold to help fund the next year's reunion.  Little Ruby, named after Great Grandma, stole the show..... she told grandma she wanted to buy this weetch!  So cute!  If anyone touched it she got mad.... She's going to be a little heartbreaker.... her poor daddy!



 

We spent a lot of time at the parks growing up.... walking the trails, fishing, picnics, school activities, the beach..... so many good memories.

 

We always have the reunion at the beautiful barn...White Oak Barn.

The dogs were the second highlight of the day.... everyone, especially the kids, were enthralled with the doggies.  The Russian Wolfhound, named Merlin, was a huge dog.... very gentle and sweet.  The husky was a Nervous Nellie but once people started to disperse she chilled.  My son was in love, he wants a husky.

We played many, many games of volleyball at these reunions.  Man did we have a lot of fun.  Amazing memories of grandpa and his brother, Richard.... both gone now.... playing Volleyball with all the young'in's.....

 

We have the reunion every two years.... last time this building was not started yet... it's an education building right next door to the barn... we always came here for field trips in school.... check out this door.  Wow!  It think I'm in love.

 

Right down the street, is another park..... Kickapoo State Park......... I ran cross country here in high school.....   Today, on our way to the barn we cut through Kickapoo to get to Kennekuk and saw a huge group of kids, all decked out in school sweat-suits.... gearing up for a meet.  Great memories. 

 

I hate the drive to spend a couple hours but I wouldn't miss these memories or the short visit with long lost cousins for anything..... it's always a wonderful time!

 

Hope you had a great Saturday...