Wednesday, August 5, 2009

All in the Family

Today's Wonder of the World is...Family Reunions!

You know how you can tell if you had a great family reunion? You weigh at least three pounds heavier and your face hurts from smiling.
Don't weigh me. Just take my word for it: We spent a glorious long weekend in Kentucky hugging, laughing, telling tall tales, and eating way too much home cooking at two (count them--two!) family reunions. Both the Skaggs family (my dad's side) and the Farley family (my mom's side) reunited this weekend. I think both celebrations were the best we ever had. Really, they were!
You know what that means?
Break out the elastic pants!

And while you're at it, find some dental floss for all that sweet corn!
Some sweetheart even made cornbread the way Granny used to make it.

And to wash it all down?
Ale 8! It's tradition on the Skaggs side.

But the best part food wise?

Dessert, of course, made by my dear aunties.

The food was incredible as always, but it wasn't the only thing that made both reunions amazing.
So what was it?
I thought about this all the way home, and I think I've figured out contributing factors to reunion greatness.
1. Both took place in meaningful places.

My daddy's reunion took place at his parents' farm. My cousin Adam lives at the old home place now, but just being there started the memories flowing.
Plus, there's the creek to play in!

My mother's reunion was at my Uncle Bill's house. There was plenty of room for all the kids to play and lots of space for picnic blankets...

And for bean bag toss.

I mean Corn Hole.
(Did you know it was called that? I didn't until I found it here.)

2. We played together. And not just with balls and bean bags.
Some of my cousins brought music with them.

This branch of my family tree is just dripping with musical talent. So why is my little twig all dried up? One of the mysteries of life, I guess.

3. My Aunt Patricia brought out my Granny's old photo albums. There were a bunch of them.

We spent at least an hour flipping through pages and laughing over big hair, big eyeglasses, and little short shorts.

4. Puppies!

There were plenty of dogs and several puppies at both reunions. Puppies make anyone happy.

5. Watermelon! With or without the salt.

It's a perfect reunion food, plus if things go south, you can always spit seeds at each other!

Before you scoot, tell me. Have you had a family reunion yet this summer? What's your favorite part? Any traditions to share? Food or play wise?
Have a wonder-full Wednesday, y'all!
Love, Becky

14 comments:

Southern Living: Preppy Style said...

*Tear, tear* that we couldn't be there.

jama said...

Wow, loved all these photos. What a big beautiful family you have (on both sides)! *drooling at all the food*

Unknown said...

You have a lovely family! You are so very lucky! Ha ha! I have heard of cornhole before, but haven't played it. I've only played bean bag toss, LOL!

Reesha said...

How wonderful for you!
I was just reading my daily blogs about publishing and was getting all depressed, I wanted to stop reading blogs altogether.
Then I came to your post and it brightened up my day.
Not just because I'm attempting to write a scene with a family reunion in it, but because the pictures were so happy and I needed to think about something other than business for a while.

Yay for puppies! Actually, what always makes me laugh is trying to picture an angry puppy. They just don't get angry and look even cuter when they're trying to. :)

Anonymous said...

hey becky --- your face showldn'd hurt from smilimg
cause you got a built on smile anyway--
in other words i've never seen you not smiling

love roger and debbie

Anonymous said...

Wow. I want a southern family.
Our reunions are awful--the last one I went to I was the youngest there (not counting MY kids) by 20 + years. And half the people brought stuff they'd picked up at a deli or grocery store en route to the park.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Oh Jennifer, we missed you and Stu and Hollon too!

Hi Jama--the food was indeed drool worthy!

Hey TC, yes we are lucky that so many could come. And the weather was perfect.

Reesha, welcome to the blog. I think you're right...angry puppies do not exist.

Uncle Roger, you're a sweetheart. It was so good to see you!

Green girl, that's sad. We'd be happy to adopt you!

David Ebright said...

So glad you had a great family reunion.

HAH! If we were to have (remember I'm a Yankee transplant living in the South) a (gasp! dare I say it) family reunion... it would be on the evening news. The Hatfields n' McCoys 2010.

Should've seen the "interaction" between me n' my son's (soon to be ex) in-laws at his wedding reception. Lesson learned? Never put me at the same table with total loons.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Ooh boy, Jaxpop. I can hear the fireworks going off now!

lynsey. said...

You summed it up perfect! I am so thankful for you, your family, and our chance to spend time together. I am so grateful Mike and I were able to be there!

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Too funny, we just had a little reunion this past Sat! Kevin's side~
Pictures are usually my favorite part too.

Elastic pants, lol! Wooooo.... I think I gained more like 5lbs this go round. I took a blackberry and a blueberry pie, and Kevin made "baked potato" salad.

Looks like both reunions were wonderful for you. Gotta love those old creeks. And good family music!

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

PS! I forgot to say we play corn hole too... and yes, we call it that... ha!

Rosemary said...

Looks like such fun!!!
Thanks for the post Becky!!
Rosemary

Susie Q said...

Oh what fun! I so love such events...none of these for our families this year. So enjoyed seeing all of your fun...puppies DO make everyone happy! :)
Love,
Sue