So when is it time to stop a family reunion and either start another one or discontinue getting together altogether? I certainly don't have the answer, but obviously when one generation dies off, it is often not feasible to continue, simply because they are usually the glue that holds it together. For instance, now that both my parents are no longer living, it doesn't seem as "necessary" to have all their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren together for a reunion as it did when they were alive. The flip side is, that if we siblings don't attempt to stay connected or have a family reunion, we never see our brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces and their children. My dad has been gone for two years and we no longer have a Christmas get-together, but we are still planning to have a reunion in the summer. I don't know how well attended it will be or how long we will continue to organize one. It makes me very glad for Facebook which allows me to stay connected with nieces and nephews that I otherwise would rarely if ever communicate with.
On the Lehman side, both of Steve's parents are still living and so we still get together at Christmas and a few other times during the year. I know that when they are no longer alive, the times spent together will decrease dramatically. Steve and his siblings have wonderful memories of the Lehman reunion that was held (and still continues to be held) the third Sunday of August each year. There was always games and prizes for children and adults and they enjoyed playing and talking with their cousins. In recent years, attendance has really dropped off, as many of the next generation don't make this a priority to come to. I really can't blame them, as they have no idea who Uncle Harold or Aunt Betty are, or any of the other extended family members that attend.
On Sunday, we got together to celebrate my mother-in-law's 79th birthday. Steve's sisters, Doris and Nancy, suggested that we make the second Sunday of June a yearly Lehman reunion. They realized that most of our children no longer attend the other one in August and thought it would be fun to start a new one with Dad and Mom being the first generation. The cousins have plenty of memories from family times together in the past and probably until their children grow up, will make this one a priority to attend. We all agreed that it was a good idea and so begins a new family reunion.
Here are some photos from our 1st Lehman Family Reunion. There were also kid games, adult games and a cake walk, but I didn't capture any of those events on camera. Some of the adult games were pretty intense and competitive so it's probably best that none of that got recorded!
Steve's favorite bright, aqua-striped shirt has been a family joke. Imagine our surprise when Joel showed up in an identical one. Mel appears fascinated by them as well.
David asks Grandpa for advice on what is in the container that Kaylene is holding.
Dan mimics me holding my camera (with my bifocals) while Megan and Jeremy look on amused.
Julia turns 60!
Dan & Krista both turn 50 this year!
Chatting around the tables in Mel & Nancy's basement.
Mom's birthday cake.
Mom with 12 of her 22 great-grandchildren
Awstin missed the group picture so he gets an individual picture with Great-Grandma
Doris purchased helium balloons for Mom's birthday. In the first video, the great-grandkids sing Happy Birthday to her and in the second one they help her open the balloons. Each child got to take one balloon home. I love these videos! Who doesn't love balloons and to hear children sing?!?!
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