I am a little slow in getting pictures posted from our Linn Reunion. It was two weeks ago today and it was really an awesome day. First of all, we survived the incredible heat and humidity that day. Second of all, sixty-two family members braved that heat and humidity to enjoy time together and lots of good food. So for all those family and friends, here's a few pics from that great day...........
As descendents of Francis Marion Linn, we gathered for the 82nd year in row. That's right! First reunion was held in 1929! As the "postcard sender/coordinator" of our reunions, I love to make it fun, so there is always a sign-in notebook and a chance to win some prizes..........
We gathered once again at the Lehigh Ballpark Shelter. It works well because there's a kitchen and some shade. For many years the reunions were held at Dolliver Park just west of Lehigh, but using the ballpark shelter works great now.
I began setting up the fun at a little after 9:00 a.m. that morning. My helper was my niece, Sue Ellen, pictured below, along with Zane, son of Amber Linn. He was a real cutie. Sue Ellen was a real trooper as she helped set up the tables and sweep and just generally be very helpful! And Amber's boyfriend, Tony, was a big help, too, because he brought big fans that really helped keep the air flowing. Smart man!
Here's Zane again........
he loved these squishy bracelets. For the past few years, I've bought about a dozen toy items at the dollar store and the kids get to pick something and they think that's fun. We had more kids than expected this year and that is great so I will be buying more toy goodies at the dollar store for next year!
I love watching family members enjoy time together. So does my cousin, Bette, seated in the chair. She used to be the "postcard sender/coordinator" and passed it on to the next generation in 1996, which was me. I love being able to continue to keep the reunion going!
This year almost all of Bette's family members came to the reunion. Kathy (above) came from Florida, while Terry and wife, Kas, came from Illinois and their daughters and family came, too. They all camped out at Brushy Creek Park, east of Lehigh and celebrated "Christmas in July" along with time at the reunion. Smart idea!!
If there was an award for sweetest smile and maybe sweetest couple, it would go to my cousin Sharon and her husband, Dave. I am hoping that I convinced them to come north for a visit to Minnesota one day. :-)
There are always photo albums available to look at and recall past reunions or times when we were all a whole lot younger. There is also a book that has guest lists from the reunions that date back to 1959, plus other tidbits from past reunions.
When I'm planning for each reunion, I seem to always find some item that will make a good prize and these colorful pots from Michael's were perfect. Thanks to really cheap, end-of-the-season plants at Wal-mart, the winners even got real flowers mixed with some artificial stuff. :-)
And the food!! The food always makes us smile because there is always chicken, lots of hot dishes, salads, chips, dessert, you-name-it and it's probably on the table!
While Kathy, above, came from the farthest distance - Florida - the oldest member attending was cousin, Shirley (Linn) Goettinger. I think she's 85 because she and my dad were born the same year. They were both just tiny babies at that first reunion in 1929 and the paper recorded it, of course. I love reading old newspaper clippings of events because you found out who went where and really knew what was going on!
The kids enjoyed the watermelon. This picture of Joshua (I think it's Joshua, somebody correct me if I'm wrong) doesn't need words to describe his pleasure in eating that watermelon. :-)
Interestingly, the boys were fascinated with the youngest family member..........Brock.
This is Jacob in the photo below and he was having so much fun talking to little Brock. I think this is my favorite picture from the whole reunion............
My mom's favorite part of the reunion was meeting cousin, Marilyn, who came from Omaha. My mom had never met her but was childhood friends with Marilyn's mother, Thelma. My mom even had a grade school picture of the girls together that she shared with Marilyn. It was fun to watch them visiting and I am so glad Marilyn could come.
Here are a couple winners of the flowers........Aaron recently bought his first house, so now he can decorate. :-) If that smile on cousin Patty's face looks familiar, it's because she is sister to Sharon who I mentioned earlier. There were lots of smiles and laughter in spite of the heat!
However, the heat just about did me in. This photo of my cousin, Kathy and me was taken about 3:00 in the afternoon. I had barely taken time to sit down and even my mom commented that my face was just a little too red!
More smiling faces.......my daughter, Collette and husband Daryl........
And lots of laughter was going on when I took this picture and I don't know who told what story, but they were sure having a good time in the telling. :-)
This happy couple had news to share.........
It's Nate and Cassie who announced they'll be getting married next June so they'll be newlyweds at next years reunion. They were also winners of one of the antique candy dishes I found at Antiques and Uniques in Henderson. I shared a story about my grandpa and how he would offer us candy before dinner and it always made my grandma say......."you'll spoil their dinner". I can see him now, getting the white bag of candy from the dime store out of the cupboard.......... :-)
And another winner was Joey. There were three brother.........Joey, Joshua, and Jacob who I met for the first time, so I might not have them straight.....I know some family member will help me with this, if I have their names wrong. I had no idea this plush dinosaur would be so coveted by the kids. There was also a pink polka dot piggy bank that Katie won.
And here's my cousin, Janet, with that youngest family member, Brock. Janet and I spent lots of time together as kids and were friends as well as cousins!
Now, in the "how could your forget to take pics of the kids in the park and also not get a picture of your grandson?"......well, I am guilty. I guess it was the heat because I looked over at the playground and saw the kids having fun but I never took a single picture. And so the only one I got of my grandson is this hat shot while his mom Collette is mixing up the salad she brought. I'll do better next year!
And so that's it for this years Linn Reunion. It all started in Lehigh, Iowa. It's my home town and I still see it like it was in the 50's when I grew up. I'm so glad when I can go home and share memories with family and friends. Cousin Kevin (son of Bette) brought an album filled with antique postcards and he let me take a photo of this one...........
Hope you enjoyed the visit to our reunion (and I do realize this is probably only enjoyable to family and friends) and "Greetings from Lehigh, Iowa"!!!
For all my quilty friends, see you tomorrow with a little something "on the line" and a week of fun with
Jacquelynne's book tour. Have a lovely Sunday!! I'm sure I am enjoying the day because I am retreating at Bonny's all this weekend! See you tomorrow..............
Sandi
