Family Reunion

This past week, we traveled to Irene, SD to the Broomtree Resort and Conference Center to attend my family's reunion. It was so fun! As always, it was too short and it was hard to say goodbye. Several times during the reunion, I felt our Dad, who has been gone for 9 years, very close. All of my siblings were there and 7 of the 9 spouses. Only about half of the grandkids were there. As they grow up, marry and take jobs all over the country, it's hard for them to be able to come. But we always miss them. I feel so blessed to be part of such a great family. My brothers and sisters are exemplary people and I am always inspired to do better in my own life when I'm with them. And my mom? She is absolutely the best! This time, we had Emily and Preston and Ben and Shannon and sweet, sweet baby Macey to come home to, but it was still sad to leave. Besides our own kids and their families, my brothers and sisters are who I hope to spend eternity with!

The view from the deck of the lodge. South Dakota has had a lot of rain and is very lush and green this year.

One of the group games

Sunset
We always have a girls' craft activity. What do the men and boys do during that time? I don't really know!!

Two of my six sisters, Laura and Susan, at Lake Marindahl.
Joanna and Janet at Lake Marindahl

Group picture with my mom right in the center. This picture was followed by the infamous marshmallow fight:

Macey's Day Out

Friday, Macey came to visit while her mom and dad were house hunting. She was very good and we had fun with her. It's a joy to see her every week and to see how much she's learning and growing.

4th Fun

Rene went out west over the 4th of July to a family reunion. Ben, Shannon and Macey went to Chicago to visit her dad, grandma and other family. I'm not sure what Joseph, Tracy and Afton did. Those of us left in northcentral Wisconsin had a fun time. Janet was off work on Friday, so Joanna, Janet and I went down to Wisconsin Dells to the outlet mall there. After shopping, we went into Wisconsin Dells proper to walk around. It's very, very, very touristy, but we enjoyed a short walk along the river to see the dells.

Joanna and Janet tried out this machine that tests their love connection. Sadly, neither of them scored very high.

On the 4th itself, Preston and Emily went up to Tomahawk, where Preston ran in a 10k and did well. Afterwards, we met up for a picnic in one of the parks that Janet has worked at this summer. Preston did the grilling.

At the park, there is a fitness trail that Janet helped build. We checked out our fitness levels and Joanna and Janet performed some gymnastics moves reminiscent of Shannon Miller.

We came home for cake made by Emily and Preston. Joanna, Janet, Emily and Preston drove down to Mosinee to see the fireworks and then came home for sparklers. It was a relaxing and laidback 4th.