Reunion Weekend

On July 31, we hosted the inaugural Williams Family Reunion at the house.  In April, I suggested I would like to be done with the house by the weekend of July 10th so we could host a family reunion at the house that would coincide with Mamaw's Birthday.  She would have turned 98 on July 12th.  Obviously, we didn't make the July 10th date.  When it was becoming clear we weren't going to make July 10th, I decided we had to make it in July.  July would have to be close enough.  

I also thought it was probably the last chance we would have to get together in the house we've been gathering at for over 60 years.  

If I'm being honest, I was nervous.  I wasn't sure my family would think it was appropriate for me - a grandchild - to be putting together a family reunion.  I took a deep breath and suggested it to my Mom.  She was on board!  She is (almost) always on board with my big ideas.  We set the date of July 31 and that was that.  

We all worked hard to get finished by July 31.  There are still some tiny things that need to be done - little things here and there.  No one worked harder than my Mom, Dad and Robin those last two weeks.  They were able to get things done during the week while Scott and I couldn't be there.  Mom and Robin worked tirelessly to get the house clean and ready for the party.  I am so grateful.

It was a great evening with friends and family!  

Mom and Robin set up all the tables and decorations.  Robin graciously brought her prized music boxes to use as center pieces on each table.  Mom and Robin pulled together pictures of the family and brought them as well.  They were on the table in the dining room and on the mantle in Denny's room.  My Dad took a bunch (like 1200) of pictures from Mom's scanning and put them into a slide show.  It played on the television in the distance in the first picture.  

Mom and Robin also set up games, which Mamaw would have loved.  They were a big hit!  I think nearly everyone got in on at least one of the games.

We ended up with nearly 40 people who got to enjoy the food, games, and friendship.  I am so thankful for all those who made it.  It was a truly special event.  Below are more pictures of the crew.  I'm not sure if I got a picture of everyone, but I sure tried.  

I really wanted to make t-shirts, but Scott respectfully asked if t-shirts could NOT be sponsored by us.  I agreed it would be a big expense and actually rather difficult to manage.  Mom and I discussed other ideas.  We finally settled on Christmas ornaments.  It felt like the perfect thing!  Christmas was always such a special time at Mamaw's house, so it seemed fitting to have a Christmas ornament as the memory for this event.  I bought the supplies; Mom provided the labor of putting them together.  They turned out beautifully!  

At the end of the party, we all gathered on the front porch for a group photo.  I adore this photo.  It truly marks the celebration and culmination of the journey of the Myrtle House renovations.  I am so proud of the work we did.  I am so proud of how my family pitched in to help.  I am eternally grateful for all these people.  My family.  My history.