The whole reason for our trip to San Diego was for a family reunion. My grandmother (my last remaining grandparent) turns 90 this year, but even though her birthday is in December, we decided to hold her "party" in July since that was the best time for everyone in the family to travel. My entire extended family was there and it was so, so delightful to see them all.
Saturday, July 15th was the big event. Family and friends took over the cultural hall in my grandmother's ward building for a luncheon and picture taking. We ate catered BBQ (though they did not give us enough rolls so I had to run to Albertson's to buy more) and Costco cake. (I have a longstanding love of Costco cake.) My mom did a lot of the planning and her efforts were very much appreciated.
There's not much to report from the actual event. There was a lot of catching up and socializing. And eating.
My cousin Brittany also put together a short little slideshow of my grandmother's life. She has a great story. And then we gathered together for some photos.
Here's my grandma (center) with some of her friends.
This is my Uncle Ron's family. (Though technically Ron is my dad's cousin.) He lived with my grandparents when he was in college and has always been treated like a fourth sibling.
This is my Aunt Cheryl's family. She was the oldest child in the family. She and her husband Bill had five children and I count that her children have had 13 great-grandchildren (though more are probably still forthcoming).
Here's my side of the family. My dad was the middle child and only surviving son. (They had a brother named Edward who died the day he was born.) My parents had four children and we've produced another 11 great-grandchildren.
And here's my Aunt Debbie (youngest child) and her family. Debbie and Mark added six kids and nine great-grandchildren to the family. There's a 10th baby on the way and I suspect more forthcoming.
I always find it amazing how your progeny grows exponentially. From one couple came three children, 15 grandchildren, and 33.5 great-grandchildren. Simply incredible. My grandmother is a pretty incredible woman who left an indelible imprint on my life. I'm so glad we got to celebrate her. I always hope we'll have lots more time with her, but I'll always count this trip as a very special opportunity to spend more time with her. I'm so glad we were able to go.
Even though we had eaten a big lunch, my family went to our favorite Mexican restaurant--Fidel's--for dinner that night. It was the only night we could all go together. So even though I wasn't terribly hungry, I valiantly tried to eat my tostada for the sake of family togetherness.
The cousins, as usual, loved spending time with one another and ate their weight in chips and salsa. Benjamin and Sebastian (the two youngest grandkids) just sat and laughed and laughed with each other in their high chair prisons. I'm excited to watch these boys grow up together.
