Guinn Family Reunion

Every five years the entire Guinn family gets together for a much needed reunion. This is not soon enough. I think it should be yearly but it is quite difficult with family members all across the United States. We had a great reason to celebrate though; Grandma and Grandpa Guinn's 50th wedding anniversary! It was supposed to be a surprise party for them, but Grandma had to find out since we needed some information from her. It was fun to see their expressions as they entered the cultural hall at church all decked out in party decor and pictures reminiscing their lives together this past half century! Nobody deserved a better party as they have always been there for their six children, twenty-two and a half (prego me) grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. I love to hear stories told and re-told of their first blind-date, young married life woes and silly experiences as young parents and FINALLY retired lives.

Brothers around the grill...so Fourth of July

We are so lucky to have them just minutes away. We had tottered the idea of moving ever since Paul graduated from chiropractic school but opportunities have not outweighed the joys of having so much family near. I love it! After the party, we of course went out to karaoke! Always so fun.

My simple indoor Fourth of July display

The day following the party was the official Guinn Family Reunion at Lewisville park on the Fourth of July. We met some family members for the first time. It was HOT so all the kids (and the adult kids) quickly made our way to the river to cool off and play on the rope swing. I considered it, but had nearly everyone against a pregnant lady doing this. They won.

That evening instead of sticking around the neighborhood or going to many firework shows offered, a good chunk of us decided to spend the evening participating in simple fireworks at brother, Bryan and his family's brand new house in the country. It was nice to get away from the fireworks chaos that is such a big deal where we live (you see, fireworks that leave the ground are banned just across the river in Oregon AND due to fire danger this year, were completely banned there so everyone came to Washington to light them off). Baelor especially enjoyed taking part in this. Reina on the other hand mostly enjoyed playing with her cousins of the same age, Madeleine, Logan and Lauren.

All the same age: Reina, Madeleine, Lauren

Logan, Baelor, Reina, Madeleine, Lauren, Benjamin, Corbin

Can you tell Paul's side of the family seems to make blondes?

 With everyone still in town on Sunday, recently married brother Steve and his new wife Katie (one of my childhood best friends) had a house-warming/newly married party at their house. It was fun to see the feminine touches Katie has made to Steve's once bachelor pad. Although I do wish they lived less than 45 minutes away. I would love our children to grow up together.

Most everyone left soon after this, but we still got to visit with Paul's brother Matthew and his family a couple of days. We went to OMSI one day and to the river on another.

Apparently this "age machine" shows the cutest 90 year olds!