A Family Reunion, Birthday and Celebration of Life

This weekend we went to Wisconsin to visit with my parents. We also got to see their beautiful new house that they just moved into last weekend! The main reason we chose this weekend to go to Wisconsin was for the big family reunion that was planned. It was also a birthday party for my Aunt Ali and a celebration of life for those whose time with us may be limited.

img_7253.jpgimg_7305.jpgimg_7379.jpgFullSizeRender-6img_7257.jpgThe family reunion was held at Lindberg Park in Combined Locks. It was a really nice park with a lot of grassy areas, a huge pavilion with a kitchen, plenty of parking, a playground and a basketball hoop. It really was a perfect setting. I told on of my aunts that I’d never been to this park before and she laughed and said our family had been holding reunions there for 50 years. According to my mom I’d been there when I was young. Also, on the drive to the park I passed by the house where I lived in Kaukauna (although I didn’t recognize it), the street that I lived on in Appleton (Drew! I didn’t remember it til I saw it) and the place on the river where my dad grew up (which I recalled driving past often when I used to drive from Little Chute and Kaukauna to work in Appleton).

img_7264.jpgimg_7277.jpgimg_7269.jpgimg_7283.jpgIt was my Aunt Ali who was celebrated her 57th birthday three days early. She has had a tough battle with breast cancer for many years. Her positive outlook on life in the face of death should be in an inspiration to all of us. I’m sure she has her dark times, but the positive energy that flows from her being is uplifting to everyone around her. Amazing lady. Makai decorated  birthday card for her with markers and stickers and included two photos of himself. Aunt Ali has always had soft spot in her heart for Makai. It’s so sweet!

FullSizeRenderFullSizeRender-1img_7399.jpgMy cousin Dawn has been visiting from Florida for several weeks. It was so great to see her again!

img_7389.jpgMy dad and his brother Doug.

img_7403.jpgMy mom with her sisters Connie, Wanda, Sue and Alice

FullSizeRender-4img_7352.jpgThe sisters: Connie, Wanda, Mary, Sue, Alice and their brother Maurice. (And Charlotte!)

img_7398.jpgMy mom and her brother, Morey.

FullSizeRender-2Kiara is my cousin’s grandaughter. FullSizeRender-3I’m not sure what the officially makes her to me!
img_7290.jpgKiara and Makai blowing bubbles. Both are just about 3 years old (She in September, he in October). img_7291.jpgOn a family tree, Makai would be on the same level as Kiara’s Mom, Miranda (I think.)

img_7419.jpgArt by Aunt Sue.

img_7393.jpgimg_7330.jpgimg_7391.jpgCousins: Tiffani, Melissa, Marla, Kelly, Rachelle, Dawn, Skyonna, Katrina, Ciara, Kelly, Richard, Molly, Pat. (And Charlotte!) Me: “Is Pat the only guy?” Everyone: “Uh, no. Your brother… ?”

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Cousins Pat and Kelly

FullSizeRender-10Family photos: Amanda, Jessica, Richard, Stephanie, Rick, Mary, Rachelle, Dallas, Makai

img_7397.jpgFamily photos: Kelly, Margo, Jeff, Sue, Charlotte, Tessa
FullSizeRender-11img_7260.jpgFullSizeRender-9FullSizeRender-7FullSizeRender-5FullSizeRender-13FullSizeRender-12img_7401.jpgimg_7400.jpgThe kids (even the big kids) played so hard on the playground! I hardly even went in because Makai had lots of babysitters: Stephanie, Jessica, Tessa, Charlotte, Margo. Ok, maybe not Margo. And Larry.

img_7320.jpgLucky for Richard, Dallas, Matt and Dominic, Larry had a basketball in the trunk of his car. Dallas was feeling pretty great about his “old man game” when he beat some of his competitors who were 20 years younger than him!

Fun fun day for everyone! So glad we came up and could see all of the the family!

A Barbecue and Family Reunion in Wisconsin

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Last year we had so much fun in Wisconsin barbecuing and catching up with family, that we did it again this year. Last year, I was 7 months pregnant and it was fun this year to finally introduce everyone to Makai. He had so much fun playing and visiting with all his cousins and aunties and uncles that he missed his afternoon naps and stayed up right till his bed time at 8 p.m. Makai was especially loving Kiara, who is one month older than him; chilling out by Dustin; and playing with Tessa, Charlotte and Margo.

I had fun seeing everyone too and it was nice to be at my parent’s house in the country, which is not really the country, but is the country compared to where we live!

Also, I had never seen this version of 312 before, even though Goose Island beer is made in Chicago and is everywhere here:

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