Marsha and I concocted a great plan to get our whole family together while I was in Texas back in April. It was such a great idea on paper. For the first time since 2002, we were going to have a reunion of the Thomas clan to celebrate my mom's 80th birthday. Since I couldn't fly my whole family back down on her actual birthday in July, Marsha came up with the idea to have a surprise party- slash- family reunion in April. I can't think of anything I'd rather have for my 80th birthday than my whole family surrounding me. The "save the date" email went out in January, and I was so excited to finally see everyone again, and to meet all my great nieces and nephews!
It didn't exactly work out the way we had hoped. In fact, most of the family ended up with conflicts on their calendar. They all sort of decided it was dumb to celebrate a July birthday in April. Maybe they're right. My two oldest sons couldn't afford the airfare and time off work to fly to Dallas for a long weekend. Hannah was still in the Philippines, which was also a valid excuse. Mike, however, flew in from California. His Uncle Mike came to the celebration, and then Marsha's whole family (adorable grandchildren included) came. We invited a few of Mom's closest friends just to make it more fun. It was still a great day, once I reconciled myself to the disappointment of missing my other sister and her whole clan. I know Mom was surprised. Thanks, Marsha and David, for all the hard work putting it together.
Our lovely hostess, Marsha (who wants to go on record as saying she did NOT drink the whole bottle, only half -- neither of which is true), who is even prettier than her photo
The birthday girl, granddaughter Megan, and great-granddaughter Averie.
This is one of my favorite pictures. Doesn't Mike remind you of Elf from the movie? He looks like a giant at the table with his siblings and Loegan. What a switch from when he used to be one of the little guys with all his cousins who were older. In fact, several of them are all married with kids of their own now.
Isn't this the cutest little batter? My youngest kids had seen a family video of a baseball game played at another reunion back in 1991 before they were born. This time there were lots of very little kids which made it fun to watch. No one was too young to play.
Everyone still smiling after the game.
The fans watching from the garage, out of the wind.
Grandpa was trying to teach this little cutie to swing, but she was so busy smiling for the camera, she totally missed the ball when it came.
Giving up on baseball, Averie got in more photos being pulled in the wagon with her cousin, Zoie.
Jim borrowing my sister's grandbabies, seeing what it will feel like.
This was the only hint of a dispute the whole day together - not bad!
Playing on the escalator at the airport. Still a novelty to my Mexico-born-and-raised kiddos. It was so fun to have Mike with us for a few days!
Enjoying the Dallas Arboretum with "BJ"
Jon E. and Debbie at the arboretum
1 comment:
Awesome fun! I'm sorry the rest of your family missed out.
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