A Summer of Reunions

***WARNING*** This a a very long blog. I had all these pictures on my camera with some on the card and some on internal memory. I couldn't figure out for the longest time how to get the internal memory pictures on my computer. So now you get two months worth of pictures in one blog.

LEE FAMILY REUNION
There is nothing as fun as family reunions - even with all the hard work and planning it takes to have one. This summer has been a fun one for me. First my side of the family (The Lee's) had their regular reunion at the Ensign Ranch. This was an emotional one because we wonder if my dad will ever be able to make another one. (But then again, he is stubborn and could fool us all) Here are some pictures and memories: (A lot of these pictures are from Rebecca, the family photographer. If she is around the rest of us tend not to take as many pictures. We sure keep her busy.)


Arthur and Betty Lee - Patriarch and Matriarch of this huge family.


So many activities: Organized games for the children, slip and slide, horses (to feed and ride), horseshoes for the adults, boating, and indoor pool, shuffleboard, etc. You could always find something to do. And the cousins loved just hanging out and playing with each other.













Good Food


A special family home evening, Here are my parents with all of their children. At the end of the program they sang a song they had sung in church many, many years ago - "I Stand All Amazed".


The highlight of the whole reunion was a special blessing given by my dad to all his posterity. Unable to speak it himself, Ed had spent time with my dad weeks before the reunion learning from dad that he wanted to give a blessing and what he wanted to say. My mom read it and it was hard to hold back the tears when hearing it. Thanks Ed and also for finding the recorded talk that dad gaves years ago in a Sacrament Meeting before he and my mom left for one of their missions. It was just perfect for the occasion.

STRINGHAM FAMILY REUNION
This was our first official Stringham Family Reunion. Whenever Jason and family comes into town we have gotten together. But, this time my brother, Ed let us use his beach house in Seaside Oregon to be able to just get away. It is the cutest beach housse I have ever seen. The back door leads leadss to a deck and right past that is the beach. The kids had so much fun playing in the sand, riding the waves on boogie boards, roasting marshmallows in the fire pit, playing with all their cousins, and spending wonderful time with their parents. How fun to have undivided attention for each other.

Here are some pictures from our camera and of course from Rebecca:
The beach house from the ocean.

The whole Stringham Family

Playing in the sand.

Grandpa was in charge of seeing that Brody didn't eat the sand. Whoops! But, he did get this picture.

Hanging out inside while it was raining outside.

The cousins played together so well.

Cousins bedroom. Up to 8 kids slept here with two in sleeping bags on the floor.

We had wonderful food. I ate way too much and I have no idea why the chair cushion is in the middle of the table.

The kids loved playing in the ocean as well as the guys. Tommy and Eric before they were called out of the water for a white shark sighting! Can't believe we let them go back later, but we did after we were told they were gone. How do they know for sure?

Jason Stringham on the boogie board. He ended up breaking one of them - must have been some wild waves. Jason Kidd was right behind him.

Roasting marshmallows was a favorite and I think we all agree that Ethan was the best marshmallow roaster. Notice the tent in the background, Yep, we had two families bring tents, Mendenhalls and the Kidds and they loved listening to the ocean waves at night.


Jaylee and Audrey led me to their secret "cave". They spent hours fixing it up with little places to sit. Theytold me they were digging to the other side of the world to "Australia".

The kids being buried up to their waists in the sand. Most of them loved the idea, but a couple said "no way"!

Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandkids, my favorite picture of the reunion.

Pike Place Market with Jason, Jenn, Jaylee and Jenni.

This is such a fun place to visit.

First off they bought Grandma and Grandpa a boquet of flowers. Thanks so much!

Jaylee getting a close look at a big fish. This place is famous for their fresh fish.

They have some pretty hair ribbons there.

Jenni chose the pink and Jaylee chose the multi-colored one.


Jaylee getting a picture of the "Hello, I'm a monk fish" -- pretty brave of her considering it tends to move unexpectedly.


So much easier to enjoy when you up above the crowds.

Thanks for the memories!