Muscatine

from the annual family Thankgiving family reunion. Talk about fun... I had a person refer to me as Bigbrother and started laughing. We talked briefly about this site and the fact I was not BB.

Anyway - I come from a really small family. Never had much to do with inlaws, uncles, aunts, or anyone a long those lines. When I attend a dinner with a turn out of what felt like half of Muscatine, (really only about 100 people) I attend it in awe. I find it just amazing how many ways a family can branch off. The new faces every year, births and marriages seem to be the number one cause of that.

Anyway, anyone else have big families that do dinners of this nature?

Peace

family gettogethers

My grandma & her sisters were adamant that our families stayed connected. They all took the time to write down their memories & shared them with us. They then organized our ''cousin reunion'' every year.
Our family went to a few of them, Sadly, we chose other ''family obligations'', over many of those reunions. I know some of my cousins, but not all of them. My grandma & her sisters had a zest for life. They instilled in all of us compassion, love, humor & patience for life.
I regret that I didn't listen to the messages they attempted to teach us. Chosen, pay attention to all of those marriages, births, etc. Try to stay somewhat connected!
My grandma Irene & her sisters were so wise, loving & giving. Family is family. There is a connection, somewhere. Revel & appreciate it. Don't make the same mistake I did; try to make a connection and to understand the world you are a part of. Share the knowledge w/ your children & family so they can do the same. I hope I can make my grandma & her sisters proud in that same way.

Tlou we are related

If you are taking about who I think you are talking about. Your aunt Irene was my mother's aunt. You are talking about the crazy aunts. Wilma, Margaret, Leona, Irene, Effie. Their youngest was their brother Levi? The O Dell clan? Is this your family? We're like 23rd cousins or something.

Jeff, Aunts did it again!

HEY CUZ! Those crazy aunts are working overtime, aren't they!
I have read & appreciated your ''quirky'' sense of humor, (a lot like my own), and your very kind heart, (one I hope I can emulate?). They gave us a beautiful foundation, didn't they?
I got a story about what they did to my husband & I after we were married. You got one?
Love, Life, Laughter, Charity & Family is what they tried to instill IN ALL of us. You obviously internalized what they taught! I KNOW that every ONE of them is proud of your decision to do what you are doing during the Christmas Stroll!
Every single Aunt had that laugh that came from the bottom of their toes! I'm betting you have that same kind of laugh?
Thanks for speaking up, Jeff! HEY CUZ! Actually, I think I might be 21 or 22 cousin, or something like that! HUGGS! Good Luck w/ both of your stores. I'll see you w/ my son & grandchildren @ the Holiday Stroll helping you make the contribution to the Salvation Army, (unless there is a blizzard)...I DON'T DO WELL IN BLIZZARDS, or VERY cold weather, I kinda go into a hibrenation mode. YUCK! LOL! Tammy (Irene's oldest, best, wisest & most beautiful grandchild)! (Just don't tell the others, they might get jealous!)