In our family a vacation often means a family reunion and/or a special occasion. We don't often go too far on our own without a valid reason. One of our first real vacations was a family reunion in 1988 to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Finally someone lived close enough to reach and almost everyone was able to come.
Next was a plane trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1992. We bought seven plane tickets (they were half price) and took our five children to meet their aunts, uncles, and cousins. We stayed for three weeks, one with each of James' sisters, and it was one of the best vacations ever! Even Grandmanita came, all the way from Nova Scotia. None of us wanted to leave.
It was many years before we were able to meet up again, this time in 2002, a Christmas reunion in Boulder, Colorado. Finally everyone was there. We had ten new family members who we had never even met! We piled 33 people into one little house for an unforgettable Christmas! The two day drive across the country was well worth it. Though we could have done without the stomach virus that ravaged our party. In spite of it, we spent one wonderful day driving through the mountains, another enjoying Pearl Street, and several just basking in each other's company.
Our last gathering was in 2006, a wedding in Albuquerque, where we added a new family member, Uncle Mike, and met our newest nephew, Ashton. Going to New Mexico is a little bit like going home. We take in all the chile peppers, homemade tortillas, and tamales possible, and never skip out on a chance to take a drive up into the Sandia Mountains.There have been other vacations as well like taking our son to college or delivering a cabinet to a relative out of state. We have had family come for weddings and even headed out to a special occasion or two ourselves. Just last week some family members were hatching a plan for a family reunion in our back yard, a tent city of sorts. I wonder if it will really happen?
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That's wonderful to have such a big family and meet them during your vacation ! We are only 4 and a half, a one month old grandson.
ReplyDeleteGattina
ABC team
Now those are vacations.... What a great extended family... Lots of smiles in those pics.
ReplyDeleteHaving only experienced a handful, I enjoy reading, as well as watching movies, about family reunions. I live vicariously through what I read and watch. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe have a relatively small family but we're in three corners of the US, in NY, NC and CA - tough to get together.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
All of those sound like so much fun! We don't travel much...our boys are just too much of a handful. I seem to escape alone with a girlfriend more than anything! :)
ReplyDeleteIf you do the tent city in your back yard, make sure you take lots of pictures! ;)
Yes we also are a scattered bunch.
ReplyDeleteNY, FL, WA, OR.
You have such lovely family memories. I've never taken a road trip like that. It sounds like great fun!
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