Family Ties

On the Fourth of July two years ago, we attended a family reunion of some of my husband's extended family.  I edited our pictures and wrote about the reunion that same August (2013) but I didn't get my post published because I got busy with something else.  I'm finally sharing it this year in preparation for the Fourth.

This was a gathering of the descendants of my husband's paternal grandmother's family.  It was held in the fellowship hall (as it was a scorching hot day) of the little Methodist Church in the country, where Granny's family members have attended church services for many years.

 Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church

There were festive decorations for the Fourth,

 and family members of all ages.

There was good food in abundance,

and there were photos to bring back fond memories for all.  The man and woman in the standing photograph on the table are my husband's paternal great-grandparents, Blanche and Henry.  They had four children, two girls and two boys, including a set of twins.  Those children married and had children of their own.  Blanche and Henry had seven grandchildren, eight(?) great-grandchildren, and well, you get the idea.  :)

It was fun to gather together, as we had not seen some of my husband's cousins in several years.  I love that the women all dressed in patriotic colors...

...even the little ones.  :)  Don't you love that red hair?!

Everyone enjoyed looking at old pictures and re-connecting.

Father and son...

Do you love old family photos like I do?  Families are like chains with lots of links extending down through the years.  My husband and his brother were just little boys in the picture above.  :)

This is a picture of my husband's father (on the left) as a teenager with his parents (my husband's grandparents).  I love the dress Granny is wearing in this picture -- it looks like something Lucy would have worn in "I Love Lucy."  Those were such pretty, feminine dresses; I wish they would come back in fashion.

My husband and I have been married for 28 years, and I had never seen some of these pictures.  It was fun to see everyone as they looked when they were young.

As always, I enjoyed checking out the decorations -- cute "Uncle Sam" by Jim Shore!

--A darling quilted table runner.

We ate and we ate...

...and we talked and we talked.  :)  Family on the Fourth, coming together from their respective towns and states to celebrate common bonds.

I love our niece Maddy's pretty red, white and blue dress and hair bow!

That's my husband's grandmother on the right and her sister on the left.  Granny was really thrilled to see so many of her family members in attendance.

The circle of life continues...

I hope you're looking forward to a fun Fourth of July this year (and hopefully a day or two off from work).  Thank you so much for visiting "House at Forest Manor," and reading my blog.  I truly appreciate that you take time out of your busy day to stop by!  Wishing you all a good Sunday.


Denise