Party in Park City

The main event of the trip was the reunion in Park City, Ut to celebrate my grandmother, Verda Parkin Reeve's 90th birthday. All but a few of her descendants made it to the party. We had a crowd of about 70 people present to celebrate her life and the influence she has had on us.

We started events Sunday evening with picture taking and a picnic. As this was the first time we had all gotten together in 18 years, it was also our initial mingle. So much fun to become reacquainted with cousins, aunts and uncles and find out first hand what everyone has been doing. There were new spouses to meet and even a fiancee or two to get to know. Thanks to some great advance planning by Christine and Michelle, we were able to stay on track and get everyone in front of the professionals camera on schedule. Not an easy task with 70 people spread out and talking.

Great-grandkids posing with Grandma

Monday was hang out at the pool day. Our group managed to snag some tables with shade near the grills and had a fun cookout for lunch while we played in the hotel pools and soaked in the hot tubs. Lauren held a cheer camp and taught some of the younger cousins a cheer to be performed at our Family Home Evening that night. Dad got us going at the evening program with some cheers, songs and skits. Paul taught us some line dancing and Joe provided the music.

Fixing up a yummy lunch.

One of my favorite photos, Joe in the lounge chair, Steven and Michael in the pool.

Cousins challenging each other to a little chicken.

Allie, Kathryn, Jessica, Lucas, Sarah

Paul Reeve showing us how to move.

We looked good before we started to move.

James, the undisputed winner of the tape game. Look at proud papa in the background.

V. E. V-E-R-D-A

Tuesday, many of the family played at the resort park. A fast zipline, alpine slides and an alpine coaster were the main attractions with some smaller rides and activities to fill in the rest of the day. Geral was my partner for the rides. I had no idea what a little daredevil she was. "Faster, faster" was her common refrain for the day and it made her so mad when a slower rider in front of us did not allow her to speed full tilt down the mountainside. Ralph was riding with Rachel and was teasing her on the coaster that she screamed like a little girl. To that she replied, "I am a little girl." The bigger kids had fun linking up with cousins to spend the day at the park so we only got occasional glimpses of them as they stood in line or careened down the mountain.

Tuesday evening was the birthday dinner and program. Perc emceed the night as well as took the time to share some family history stories. I got to lead the family in a game where I quizzed the great-grandkids and grandkids about growing up in the Reeve household. We learned a few things that we hadn't known before and were able to talk about some favorite family memories. Grandma gave an address to the family. She asked us to remember the teachings of the Savior and to make decisions consistent with the teachings of the gospel. She is someone who has always had a great faith and a desire to do what is right and hopes for the same happiness for her progeny that she has experienced in her life.

That was quite the impressive fire we had to blow out.

The festivities of the weekend were topped off by Amanda becoming officially engaged to Tyler. They came in to tell us about the proposal and we gathered in grandma's room so she could hear the tale. At the end she looked up at them happily and asked, "Now which one of you are related to me?" Happily, they will soon both be related to her and our circle of family will continue to grow. (contented sigh)

A reunion can't get better than the one we just had.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

A special thanks to Devin Fisher for many of these photos. Thanks for sharing them.