Kinfolk get togethers.

[Ronni]

We're a close family. There are always get togethers, for each person's birthday, seasonal events, just-because events. Son #2 and Granddaughter #7 happen to share a birthday, so we got together this last w/e for that. It's always raucous and loud and silly when the fam gets together....very informal and goofy.

Granddaughter #2 being goofy! loves her Gramma!!!


Some of the fam.


The birthday people opening gifts.


Cousins and uncles


We put sparkler trick candles on Ella's cake. Fun!!

 

[ClassicRockr]

Use to when we lived in So California, where my wife's immediate family lives. But, since moving in 2002, only wife and I celebrate birthdays and holidays. None of the family wants to spend out the money to come to see us and we won't either.

After my wife's mother died, there wasn't any more family get-togethers.

 

[RadishRose]

I loved this peek into your lovely family, Ronni.

You look great and the kids are all so cute. The trick candles were the prefect touch.

I loved the artwork hanging across the windows.

 

[Capt Lightning]

It's never been a thing in our family. We went our separate ways and only saw each other at weddings and funerals and maybe at Christmas. My sister organised the odd family reunion, but I had no interest in going to meet virtual strangers with whom I only had a tenuous link.

 

[gumbud]

Use to when we lived in So California, where my wife's immediate family lives. But, since moving in 2002, only wife and I celebrate birthdays and holidays. None of the family wants to spend out the money to come to see us and we won't either.

After my wife's mother died, there wasn't any more family get-togethers.

that's sad!

reminds me of one of my favorite Loundon Wainwrights songs "thanksgiving"

 

[Aneeda72]

We get together once a month for lunch at my house. We only have three people who don't come. Our total care son doesn't, our mentally ill grandson doesn't, and one granddaughter comes off and on. She also has a very bad chronic illness, works full time, and has a boyfriend.

I have come to believe that one person in the family has to be responsible for the entire family getting together and remaining in touch. Otherwise families just drift apart as people become more interested in themselves instead of each other. In our family that person is me, and the rest must put aside their silly, stupid, petty disagreements for one day a month.

This way the great grandchildren get to know there is a village available for them; and that they are loved and important to us all. Once I die, I doubt they will continue to meet, but the young ones will still have the memories of those good times.

 

[Ruth n Jersey]

Great photos Ronni. I had that growing up. Sadly,now not so much. All the older members are gone and our family has grown smaller and smaller. I do see my Grand kids often and still host a couple of holidays and I have my memories. Enjoy all of it while you can.

 

[WhatInThe]

There were get togethers that used to be like that but for over a decade too many can't make it or are more worried about getting back home. It's just perfunctory or show your face time for most now. Some are trying to keep an obviously lost or gone tradition alive, it's agonizing to watch. Now dinners are a cold war that have turned hot. Also be careful what you say in between to whom because the strategic alignment of allies and opposing forces have changed. Information gets passed around like a leak to the press. Some even use third parties to push their agenda. Never thought so much gray hair could get so mentally miserable not that it always pleasantries.