A week and a half ago the Detweiler Reunion Extravaganza 2008 converged on the greater Cincinnati area. We had 18 out of the 20 people attending sleeping in our house the first night!
Two on couches
Two on the living room floor
Two on a blowup bed in the office
Three in one guest room
Three in another guest room
Four in Betsy's room, including Grandma Ruth in her walk-in closet (She WANTED to be in there, I promise you!)
And us in our big ol' king size bed that we offered to everyone else but no one would take. They are all way too nice! :)
It was a really great time. The Detweilers are one of those rare families that really enjoys getting together and doesn't have a whole bunch of nasty tension and whispering behind each others' back...you know...the stuff that makes us glad that holidays only come once a year. As brother-in-law Linford said once, "We are not a perfect family, but we are a beautiful family."
On Friday everyone arrived and hung out at our place, eating a big pot of soup in shifts as they arrived and enjoying getting caught up.
Saturday we dodged storms and ended up with a lovely, but muggy, four hours at the forest preserve picnicing, playing frisbee, hiking and foraging for blackberries and mullberries. Betsy rode on Uncle Conrad's shoulders for awhile (which was a big deal...she really warmed up to her aunts and uncles) and picked mullberries from the trees. She had juice all over his head. Wish I'd had my camera. Then the sky got dark, the wind began to blow and the thunder rolled. Myron decided we better pack up. Just as we got the last of the stuff loaded up it began to pour like a monsoon...whew...good timing.
On Sunday we caravaned over to Linford and Karin's Nowhere Farm for another lovely day of picnicing. Jonathan conducted a little church service for us and we took some time to remember Dad with tears and laughter, wishing he could be there too.
We had a really precious and fun time...it went so well we're considering having Christmas here too! :)
Here are some pics:
Grandma Ruth and Conrad chatting on the couch,while others gather around the table and the kids play.
A few of Betsy's cousins (she said for three weeks before they came, "My cousins are coming any second now!"): Michael, Jon, Seth, Hannah, and Jesse.
Betsy dressed in her cute overalls and ready for a day at the park with her cousins.
Betsy and Katie enjoying some Saturday morning cartoons together.
Kathy, Donna and Peter chatting after Friday supper.
Katie and her Daddy, Jon
Two of Betsy's best buds, cousins Rachel and Katie--on our way to Nowhere Farm (Uncle Linford and Auntie Karin's house)
The oldest cousin, Michael, investigating some leaves with the youngest.
Stayin' cool in the shades
Grandma, Kathy and Donna chatting after our picnic lunch.
Betsy surveying the land at Nowhere Farm.
Caught Michael eating...
Uncle Peter resting his hurt foot.
A lovely picnic under the sheltering shade of ancient trees.
Auntie Karin preparing a grand feast
Auntie Donna and cousin Katie
There were monkeys in them there trees!
Betsy admiring Auntie Karin's pretty necklace.
Three out of four Detweiler brothers posed for this picture: Myron, Jonathan and Linford
Seth and David high above the world.
Betsy popping bubbles with Rachel
Betsy loves Linford and Karin's kitty Saul...she and Jesse were hanging out with him after lunch.
Playing the big ol' grand piano.
Maybe she'll take after her uncles?
Jesse, Hannah, Conrad and Kathy enjoying some of Linford's art books.
