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Grandma June's 70th Birthday
The first Family Reunion began at Rio Del Mar with Grandma June's 70th birthday. We rented a house across the street on Beach Drive. It had an indoor pool but it was busted. The kids liked the hot tub! Lots of stairs and Jim and Dave carried Mom and her wheelchair up the stairs. She held court in the ocean front room and had individual visits with each person. Sue, Pat, and MA shared a bed. Dave got a ticket taking Sue & Kelly to the airport! Monterey Bay Aquarium was a hit with everyone. -
Santa Fe
First reunion; sad without Mom but many memories. We went to an Native American Arts/Crafts Festival, Caves at Bandolier, and some visited Taos. Sue got stuck in the cave dwellings, unable to climb down. We had an indoor pool, 3 condos, and a lightening storm while in the freezing cold "solar" heated pool. Crossed an enormous bridge and Jim faced his fear of heights. Had Mexican food with JoCeal. Construction zone set up due to a car driving through s store. Amazing tiles & margaritas. -
Hilton Head
We had condos by the beach. Swam at sunrise in a "hot" ocean. Rolon won prize for whitest legs! Loved the swim up bar in the pool; lots of frozen cappuchinos were enjoyed. Girls saw "First Knight" movie. Theresa had first Yager; still her favorite drink! Cousins shaved Lizandro's head. Rode bikes, played tennis, body surfed. Alligators seen in the lake near condos. First of many bar visits for the cousins, Kelly barely 18. -
Whitbey Island
Pat & Rolon arranged for a B & B in a lovely house with Bocci ball and croquet on the back lawn. Meals were catered; fabulous bfast buffet. Famous golf game played with blatant cheating and hysterical laughter when Pat shouted for "someone to carry the golf bag!" Intense card tournaments & "personal preference" played. Theresa's friends visited, Kelly got a horrible haircut but loved staying with Pat & Rolon. Dramatic readings, loved bounty hunter Plum story. Cousins liked bar by the ferry. -
Santa Catalina Island
We stayed in 2 condos with gorgeous views of Pacific; golf carts took us all over the island. Saw buffalos, octopus, & Garabaldi fish. St Louis clan saw highway road rage too up close for comfort. Played lots of peewee golf. Lots of stairs to climb and cobblestone paths. Cousins condo was a disaster. More drinking; bartenders thought Kelly's Georgia licence was a fake -
Saint Augustine
3 condos near beach; one kept quiet for baby Aidan. Phil's tent on the sand was a godsend. Indoor/outdoor pool. Kelly and Paul were engaged as fireworks exploded in the sky! First time seeing cars parked on white sand for CA folks. Late night dinner in the pouring rain for hungry kids. "Baby swap" at UStudies was a blast, but Seaworld was depressing. Card parties in the cousins' condo, this time security came, Dave & Theresa ran and hid. -
Tantara in The Ozarks
Condos near pool and lake. Loved the pools! Rented a pontoon boat and everyone took a turn on the tubes. Tom's trunks fell off, Ryan burnt half his sweet face and Theresa jumped in to rescue "My Baby!" Bowling and dinner at the lodge, indoor water park with floating tubes. Mike finally came and had fun with cards and bfast with Jim and Kathy. Pietruszka's 12 hr drive; Dave drunk when they arrived. Cousins tripping over tree limbs, looking crazy; jumping over the fence; hot tubbing afterhours -
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Arrived after oil spill to Jimmy Buffet's concert. Couldn't swim in ocean but loved the lagoon & boat. Saw crazy glowing jellyfish, alligators. Great water slides, go carts, bumper boats; Maddex loved them! Visited Lulu's store. Serious scrabble arguments. Lizandro dove into shallow lagoon. Bryce was 6 weeks old & cried alot. Couldn't ignore work emails. Insanity video in the outdoor heat! Some remember horrible drunken Karaoke at the "Pink Pony.' Late dinner in the teaming rain. -
Charlotte, No. Carolina
Enormous house on Lake Whiley. Flotilla of kayaks & paddleboards. 17 people and 36 electronic devices! Need to unplug our family! -
TBD