Thursday, August 18, 2011

Hail, Hail....

..the gang's all here.  Almost.  We're gearing up for a busy weekend - gotta make sure my camera battery is charged.

We're having an informal family reunion this weekend.  With me and Lloyd, our seven children, their spouses and children, there'll be 36 people involved as well as a couple of nieces and nephews and their spouses and kids who got wind of it and want to participate. 

It all started with Mary, who lives across the mountains in British Columbia, our only child not living in Alberta.  She and her husband are runners and were planning on running a half marathon here in Edmonton this weekend.  She decided that since they were coming all that distance (a 12 hour drive through the mountains) we should see if the other out-of-town siblings could come to Edmonton for a few days too.  She bullied (very nicely) her sisters and brothers and in-laws to sign up for the 5km and 10 km races, if not for the half marathon.  At last count we'll have one son, three daughters, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, and two nieces running.  Mary's 7-year old daughter, Layla, is registered to run one of the kids races too.

I'm hoping at some point all 36 of us will be together in one spot so I can get a group photo of our family. It'll be fun trying.

The last time we all got together was three years ago for my 60th birthday.  Here's what we looked like then.  Two people are missing from the picture and we've had four new additions since then.

MacKenzie Family Reunion 2008

So, today and tomorrow I'll be cooking and cleaning.  Amy is coordinating a pot luck lunch for Saturday, and those of us who live here in town will be hosting families for sleepovers.  And the weather seems to be cooperating so it should be a good time.

And you can bet I'll be posting pictures.

15 comments:

just call me jo said...

36 people--so glad it's you. I'm not much of an entertainer. I am exhausted with 2 extra here. Good for you. Enjoy every minute.

Holly said...

Sounds like a lot of fun, we've never had a family reunion. Enjoy your family time and eats lots of great food!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

How wonderful to have all the gang together. We did that this summer but were missing one of my son's and his family. We hope now to continue with family vacations so hopefully there will be many more reunions. Have a great time!

Kath said...

HAVE A GREAT TIME!!! Try to get some sleep those few days too!!

Desiree said...

Wow! When you all come together, you sure do make up a nation :) How wonderful to be part of such a large, happy family and even more remarkable, how lucky you all are to be living within reasonably easy distance of each other. I hope you have a very special time together and I look forward to seeing lots of pictures! I'm just SO GLAD I'm not responsible for all that catering! I struggle enough these days to produce meals for two ;)

Chatty Crone said...

You are soooo lucky and blessed to have such a large family! Have fun!

Anonymous said...

I've got one son and no grandchildren - so the only addition at family ghatherings is his girlfriend!!

Southhamsdarling said...

I agree with Chatty - you are so blessed to have such a large, healthy family. Oh my goodness, you are going to be busy, but won't it be wonderful to have everyone together again. Have a super time, and please take some photos for us to see.

Ellie said...

Hi, I've come to you via Raindrops and Daisies and wanted to say hello.
Looks like you have a busy time ahead of you. Should be fun!

Michael MacKenzie said...

I hope I can still make it.

TARYTERRE said...

You're going to have your hands full. But ENJOY the reunion. In the old days a houseful here would have been 12- 14. I can't imagine 36??? Have a wonderful time with your family. You'll have all these moments to remember.

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Hi Pat, I'm visiting your from Raindrops and
Daisies. Looks like you will be having a fun weekend with your family.
Barb

mickey said...

Waiting for the photos! what a wonderful weekend you are all going to have! sure enjoyed our visit today!

Ellie said...

Hi, thanks for visiting my blog. Please feel free to come again. :))

Sush said...

Pat..what a group to be proud of! Lots of love and blessings. Isn't it funny how quickly the group grows in three years time? Blessings on your gathering this year can't wait to see the photos.

Hugs~