Monday, July 25, 2011

2011 Hubbard Family Reunion

At least 90 people showed up for the reunion this year at Oakdale Park in Glen Rose, TX. We (Sonny's family) had 10, Aunt Jerry, 34, Uncle Richard, 13, Uncle Don, 6, Joyce Ann, 27.

It was hot but having it on the weekend brought a bigger crowd. Some weren't able to spend the whole weekend but it was great to see familiar faces that we'd not seen in a while.

It was hard knowing how badly Aunt Betty wanted to be there and was stuck in the hospital again. I think all of us became a little "easier" as we heard stories of how she was slowly becoming more herself.

It was so good to see Tonya, and Sharon and Dennis showed up a little later. I'd missed them at the the last reunion they'd attended. They're planning a September wedding for Sharon. She's to marry Brian Boothe. Congratulations, Sharon.


The Luau surprise birthday party for Lauren and Debra turned out great. Melanie, Tracy, Kelly, and Aunt Joyce along with others planned out food and deco and rented to pool and it was a really good time. Donations were made by individuals to pay the $250. pool fee.

Eric Wooddell rented the pool again for the family on Saturday night. It sure did help everyone to cool off. Thanks for your generosity, Eric.

The auction yielded around $860+. I put plus because a few people rounded up their figures and gave a few dollars more. There's still around $56.00 that hasn't made it into the deposit as yet. The auction seemed extra long this year. Jeff always does such a great job as auctioneer. Chip helped him keep up with bids and carrying items to people. "Little" Don helped out this year with his computer and I was thankful for his help, too. He learned a little about excel formulas, too.

Uncle Richard was there but said he wasn't feeling well. He stayed up with us by taking a few naps in-between all the activities and was in the water the second day. Aunt Jerry worked very hard and didn't show up at the last meal or at the pool but Uncle Dub had himself a swim at the second pool party, too. I regret that my camera ran out of juice and I couldn't take a pic of him in his trunks and cowboy boots.

Diving at the pool was fun to watch. The first night judges (Uncle Don, Uncle Richard, and Jamie) awarded 10 points to the birthday queens and everyone else received ones. That's how it should be. Lauren even dived in and was responsible for me getting wet. I was so grateful. I really started enjoying myself once I was in the pool.

Annie and Lou, the managers of the park joined in and took care of us. Lou over-saw life-guarding and with lots of smiles pulled the little ones out the "Big Splash" over and over. Annie took tons of photos and info about our family. She made us feel really special. The both agreed as they told me and others we were the "best" family reunion they'd seen, yet. Annie plans to start a picture wall at the park and has promised to upload pics to their Face book site and is e-mailing pictures to individuals to gave her e-mail addresses.

It was fun looking at Chase's and Heather's wedding albums. And Pam gave out some great copies of the family portrait her family had done. They told me Andrea just turned 17. It doesn't seem possible.

The babies were all very sweet. Noah, Abbie, Jeremiah, Jaiden, Lilly, Sadie, Eithan...such sweet little guys. The toddlers just seemed to delight in the "black" dirt. It stuck to them like glue when they played in it.


Oscar the Grouch shirt was awarded to "Little" Don Hubbard. (I still can't figure how "little" is attached to his name). lol. I (Karen) was runner up. I'm not too proud of that fact. I'm not sure if it was the chicken I cooked that did me in or fussing about my cabin but I'll try to do better next year. lol.

We missed everyone who didn't attend. Ronnie's (Uncle) family hasn't been in a while and of course everyone in Aunt Betty's family stayed home with her this year. I miss Mom and Dad but I have bitter-sweet memories of the times we were together at Glen Rose.

With 90 people present you'd think there wouldn't be many missing but I can think of tons. Annette and Bill didn't make it. That made me sad. Annette, you missed out! I brought the canister set we warred over back to the auction. I think Joyce Ann has it now.

We figured it up and we know we've been going to Oakdale at least 40 years. Joyce Ann thinks Annette Elliot's first baby, Marc was tiny when they first started and he was born in 1971. I'm convinced I was younger than 18 but know I stayed with Mom and Dad with Connie and Buddy in our little cottages and I really don't remember Chip and Jess being there at that time. I could be mistaken, though. I'm going to check with Annette and see if she recalls anything different.

I started a Face Book Page for the Hubbard Family. I hope everyone who took pictures will upload there or link to the page so everyone can enjoy the photos. My camera quit in the middle of everything. Tonya and Debra were going to take the family group shots but everything got so turned around it didn't seem like there was time for them. I regret that. I love being able to look back and see who all was there and a group shot just gives such a huge legacy to Jess and Nina Hubbard and when Annette and Bill show up, it goes back to William and Ara.

My heart is full as I remember everyone and everything. I even get to enjoy living in close quarters with my own immediate family again. Thankfully, we can enjoy each other for a couple of days. I'm looking forward to next year!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Upcoming 2011 Hubbard Reunion

Facebook has played a major part in people staying caught up with one another this year. Cousins we haven't seen in eons are available on line with pictures of family and it's a mini-reunion every day.

I tried to get everyone to share recipes but we Hubbard people don't like to take the time to write it down. I really would like to have the cabbage chop recipe and Kelly's chicken spaghetti. Maybe I'll be able to hogtie someone long enough to get it down on paper at our gathering.

We had family time in West Texas when we buried Dad in February. I (I should say we) were so blessed by our family during that time. Most of the people at the funeral were family and there's just nothing like having people around who loved Dad as much as we did. I miss him and Mom so much.

Aunt Betty is need of everyones prayers. She's still at Regional Hospital in Abilene. Deacon visited our son, Barry the other day who is living out at Cooper's Cove. That's where he found out she was in the hospital. But even then it was all wrong. He thought she was here in Colorado City.

Anyway, I called Aunt Jerry and sure enough she had the real scoop. I called Aunt Betty and she sounds really weak. She indicated she thought she might get to go home in a couple of days and was sure going to be at the reunion. So I was hopeful until I talked with Chip tonight who said PJ said Dr's were saying she might never leave the hospital. Now, what kind of thing is that to say!!!! Everyone, pray for Aunt Betty!

My understanding is she had four stints put in and needed corroded artery surgery they thought it was too dangerous at the time. Later they went back in to perform that surgery. She seemed okay but then started getting really sick. They took her to Regional because her liver numbers were very high. That's about all I know. Her room number is 325 428 2106. That's a direct line.

Aunt Jerry said as far as she knows everyone else is doing okay. She's expecting her whole family this year except Brenda. Brenda is having trouble with her foot and needs everyones prayers about that.

Tonya and Kalea are taking a missions trip to Romania this year and will be returning some time the weekend of the reunion. Chip doesn't know if that will make it possible for him to come. Jess and Tony are going to try to drive down for at least one night. As far as I know Connie, Wes, Deacon, and I are in for the long haul. Jenny promised to show up for a little while and CJ and Darla are thinking about coming. My daughter Cheryl is busy planning her wedding. Sure wish she'd show up with Ammie, her fiance, Brian and his little girl Haley. Some of you met him at the funeral. We're so happy for them and us!

I'm probably wishfully thinking that maybe if we schedule a time for taking pictures everyone will make a point to be there. The best picture we took was in 2007. My precious Daddy was in that picture. There were the largest number of people in it to date and I think almost everyone came for it.

I'm thinking that if we spread the word that we're going to take pictures immediately after lunch and before the auction we could get it done. I don't anyone likes to take them but they sure are a blessing to look back on. Hope everyone will help me out with it this year...please!!!!! Maybe if I make up a flier stating a time???...hmmm....maybe during the luau that Melanie is planning. LOL

I really like the idea of the cookie race that Jeff came up with. Of course there's always a singing going on with the Hubbards. Daddy loved those times. And I believe Uncle Ronnie did, too.

It's going to be great seeing everyone and just hanging out. I can't wait to get there!