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!
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