Spencer turns ONE!

Spencer turned one during the family reunion. 45 people sand Happy Birthday to him. Later that night he started singing "happy birthday to you"! At first I was thinking in was a coincidence that his babbling sounding like that, until he repeated himself! We video recorded him singing it and he has been singing in over and over daily since his birthday. I guess having 45 people singing to him made an impression.

He is taking steps, he can walk across the room by himself. He just can't get into the walking position alone. He can stand up at furniture, just hasn't realized he can take off by himself. He gets so excited and is so proud of himself when he walks. He is just so cute to see walking across the room. Too bad I can't share video on this blog!

Family Reunion

The family reunion officially started on Tuesday, but guests started arriving the Wednesday before. I was privledged to have my neice and nephew, Allen and Elle, from Utah, and Austin, Tyler, and Audrey from Houston, come spend a day and a night at my house. We went frog fishing in the Bayou behind my house. A snapping turtle got Tyler's foot twice, and only Tyler. Elle cut her foot somehow, so we came home and went swimming. With my children included, I had nine kids staying at my house. I am amazed how my mother-in-law had sixteen children and my mom eight. I loved having them all at my house, but I was tired after they went home.

Friday night Trina and her two boys came from Utah. They stayed with me until the reunion started on Tuesday and then came back to my house until Friday evening. I sure have a wonderful sister-in-law. She is so down-to-earth and a wonderful mother. I always have liked Trina and I was so fortunate to spend so much time getting to know her again.

We spent Monday at the beach. I don't know about you, but Galveston Beach is so much fun. The water temperature is wonderful. It is almost like bath water but still refreshing. The waves are calm. The beach gently slopes into the ocean so the kids can go out pretty far and still touch. The water isn't very clear, but I think everyone had a blast. A few of us, including me, got sunburned, so next time we will be even more careful and lather on the sunscreen. Spencer sure enjoyed crawling around in the waves.

Three days of the reunion were spent at Troy and Becky's ranch where we stayed cool inside and played water activities outside. We toured the ranch via hay ride minus the hay (a trailer ride pulled by a tractor) We had water games, went to the Blue Bell water park, and the older kids went water skiing. We could not have asked for better weather.

Thursday night we all headed over to Troy and Becky's house for a swimming party. (The only way to stay cool in a Texas summer is staying in the water). That night Allen told memories he had of all his brothers and sisters. I think everyone really enjoyed that evening reminicing. That night Allen and Gerberta and six of their eight children came to my house. Trina and her two boys came along with Evan's parents and Nancy, Rachel, Seth, Quinn, and Lance. I had a house full and was delighted. I love having people visit.

Guests started leaving on Friday. The reunion was so much fun. Evan's family is full of great people who are hard-workers, so willing to pitch in and help, and easy to please. We ate so much fantastic food. I think the total head-count was 45! We were only missing 21 people. Not bad for an immediate family of 66 and 2 on the way.