We are Family!

I spent the weekend in Mississippi with the fam. Sunday was the annual Gray family reunion. This event has taken place every summer since 1932. We are most certainly a tradition-loving people. I have spent this Sunday at Wal Doxey state park almost every year of my life. Visiting with everyone, eating (OK overeating), sharing pictures and stories, hugging and being hugged. The reunion unfolds the same way year after year. Peepa arrives first (around 9:30) and the whole crowd has congregated by 10:30 or 11:00. The Gray's head for the right side of the pavilion and the Black's take the left. We talk across the tables, but we stick to our sides in a funny way. The Blacks are a family whose children were taken in by my family (the Gray's) when their parents passed away. I think this happened in the 30's. Since then, the Grays and the Blacks have gathered as a family year after year. This year's reunion was nice and cool. It felt good to see everyone. It also felt good to eat some of my favorite things: Craig's Green Tomato Pie, Mary's Creamed Corn, and Pam's Chocolate Cobbler. Yum!


The remainder of the long weekend was spent with two of my favorite folks, Mom and Dad. Are they cute or what? We had a great time. Talking and laughing and just enjoying each other's company.


Highlights from the weekend include:
1. Tapas on the porch (aren't we fancy?!)
2. Dad's swank new "dress" Crocs in chocolate brown - Happy (late) Father's Day!!
3. The Next Food Network Star marathon during our post-reunion food coma
4. Dining at Longhorn after Mom's long campaign to get one in their area (no jackalope, but still fun)
5. Seeing the lake where Wheedler (the duck - yes, he has a name) has been relocated
6. Drinking coffee and watching the Today show together
7. Hearing my Mom's friends talk about how much they love her
8. Playing with my cousin's boys (Luke and Russ)
9. Falling asleep in their great leather couches
10. Getting ready in the AM with Mom