Kickball Mango Style

The family reunion was a wonderful time.  Since we were gathering to honor my father-in-law, we chose to play a lot of kickball.  This was one of Dad's most favorite activities.  He insisted that it be played at almost every family gathering.  We all enjoyed it.

Picking teams was the first order of business.

Several of the youngsters opted to go swimming with Uncle Bob rather than play kickball.  It was refreshing.

T-Bob did a lot of the pitching for his team.

It was nice that there was actually enough players to have a good game.

My DH kicks a foul ball.

The Uncles and many of the Aunts all played.

Karen had good follow through.

Uncle Jon wore his work shoes to get a good kicking surface.

Thomas gave the ball a good ride ...

... and then took a good rest after scoring.

Lisa started off playing, but then had to stop as her hip was hurting.

We even had fans and observers.  It was a great day and I think Dad would have been very pleased to see the fun we had and the sportsmanship that was exhibited.  He would have enjoyed joining us.  He played well into his 70's.  He was a real game player.  We sure miss him.

Mango Memorial

The week of the fourth of July the Mango family gathered together to have wonderful time and to remember our Dad/grandfather/husband/brother/friend who graduated to glory in March.  Steve had organized all this and brought along a big tent and a grill and many other things.  He organized the schedule and was the Master of Ceremonies.  He handles his role of 'firstborn' well.  He borrowed a truck and trailer to bring all these things. 

T-Bob and JoAn carrying a table

Everybody pitched in and helped set up.  The weather was gorgeous for the whole time.  

Steve leads the meeting as we plan the schedule and events.  The JoAns listen.

There was a family meeting after lunch.  There was to be two a day, but there was only two over the whole time.  No one seemed to mind.  We all managed to follow along and find the right activities even without a lot of meetings.

T-Bob spent the first bit of the gathering finishing up the lawn mowing.  He does a nice job and even seems to enjoy it.  That young man loves to drive!!!

Everybody enjoyed visiting and spending time together as a family.

The cabinet that was used for Michelle's graduation was the perfect thing for the party.  We stored all the glasses and plates, flatware, etc in there in the tent.  It was so convenient.

Mary caught the smallest fish

The fishing was done frequently, and enjoyed by all.  The little ones were introduced to fishing and the older ones were reminded why they liked to fish.  It was a fun activity enjoyed by all ages all together.

Many of the young folk stayed in tents all along the pond.  It was a nice dry spot.  

The weather was cool and jackets were used  the first couple evenings.  Little Josef enjoyed snuggling with his mama.  He is getting so big. He is four now.  He is the youngest grandchild.

The big tent was the center of activities.  We ate all our meals there. 

My Mom in law really enjoyed getting to visit with eight of nine of her children and many of her grandchildren.  It was nice to see her relaxed and enjoying all the visits.  She really seemed to get stronger while she visited with us.  She enjoyed her time on the farm.

Charlotte loved all the farm critters and liked to hunt frogs.

The children enjoyed playing with the chicks.

The sunsets were beautiful.

All the cousins joined together and played capture the flag.  They used glow sticks to denote teams and as the lines.  It was so neat to see all the cousins (other than Josef, he was too little and in bed.) playing together.  Even some of the uncles joined in.  They played for a couple hours.  The rest of us sat and enjoyed a campfire.  It was a pleasant ending to a long day.

The Blessing of Family

I am truly blessed to have a strong Christian heritage and to come from a loving family. We had a wonderful time at our family reunion this year. There were about 65 people. In the early days ( the early 1950's), there would be about 150 people come.

We have held it on the same Sunday at the same place for over 60 years! They had pictures there from the early 1950's. I saw my mom as a 15 year old. That was special as I don't have a lot of pictures of my mom growing up. I was surprised at how much Michelle looks like her. The only difference is that she is blond and Mom had dark hair. They have the same willowy build.

This is the 'old man's row'. The men sitting here have changed through the years. I remember when it was my Grandpa, Uncle Bricel, Uncle Merle, and Uncle Paul sitting there. Actually, I remember when the generation before them, my Great Grandpa Lambert and some of his siblings would sit there and watch the 'youngsters' play softball. Now they are all gone. It is a good example of how time marches on. Our existence here is so fleeting. We need to make sure that we have planned for eternity. I am thankful that so many in my family have known and loved the Lord Jesus.

One part of our tradition is that we always have games for the children with prizes. I remember doing sack races with my cousin's when I was little, and now my children are enjoying the same thing. This year they tried using plastic garbage bags for the sacks. This was not a good plan. The bags tore before the children had hopped more than three or four times. Then it became a running race.

Everybody brings food and we enjoy a nice dinner together. This year we were extremely heavy on fried chicken and desserts. It is so nice to see family. A reunion keeps one connected. This year we were blessed to have some of my mom's cousins come in from Florida, and several other distant states as well as my mom's brother from Saskatchewan, Canada. Some of these people we hadn't seen for 15 years. Yet, although they looked a little older*, we could pick up where we left off. ( We did have to introduce them to a few of the children that had been born since we last were here.)
*I, of course, look the same.

It was neat to see the old pictures and remember and honor those we love who are no longer with us. It is fun to find out what everyone is doing with their life. Some things are sad and others we rejoice at.

I am so glad that God created families for us to live in and be connected with. I know that not everyone has such blessing, but I thank God for all my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, parents, siblings, and close family friends that come.

Growing up, I always knew I was loved. As I grew older, I discovered the warts and imperfections in the family, but because of God's love, we are able to love one another. To know that one is loved by God and family is one of the greatest gifts any child can receive.

I am blessed that my children and nieces and nephews can grow up in this environment. It is special.

The young and the old (sorry uncle, but you qualify) and the yet unborn, enjoying family and fellowship.

~Mom