Since the late 1990's the my parent's family has tried to have regular family reunions. Sometimes we have had them 2 years apart or sometimes (depending on circumstances) 3 or 4 years apart. We got kind of organized a few years ago and divided up the responsibility for planning the reunions to pairs of siblings. This year it was my and the Himes family's turn to plan our reunion. After talking with all the different families, it was determined that we would like to try something new this time and have our reunion in the East. Some of the families had never visited the church history sites in New York or seen the Hill Cumorah Pageant that is held there each year. We decide to plan the reunion so that all who were able to come would get to not only enjoy some great family time, but see some amazing sites as well.
Our plan turned out well. The only thing that would have made it better is if everyone would have been able to come. But, as the families get older and more spread out, the chances of everyone coming get less and less. Both the Himes family and the Bruce Tucker family were not able to come this year along with Abby, Marc, and Jim. We missed those that couldn't come, but had a great time in New York nonetheless!! Here is a little sampling of our adventures. It took a lot of work, but I was so pleased with the way it turned out.
THURSDAY, JULY 17
This was the first time that we headed out to the Tucker reunion in a car!! Emily and Stephanie flew to New Jersey with their little boys before the reunion and then drove up with us. We took two cars up and one car stopped in Allentown, PA to pick up Geoffrey. Janelle's family came from Boston in their car, too. All the other families from the West, flew out ahead of time and took in some other sites before the reunion. Then we all met in Victor, NY at the Homewood Suites for the reunion. It was about a six hour drive for us from New Jersey. Emily, Jimmie, Stephanie, Karsten, Nathan, and I headed out in the first car. It was our plan to get there first so that I could go to the grocery store when I got there to get the things I would need for the reunion meals, etc. Steve, Megan, and Evan came in the later car and stopped to get Geoffrey. We were laughing during our first hour on the road because we called home many times to tell them to get something we had forgotten. After a few calls they just answered the phone by asking what else we forgot. Pretty funny. The babies were very good, and our trip was pretty uneventful. A good start to a great adventure!!!
Jimmie and Karsten asleep in their car seats on the way up...This was Em's view :)
The trip really took it out of them :)
When we got to the hotel, the Strobels were already there because they had come a day early. Their schedule did not allow them be there the last day of the reunion, so they came a day early so that they could see the church sites. My parents also arrived the night before so they got to see some of the sites twice. Emily, Grandpa Tom, and I headed out to the store to get what we needed. Grandma, Steph, and the others stayed to play with the babies.
Then it was time to sit back, enjoy each other's company, and welcome families as they arrived. So fun!!!
Karsten and Steph in the hotel's pool - It was a big hit with the kid's especially
There he goes.....Mr. Water...doing his thing
So pleased with himself :)
Jimmie preferred taking selfies
From the minute we checked in, the hotel staff couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. The hotel had a huge area with tables that they used for serving breakfast which our group made good use of the whole time we were there. We used it to serve two of our dinners and also as a game playing area at night. We kind of took over the place, but the staff was good with it and it worked out perfectly for everyone. As people got there that first day, we just played games, gave hugs, and enjoyed each other's company. The hotel served a light dinner that first night we were there and almost everyone was there in time to take advantage of it. Janelle's family was the last one to pull in that night at just before midnight. Time to get this reunion going!!!!!
FRIDAY, JULY 18
The first official event at the reunion was originally not even on the schedule. I'm so glad that we got it on there. During pageant time, the Palmyra Temple is extremely busy and any temple sessions are by appointment only. I had not thought of scheduling a time for attending the temple far enough in advance. Jeri tried to see if we could get a baptism time and they just kindly told her that it just wasn't possible. But Jan decided one last time to check with the temple, and she was told that they just opened up another baptism session for Friday morning and since she was the first to call, we got the slot. Such a blessing!!! Some of us stayed at the hotel with the younger kids, but a big group including Grandma and Grandpa and a bunch of their kids and grandchildren were able to do a baptism session. It was the perfect beginning to the reunion!!
So thankful for this tender mercy.
Later that morning we headed to Roseland Waterpark. It was a small little park, but the weather was perfect and I think that everyone had a great time.
Here's Lucy showing off her crawling skills at the park
Jimmie - just relaxing with his WubbaNub
Grandma Jill with Karsten
Grandma Tucker enjoying her grandkids and great-grandkids
Jimmie, Evan, Alan, Grandpa Tucker, and Scott playing while Grandma watches at the
Splash Factory
Snack time - James, Janelle, and Megan
Alan with his Uncle Evan - What a pair!!
Lucy trying out the water with Daddy Scott
Grandpa Steve chillin' on the lounge chairs
Grandpa Tucker taking in the sights
Geoffrey - crashed poolside
"Aunt Meg, did you see my new phone?"
Karsten - loving that apple
Glamour Shot!!!
Such a pretty day!!
Grandma Jill and Karsten
Can you tell he likes the water?
Just trying to keep up
Karsten and his mommy
I think we wore poor Jimmie right out!!
Toward the end of the time at the park, Alan and James decided they wanted to go on a tube ride. Scott and I went up with them and I half expected them to back out, but they didn't. The four of us went together in the big tube with a bottom in it and even with the back and forth up the sides of the slide, the boys did ok. Alan decided that once was definitely enough, but not James. He went up again for a second ride. We had so much fun!!
Thursday night was the night we chose to go to the pageant. The weather could not have been more perfect. There was no humidity and the temperature was just right. We all got matching sky blue shirts and wore them the night of the pageant. Since there were 41 of us, we made quite a seating block in the crowd.
Before the pageant started, we took pictures with the scenery in the background. After the photo shoot, we headed to the different places there at the pageant to get food. Our family enjoyed a great chicken dinner sold by the local Rotary Club.
Funny story.....As we pulled into the parking lot at the pageant, who should pull in right next to us but a group of 20+members of the Atlantic City Branch from our home stake. Such a small world. It was so fun to give them hugs and see their reaction to the event. I am sure it was certainly a once in a lifetime trip for each of them.
The Egberts L-R Hannah, Frank, Olivia, Jeri, and Spencer
The Strobels L-R Sawyer, Caitlin, Austin, Katie, Matt, John, Zach, Jan, Ben,
James, Nick, Jake, Rebecca, and Spencer
The Tuckers L-R Samantha, Brian, Morgan, Annjennette, and McKay
(Brian's oldest daughter, Abby, was back in Idaho finishing up her semester at BYU-I)
The Foulk's L-R James, Scott, Steve, Alan, Janelle, Nathan, Lucy, Megan, Geoffrey, Emily, Jill, Jimmie, Stephanie, Evan and Karsten
We missed having Marc and Jim with us but sure appreciate their letting their wives and sons come!!
Here's one of almost the whole group - Actually - funny story - Jan's youngest son Zach walked back to our seats after their family photo was taken and didn't make it into this group one so we took some others after that. Since I don't see him in this photo...this must have been one of the first ones. :)
Just the boys - even Zach....
....and the girls!!
Here are some candids from the evening. So much fun to be all together!!
Jeri, Hannah, and Jan
Olivia, Samantha, Sawyer, and Caitlin
Megan, James, Lucy, and Scott
(Looks like Evan and James found some device to play on in the background)
Stephanie and Karsten
And another sweet on
Jimmie with Grandma Jill and Grandpa Steve
The Robertsons - Lucy, Scott, James, Janelle, and Alan
Ummm...not sure who Grandma Tucker is talking to,
but I think she's definitely trying to get her point across. :)
Ahhh...Jamesy!!
Waiting for the pageant to start
Meg and James eating popcorn
Some of the cast members with Stephanie and Karsten
SATURDAY, JULY 19
We planned Niagara Falls for the next day with the highlight being a ride on the Maid of the Mist. This big boat takes you right out to the falls and lets you feel the spray as the huge amount of water comes over the top. It is an amazing ride. Despite a little glitch with parking, we all managed to get to the starting point on time to make our ride. This was our rainy day which put a little damper on the sight seeing we were to do after the boat ride, but if we had to have rain, this was the day for it. When you ride on the Maid of the Mist they issue you ponchos because you get so wet on the ride. I think that because of the rain that day, we got even wetter. But we sure had a lot of fun!!
Alan - all ready for the adventure
James and Janelle, Megan and Alan
The Robertsons taking it all in
Well, one of these two looks like they're having fun
Ummmm...not sure what Jimmie is thinking - Em is pretty easy to read :)
A view of the falls as we got closer
Geoffrey getting blown by the wind on the boat
Grandma and Grandpa Tucker holding on for the ride
Evan LOVED IT!!
Megan and Evan
Samantha and Nate (who was apparently thirsty?)
There was a little less water and wind in the center, lower part of the boat
There are the smiles!!!
The view of the American Falls from the observation tower....the Canadian Horseshoe Falls are in the background.
Janelle and her family - post boat ride
"Well hello, Brian!"
The Foulk Fam after our great adventure
A happy Grandma
Karsten and Stephanie up on the platform
Evan, Alan, and James checking out the falls at a little closer viewing point
Trying to decide what we wanted to do in the rain -
Karsten, Stephanie, Nathan, and Hannah
Same group - plus Olivia
"Hi Great-Grandpa!"
Jeri, Spencer, Grandma, and Frank
Karsten and Lucy spending some time together
Lucy being such a nice girl
What a sweetie!!
It's always amazing to see the amount of water that goes over these falls.
Breathtaking!!!
Some very wet guys on Luna Island, American Falls
Nathan, Geoffrey, and Steve
The view from Luna Island
Bridal Veil Falls - Part of the American Falls
These falls are located between Luna Island and Goat Island
A happy selfie - Nate and Meg
Uh-oh....some serious rain damage to the crossword puzzle :)
Our three grand babies (Karsten, Lucy, and Jimmie) at Fridays where we finally got lunch.
Lunch, I'm afraid was an adventure in and of itself.
Since it was a rainy day and the day before had been pretty packed, we were happy to come home and just hang out for the late afternoon and evening. We had pre-ordered some trays of delicious Italian food from a local restaurant in Victor, made a nice salad and bread to go with it, and had a yummy dinner all together in the dining room at the hotel. It was so much better than trying to take everyone out and much cheaper!!
Then, of course, the games, swimming, and visiting commenced and continued until the wee hours.
Some serious Hand and Foot happening here...
...and here, too!!
And, of course, a little Celebrity Meltdown! So much fun!!
Jan's family had to leave early the next morning so we all had to say our good-byes after the games.
We were sad to see them go, but so glad they were able to come for those two days. Nothing like getting all those cousins together!!
SUNDAY, JULY 20
On Sunday morning, we traveled to the town of Fayette to attend church and see the Peter Whitmer Farm.
After Sacrament Meeting the missionaries stationed there had all the tourists come to the chapel and then took groups out to see the farm house. They took our group first. We said afterward that we liked going first, but probably missed some of the history of the site because we didn't get to hear the information given in the chapel after we left. We took lots of photos behind the house which was so fun.
Our family group - minus Jim and Marc. Love these wonderful people!!!
Brian's family - minus Abby
Jeri's Family
Karsten and Hannah
Lucy and Scott
Annjennette striking a pose
They started it all.....Glenda and Tom
Just us and our kids - it was so fun to be all together
James being James w/mommy
Trying to get photos with the grandchildren was a little bit of a challenge.
Enjoy!!
Janelle's family trying for a shot....
.....and again.......
...Pretty darn good!!
"No Samantha, I do not want to be in any pictures!!"
My parents and their three children there that day
Brian, Mom, Jeri, Dad, and Jill
My parents with their grandchildren there that day - Such a great group
Steve and I tried to get a photo with our grandchildren...but we were short a hand or two.
Love these five little ones!!!
Alan at the Whitmer Cabin
Sweet Lucy - just look at those eyes!!
And that smile!!
Karsten checking out the chinking between the logs...
....and contemplating life.
Jimmie having some fun with Aunt Megan
Alan with a great smile!!!
Evan got a photo with John Bytheway at the visitor's center at Fayette. Jeri had spotted him earlier and Evan was brave enough to introduce himself to this famous LDS author and tell him he had read his book, How To Be Totally Miserable. Brother Bytheway then said to Evan, "But you look so happy?"
Evan asked to be in a photo with him, which Brother Bytheway was happy to oblige him on. Very cool!!
Inside the visitor's center there were some fun little interactive games for the kids. We had a tough time getting the kids to come with us when we were done there. At the chapel site, there was a shelter with tables where we had some sandwiches. Who knew that a lunch shelter could produce such fun photos. It was so great being with family!!!
Nathan
Alan
Lucy
James
From Fayette we went back to Palmyra to see the church sites there. I had hoped that by planning the church site seeing for Sunday after the last day of the pageant, the crowds would be less. Our planning worked and we had no problem with being able to see all the sites we wanted to. The rain had stopped so it was just a little bit humid, but not too bad. Overall, the weather was great for the whole reunion. I had kind of joked that I had turned the weather over to my sister, Julie, up in heaven, but I'm pretty sure she came through for us on that one. Thanks, Juj!!
Evan and Alan on the road to Palmyra
Grandma Jill and Jimmie just seeing the sites
Emily and Jimmie at the Smith Cabin
Just a sweet photo of Lucy
In the sacred grove
James and Alan - such sweet brothers
A happy James
Such an amazing place
Lovely!!
Stephanie in the grove
At a crossroads
Lucy, Karsten, and James
Karsten contemplating it all
Emily and Jimmie As they walked along, Jimmie put his head back and just stared at the trees as they went by. He was mesmerized by it all.
All together in the grove....so nice
Taking a minute in the grove - Geoffrey
So peaceful
My Mom and Dad
Steph and Karsten....
...checking out the trees.
Coming out of the grove - the path to the homestead
Grandma Tucker with Karsten
Janelle, Lucy, James, and Megan - at the threshing barn
Alan at the barn
Steve and Geoffrey
The Smith Frame House
The road that runs in front of the frame home
Jimmie during the frame home tour
James and Grandpa Steve
Janelle and Lucy
After the Smith Homestead and the Sacred Grove we went to tour the Grandin Press Building where the first Book of Mormon was printed and to Alvin Smith's grave and the Martin Harris home. We then went over to the Hill Cumorah and drove to the monument at the top of the hill. The following pictures are from the hill.
Lucy at the base of the monument
Family members at the top of the Hill Cumorah
Olivia, Hannah and Samantha playing with Karsten and James
Brian's son, McKay, who left on his mission to the Dominican Republic about 10 days after this photo was taken. So glad we got to spend some time with him before he left. What a great young man he is!!
The Angel Moroni Monument at the top of the Hill Cumorah
Lucy, Hannah, Glenda, Megan and Geoffrey
Looking down at the stage and the seating area from the top of the hill. We were amazed that the day after the pageant was over the chairs were all already down. The last night of the pageant was a rainy one and we were so glad we had gone the night before.
We didn't want people to have to go out to dinner on Sunday, so we did another meal at the hotel. Since the kitchens in our units had no ovens, we had brought crock pots from home and we made pulled pork sandwiches with salads, watermelon, chips, and drinks for the whole family. It worked out great!!
And then, imagine this, there were more games that night. Here is a big group playing Signs while some of the men are playing another game at a table in the foreground. So great to see all the family having so much fun together. Loved it!!
MONDAY, JULY 21
Monday was check out day. Some families had to leave early and some of us stayed till about 10am. James had a birthday coming up on July 23rd, so we gathered in our room to have him open presents from us and from Great-Grandma and Grandpa. We had some ice cream bars that needed eating, too, to that made our little party even more festive.
Our family plus Grandma and Grandpa Tucker
James opening up his presents
Eating ice cream and reading from the new joke book with G-Grandma Tucker - Perfect!!
James with his book - books are his favorite!!!
Yummmm!
So much fun!!
Another great Tucker Family Reunion - Thanks to everyone for coming and helping!!
There really is nothing like being together.
