Some of my highlights at the Ison Family Reunion:
1. My Cousin Martha (and her little boy Dallin) got to come to the reunion and stay with me at my house. It had been 15 years or so, since she had been at a reunion, and I hadn't seen her for at least 6 or 7. It was so fun to catch up with here and be with one another. We have been best-cousin-buddies since we were young. We used to be each other's best pen pals growing up.
2. I loved having Grandma Ison there. (She has been saying for at least the last 2 reunions, that she might not be at the next. We only have them every 4 years!) She was so happy to have all of us around her. She said over and over how much she enjoyed the weekend. She told me, "I just cried and cried" (happy tears) because she was filled with so much gratitude and love.
3. Having Aunt Loma (grandma's baby sister) there. It was fun to catch up with her. She enjoyed all of the great-grandchildren. She commented to me several times on how she just couldn't get over all the little brown-eyed kids. So cute. (Oops, I accidentally erased a picture here.)
4. Visiting Grandpa Ison's grave site. This was one of grandma's requests for the reunion. She wanted to show everyone grandpa's headstone. On the back side of the headstone it lists, "Our Chicks" with all of the sister's names; Jocile, Hertha, Angela, Lora Dawn, Jana Lee, Kristen. (Grandpa was a poultry farmer. He raised chickens for many years and then eventually had only the egg hatchery and route.) Chickens are a part of our heritage.
A picture of Grandma and Grandpa's grandchildren in attendance
Grandchildren with spouses
Great-grandchildren in attendance
Grandma doing what she does best.... loves and hugs.
Grandma Ison is 94 years old! She is an amazing example and wonderful person.
5. The raffle. There were many cute, useful, and fun items entered. Taylee and Rylee both won a ride on the Harley with Wade. Soooo cool. Taylee beamed for the rest of the night. 
Wade and Rylee getting ready for their spin around Lake Lowell.
6. Sunday morning was the sweetest for me. Many of the families, from out-of-town, gathered at grandma's to pack up, make a lunch and say good-bye. I watched as they each took some time to talk to grandma, take a picture and say their farewells. Many sweet tears were shed off and on all morning. We were all so happy to have been together and were sad to leave one another.
A picture of Grandma and Grandpa's grandchildren in attendance
Grandchildren with spouses
Great-grandchildren in attendance
Grandma doing what she does best.... loves and hugs.
Grandma Ison is 94 years old! She is an amazing example and wonderful person.
5. The raffle. There were many cute, useful, and fun items entered. Taylee and Rylee both won a ride on the Harley with Wade. Soooo cool. Taylee beamed for the rest of the night. (She's our adrenaline junky.)
Wade and Rylee getting ready for their spin around Lake Lowell.
6. Sunday morning was the sweetest for me. Many of the families, from out-of-town, gathered at grandma's to pack up, make a lunch and say good-bye. I watched as they each took some time to talk to grandma, take a picture and say their farewells. Many sweet tears were shed off and on all morning. We were all so happy to have been together and were sad to leave one another. Some of us went to church with grandma. It was nice to be there with her and to be a part of her legacy. After church, many of us stayed for lunch and more chatting.
Other memories and highlights of the reunion: reading life predictions from the previous reunion (funny), swimming and crafting at the hotel, the fish pond for the kiddos, sharing memories of grandpa, the "Liar's Game", lots of yummy food, good visiting and good company.
A wonderful weekend. Thanks to those who organized and to those who came. See you in 4?!!
