Family Reunion

This past weekend was our annual Farr-Howe Family Reunion (my dad's family). This was the 28th year. The past two years, we have hosted. No, we didn't have everyone to our house, so maybe organized is a better word. Matt and I arranged the hotel rooms and dinner reservation as well as sending out the invites to everyone!. Not everyone is usually able to make it, but we usually have between 45 to 60 people!

These reunions all began the year after my great grandmother passed away as a way to keep getting together as a family. Before she passed away, the family usually gathered together for holidays. As the families were expanding and getting together less often without the common denominator (my great grandmother), these reunions became tradition. And we have been having them ever since.

So, this year was no different. We had a great day of fun and memories. We always gather for lunch on Saturday, then go back to the "meeting place" for socializing and catching up (the kiddos swim, nap and play).


Then, we all have dinner together (more family usually joins for dinner).


Afterwards, we gather for family pictures. We start off with the individual families of the original 4 siblings (and sometimes their cousins).

My family in 1982
We were often the smallest group since my dad was an only child

My family today

Then move on to generational photos, starting with the oldest down to the youngest. My grandfather was the oldest of 4 kids. At the time of the first reunion (August 1982), they were the oldest generation, and I was part of the youngest.

Oldest generation, 1982
my grandfather was the oldest of his siblings and is in the middle

Oldest generation today
(all that are surviving are my grandpa's cousin, Sara (left) and his 2 brother's wives, Irene (right), and Aline (not pictured)

First generation cousins 1982
My dad is in the brown shirt on the right

First generation cousins today

Youngest generation 1982
Children of the first generation cousins

Those kids all grown up today
No longer the youngest generation

Youngest generation today
Great grandchildren of the original 4 siblings
Cate is on the far left and Max is the fourth from the left

First generation "outlaws"

Second generation "outlaws"

After all the goodbyes are said, we part ways for another year.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family who values our roots and continues to carry on the traditions, memories and love of those we have lost!