Friday, August 5, 2011

Family Reunion in Missouri

I just returned to Florida from a family reunion in Missouri where I had a wonderful time visiting with my parents and other family members.

On Wednesday, July 27th, I started out with my flight from Fort Lauderdale.  I always love looking out the window at the water and boats below.

I flew into St. Louis where I rented a car and drove to Hannibal, Missouri.  I  stayed with my parents at their home, Robards Mansion Bed and Breakfast.  I'll tell more about their home and the town of Hannibal next week!

On Friday, we loaded up and headed toward Houston in the Ozarks of southern Missouri where our family reunion was to be held.  But first, we stopped off at my mother's hometown of Salem (this picture is the Dent County Courthouse in Salem) to visit some cemeteries and decorate some of the family graves.  This is a family tradition and my parents were unable to make the trip on Memorial Day.

My nephew, Jon, drove all the way from Pella, Iowa to meet us there.  He was a great help in placing the flowers in the ground.

Our next stop was the farm where my maternal grandfather had lived.  The house was built in 1900 when my great-grandparents were married.

At one time, this was the largest farm in Dent County.

We made one more stop at Stonehill Cemetery, way out in the country, then we drove on to my Dad's family reunion in Houston.

My cousin, Ken, and his wife, Jeretta, hosted the event at their home for the second year.

My Dad got to see two of his sisters.  Unfortunately, another sister broke her hip the day before the reunion and was in the hospital.  A brother, who lives in Florida, was unable to make the trip.

Of course, lots of photos were taken.  Here I am with my nephew and parents.

These are the first cousins that were present at the reunion.  My sister and four other cousins were unable to attend - maybe next time!

We made one more stop, on our way home Sunday, at a cousin on my mother's side of the family.

After attending church with her, we enjoyed lunch at her beautiful home.

All too soon it was time to head back to Hannibal.  More about that next week!

 

4 comments:

  1. Oh, what a wonderful time you must have had! I do hope you'll show us your mother and dad's B&B! What a beautiful area and I'm from the deep south and there's a time in the spring called "Decoration Day" where everyone comes and brings flowers to decorate their family members graves. Lovely memories you've made.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Candy,
    I love your name!!! A family reunion Woow!! I am an only child and my Dad was an only child and my Mother could have been. Never had a family Reunion!! Never had any family except Grandpa and G-Ma.
    I am from Fla and can never think of living anywhere else.
    I am so happy you came for a visit, please please come again. I love new friends!!!
    xx, Fern & Tinker.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks like fun! I hope you took pics of your parents home inside!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ummmmmm - a blue living room with a piano? My kinda cousin!

    How wonderful to be able to meet with so much family -- in so many beautiful places. You are a blessed woman, indeed.

    ReplyDelete