Schnepf Cousin Party 2010

After about 4 years we finally got together again for a little reunion. The last one was the Thanksgiving weekend before Nana passed away. That was the fall of 2006. Wow. Time really slips away. Deann decided it was time and with a lot of help from Mark and Carrie of Schnepf Farms we had a great get together. We enjoyed the hospitality of Schnepf Farms this year and they really did a great job hosting. All the kids had a great time on the train that circles the farm. Schnepf Farms is of course Raymond and Thora's legacy and Mark and Carrie have done a great job building it up and preserving their history. Their kids were amazing workers as they helped with running the rides and getting the food out and the other one thousand things that go on behind the scenes to make it a success.

Below is Duane, Mark's brother. It was nice to see him and many of his kids there. I, with my usual lame camera skills managed to miss taking pics of 90% of the people there. It was nice to see David and Shauna's family, Michael and Teralyn's family, and Keith and Suzanne's family. I didn't notice if the Cossaboom's were there because I didn't get a chance to get around to everyone. We of course miss Janet, but know her presence is still felt. Seeing her family legacy is wonderful. Such great kids.



Linda (Schnepf) Passey was there with Lori and her kids. Really nice to see them. Aunt Marg told me that it was Lonnie's Birthday that day as well as Grandma and Grandpa's Anniversary. Lonnie (Duane and Mark's brother) died in a plane crash many years ago now. I remember him as funny, onery, and full of life. He taught me to dance in their carport one summer. I learned the Twist, and the Jerk. Funny memories. Sad ones as well when he went down in the small plane in one of the fields.

Below is Darel and Marg talking to Kristi. We enjoyed seeing Kristi and Doug with their kids, Lisa and Greg with their family as well as Grandkids. Daren and Tiffany were there with their young'uns all representing the Don Schnepf Clan. We missed Kevin and Jill's crew and Kari was not able to attend as well and Don and Janet. Don's family hosted last time at their home and they did a great job. We were sorry to miss them this time.



Darel and Marg had almost all of their family there. We all missed Brad and Wendy and their family. Deann was there with her new husband Jay. It was really great to meet him. They had their family with them and once again, Thank's Deann for getting the plan in motion and getting us all together. Russ was there as well as Matt and Mary - they had some very cute girls with them, and Michael and Bob and all of their kids. Darel made the comment as we were sitting talking that there were sure a lot of good looking kids walking around. I agree. We have a very handsome family.



From Maudene and Bob's family (more affectionately known as Nana and Papa) The Harmon's were there, but a few of our kids had to miss out. Tawna and Nathan were there with Faith and Chance, Taya and Kevin were there with Kaitlin, Daron, Madison, Lauren and Emersyn in tow. Robert came with Grumpy and I. We missed Jade (who had to work), Jeff and their family, Summer and Jamie with their kids and Richard and Stacie's crew who were all out of town. Tracy and Kevin Grace and those that could come from their family were there. Sadly, Chelsey and Daniel live in California and could not be there, but Colby and Malea are here now from Utah and came. Rachel and her two boys, Duke and Boss (above) were there, Kamber and Lacy had to work so we missed them, but Shalayne and Clayton were there. Bob and Syd and Tanner were there too. Devlyn was working (that work thing gets in the way alot!) and Dallin is still on his mission. I did get a pic of them during lunch, but did not post it so my sister-in-law would still love me. It was not the best shot of Sydney as I happened to click just as she opened wide for a bite of lunch. I am always impressed (not) with my mad (not) picture taking skills. Papa was with us of course and enjoyed seeing the Schnepf clan. He and Nana always loved getting together and catching up with people.

From Max and Carolyn's family we enjoyed seeing Marlane (Donnie was MIA because of his scout calling) and some of their kids, Cara and Mike were there with Marlo and her little ones and Collin with his cute wife and kids. April and Clint will have to catch us next time. We all had fun following April at the Summer Olympics in Bejing, China. That was truly a wonderful event for her life and we loved watching the DVD Mike and Cara sent us of her Pole Vaulting event. Liz and Steve were there, but again, I didn't get around to see any of their family that may have been with them. We also missed Larry and Terri who were at the hospital getting a new grand baby and Doug and Saundra's family couldn't be with us this time.






It was a good party. We had a good lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs or chicken, chips and water, Coke or Sprite. That was followed by homemade pie from the Farm Bakery, texas sheet cake, chocolate cupcakes and homemade chocolate and vanilla ice cream from the Farm Store. To top that off, Mark and Carrie had whole fresh fruit pies boxed up to send home with our families. We weren't able to stay through the afternoon, but would have loved to stay and visit. After lunch people went out and enjoyed the attractions of the Farm and from what I hear, really had fun.

Thank's so much to those who planned and carried out this Family Reunion.
Deann for getting the ball rolling and all else that that entails.

Nana is smiling from above.

Weekend with Megan & Rylee

The weather was perfect (if you don't count the wind). We came, we saw, we had fun. After finally getting everyone to the right places on our way out, and the million other errands that needed doing, we decided to stop at Sonic (girls choice) for dinner. They were starving of course. We managed to get on the road for real about 7:00 pm. Upon arriving at the cabin, the pilot light on the fireplace was out, so Grumpy had to get that on so we could get warm. We wrapped up in blankets while the heat started to make the room warm. T.V. was good and then bedtime. The girls were up with the sun (not quite, but almost) and Saturday began.

Grumpy made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast while I slept in a bit. Then they were off to the clubhouse for some swing set time and then some billiards. I cleaned up breakfast and got ready for the girls to help with lunch when they got back. When they came in we decided chicken salad sandwiches would be yummy. The girls were great helpers to get things done. In order to accommodate our various likes/dislikes we made a basic chicken spread (just chicken, mayo and cheese) and then chopped/sliced olives, red grapes, and pickles. We just added our favorites to our own sandwiches. It was a fun lunch.






After lunch the girls and Grumpy got ready to play some Monopoly. I don't play games, so I cleaned up lunch. After playing for awhile, Rylee landed on one of Grumpy's expensive properties and had to come up with $1,000.00 for rent. She didn't have the moola. There were tears. I told them, now you know why I don't play games. Grumpy is great at games and is brutal. Ruthless. He helped her figure a way to mortgage her properties, etc., so she could stay in the game. Less tears. Then she landed in jail and was upset that she was in jail. I told her that was a good thing. In jail she couldn't land on his many properties and incur more rent/mortgages, etc. She was okay with that after a while. Megan seemed to accept all the strategies, and after all, It Is Only A Game, right? They had fun, I think they learned a lot and they still like Grumpy.




After the Monopoly marathon, I sent them to the little country store to buy a few things for dinner. They apparently visited Dairy Queen on the way and sat in the truck sucking down blizzards while Grumpy shopped. They each chose a veggie to go with the homemade Mac and Cheese that was on the menu. Megan chose corn (her fav) Rylee chose squash (one of her favs) and Grumpy chose broccoli. He loves almost all the veggies.




When they got back to the cabin I broke out the artist supplies I got for the weekend. These girls love to draw and color. There were 3 different kinds of paper pads each, an assortment of 62 markers, 72 crayons and a big box of colored pencils to choose from. They colored and drew while I got dinner prepared. It was a gourmet dinner and hit the spot. Then it was time for Guesstures.

We had lots of fun with Guesstures. It is one of very few games I will play. I don't do the acting part, but I do the guessing. They got better at acting out their words as they got some practice.





After Guesstures, Grumpy went outside and started a fire in the firepit. You guessed it…smores time. We found the marshmallow roasters and there were smores. They were outside for about an hour and back in for their movie of choice before bed. Grumpy went upstairs to prepare his lesson for Sunday, and the girls and I watched New Moon. Mostly Megan and I since Rylee (who insisted she wasn't tired) fell asleep in the chair. It was about 11:00 by the time we hit the sheets.

This morning was breakfast KP for Grumpy again. He made them French Toast (also by request). He is off to choir practice now and the girls are playing a round of Monopoly without him. Now they are just mad at each other instead of mad at him. LOL. There will be showers, fixing hair and then some lunch before Church. We'll throw on our Sunday best and be off to our meetings. Then it will be the drive home and a good night's sleep before back to the grind tomorrow. Well, maybe the grind to them, I'm sleeping in.

I love the time we spend with this two by two Christmas gift. Good times, good memories.

Easter

Easter 2010 was hosted by Richard and Stacie. It was a lot of fun and I always love any kind of meal with salads. We missed Papa this year, but he was in high demand. All the families came except Taya and Kevin's since they spent Easter weekend in California. They had a great time hanging out in Solvang and the Santa Barbara area. Lots of fun there for them. They ate at famous restaurants, went to a lovely beach, had an Easter egg hunt in the hotel courtyard and went to the woods for a picnic just to name a few of their fun events.

It's always a pleasure to go to Richard and Stacies. They their home is pretty kid proof and there is lots for the kids to do outside. Room to run and play. Thanks for hosting us guys!




Wow. Those are some expressive faces below…
I'm pretty sure there was some kind of food fight outside. Kids. Gotta live with them, can't kill 'em!





Summer and Jamie below, Tawna and Nathan (with his post surgery knee brace) on down the page.





We enjoyed cold ham, some great funeral potatoes, green chile/bacon appetizers, pasta salad, potato salad, broccoli salad, rolls, coconut cream pie, chocolate pie and a fruit salad. I love salads. I didn't get pics of Jade, Jeff and their kids. It was a come and go thing and I suffer from brain lapses where the camera is concerned. It was really nice to be together and I love it when we can do that. I miss our big family dinners. I'll have to work on that.

Grumpy on his phone below. He was on it most of the afternoon and evening because of the earthquake in the Baja. Lots of assessments to do for damage control. It was an interesting night. I'm just glad I wasn't any farther south than I am.



I enjoyed conference weekend a lot too. I love it when I can listen to such great speakers and still be in my nightgown. I really like being in my nightgown. It looks like it too. I need to upgrade my pajamas soon. Anyway, all my favorite speakers gave great talks and I thoroughly enjoyed all four sessions. Grumpy went to the priesthood session with his dad, papa went with Bobby and then to dinner. It was a wonderful weekend in spite of the earthquake. For us anyway.