Girl's Week

Every year me and the gals get together (mother's, daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins, A.K.A anyone in the female line of business.) This year we learned to embroider and knit, and of course, try out some new recipes.


The weather was good enough to float one day. And tolerable for lounging by the river. One afternoon Jana taught us how to make hairbows.


Nola gave everyone frosted tips (that's a hair term mind you...younger folks know it as highlights), haircuts, perms, and scalp massages. Oh wait, I'm still waiting for that one.

Jana gave Grandma Great a makeover with a spikey hairdo and wild makeup.

And then the candid moments...


Ashley: "Mom, check out these buns of steel!"

It was a fun week for everybody that came.

Williams Family Reunion 2010

The last time the Wild Williams Clan was assembled together was for Grandma Kathryn's funeral. And the last organized reunion was held at the cabin in 2003. So it was about time we reunited and had a party! With a little motivation and small beginnings, Brittany took on the task of getting the family in one spot. Who knew there would be such a great turnout that prompted a full-blown celebration! We consider it a blessing that so many people were able to make it.

With 79 members in attendance, the family continues to grow and getting to know all the new additions can be a challenge. Trista designed the T-shirts and included all family members names on the back... 118 in total. Wowzers! I wonder if Otis and Kathryn had any idea when they married in 1937.


We had a good time enjoying the company amongst yummy food and fun activities. The games began and had all young and old racing to be named victor.







Following the games, a water fight broke out. I'm pretty sure Grandma Sam showed the grandkids who was boss.




And what reunion at the cabin would be complete without floating the river? Of course a major water war broke out complete with pirates and lasted the ENTIRE float trip. A lot of screaming, crying, and laughing was had by all - adults included. :) Drew got off the boat shivering and crying, "Did we win?"


Also distributed was the long awaited "Our Family Faith" book. Dixie started a year and a half ago collecting faith promoting stories from all family members that wanted to participate. She organized the experiences into book form for all to have as a family treasure. Shandy, Hope, and Pam were gracious enough to help out with design and printing and even included a priceless gift of Otis and Kathryn telling their life histories on CD.


And then of course a Williams tradition...the Virginia Reel with Garth at the organ. "Chicken in the bread pan picking out dough!!!"





Thanks everyone for the fun time! Until the next reunion...

Grandma Sam's Sixty!!!

What a wonderful excuse for the family to reunite! Must be some special lady to have ALLLLLLLLL of her kids and grandkids come for the celebration! We didn't know if we would pull it off considering life is in major upheaval for several of the family members, but for less than 24 hours, we basked in the presence of 25 relatives...offspring of Garth and Sam Williams.

The cousins had a good time playing together and creatively entertaining themselves. Here the older girls convinced their younger siblings to ride the whales across the cold river while they pulled them in pursuit of an obstacle course win. It was funny to watch as one by one, the younger siblings would fall into the frigid water and reconsider their decision to participate.


Trista put together a great Olympic themed party to kick off the birthday festivities. We enjoyed games and trivia before being entertained by the cousins who had secretly choreographed a dance presentation to one of grandma's favorite songs..."My Boyfriend's Back."


Drew is pumped up for the the football throw.


Here's the winning team of the tug-o-war...no thanks to Hallie who incurred rope burn early on. :)


After dinner, we had a more touching program with Grandma sharing something she loved about everyone and presenting them with a medal of honor, "Grandma's Gold."


And then she was surprised to receive a book of testimonies from all of her children and grandchildren and treasure the movie recap of her life put together by Trista. What better gifts to give. We love you Mom! Happy Birthday.