After months of planning and digging through family photo albums, we had a wonderful time at the Johnson Family Reunion on Saturday night. Congrats to fellow committee member Trish, who got ALL her family there, and to Diane, whose mom Cathy still has clout....her children all came per her request (or maybe I could say it was an order!) What a show of respect for their parents that all those kids came. Well they are kids to me, because I am next to become the oldest generation :o) But I don't mind that. I could watch all the reunion activities unfold with a lot of knowledge and past experience. However, I did learn something new....when I went with Grandma Johnson to California on the train in 1964, I thought that was her first trip to California! Well, now I know she was there on the beach with Grandpa, probably around 1947, judging by Susie Burnett's size in the photo of the three of them.
The photos I have posted are in chronological order of how the evening unfolded.
1. 5 of the 6 committee members scrambled to ready the Fireside Room at Hamilton's and then bellied up to the bar for a quick celebratory toast
2. Uncle Ralph and Agnes arrived, and he greeted us with "LET THE FUN BEGIN!"
3. He spoke briefly to the crowd of around 100 about the personalities and talents of Everett and Marge Johnson. He showed us Grandpa's pocket watch and a gold coin brought by Great-Grandfather Evan from Norway. Uncle Bobby was slated to lead us in prayer, but in his absence, Uncle Ralph prayed with us; finally TIME TO CHOW!
4. A photo of Karen and her daughters. Three pretty Johnson girls.
5. A Family Tree Cake brought by Barbie and her sisters
6. The photo and memorabilia table, including Grandma Johnson's diploma from business college. Uncle Ralph described her as "highly intelligent." I've seen those genes passed on in a few people :o) I chose to display the photo of Dad in his work clothes holding a grandchild. A great representation of him. There were photos and books Aunt Margie sent of Norway, and a collage of photos of Mary and Earl with Heidi's children. People browsed at the table all through the evening and learned about their Johnson heritage and relatives who are not here.
7. Time for the power point trivia game, "What do you know about being a Johnson?" There was a bit of resistance early on, but when the game started, all eyes were on the screen. A roomful of Johnsons were ready to play, and Carolyn did an amazing job of compiling all the photos, questions, and answers, into a fun and informative experience. The group was divided so all the generations could be represented at each table if possible. The discussion among team members was most active when a photo of Jamie and Cathy's family was on the screen, and the question was "Name the members of this family from l to r." Actually Jamie and Cathy and their kids were pretty busy all through the trivia game.
8. After collecting and scoring the answer sheets, Carolyn replayed the trivia questions and gave the answers as some of Ralph's family watched from the rear. Ralph's team was determined the winner. Prizes of Johnson and Johnson products were given to the members of the winning team by Trish, who did an exceptional job finding the assortment of items for the prize basket.
9. Uncle Ralph seemed delighted with his prize for his team's first place finish.
10. Team photo of the winning team.
11. Team photo of the reunion committee. We agreed we enjoyed working with each other so much that we are going to get together again sometime before Christmas just for fun.
We are a blessed family.
Blake, his friend Jacob, and I got home from our visit to Phoenix in the wee hours of the morning. The trip home was easy. We each stretched out in our own 3-seat row because the plane was only 1/4 full. Tony made the middle-of-the-night trip to get us, and I did my best to chat with him to keep him awake. Well maybe for 30 minutes! 
