Every 3-5 years the Morrison clan gathers for a weekend of family fun. We're missing a few folks, but we'll get them next time around. The last time we had a reunion it doubled as a wedding reception for Casey and I, way back in 2008 in TN. Four years later here we are again and as a family we've added a few husbands and a couple of tiny people. Bringing Gavin's generation to a total of three, with hopes of more to eventually follow. States represented in this photo, from West to East: Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia. We sure know how to spread out.
Grandpa Bill with his three children and each of their grandchildren.
Some fun trivia: Papa Rod had two boys and now has one grandson.
Grammy Shelleen had four girls and now has one granddaughter.
Grandma Ranae also had two boys and now has one grandson.
God clearly decided who would be the boy and girl parents a long time ago.
Four generations of Morrison men, and athletes.
Grandpa Bill coached baseball and basketball and is quite the accomplished senior golfer. Papa Rod was his high school's starting quarterback and accomplished in basketball. He also taught himself soccer and played on an old man soccer team later in life, while his boys played. Daddy Casey took took his high school soccer team to a state 5A championship, and won.
And then there's Gavin, who has a love for all sports at the moment, but leans most heavily toward baseball, and has demonstrated a recent interest in lacrosse.
Four generations: the girls
Four generations: Grandpa Bill, his youngest daughter, and all her handsome boys
Grandpas. Looks like Papa Rod has his arms full of Gavin
and Gavin has his hands full of cookies. A preference for both.
Grandpa Bill with his great grandchildren.
We celebrated two birthdays last weekend, Grandpa Bill's 86th and cousin/uncle Chris's 28th. How 'bout them apples! I do not have any pictures of Chris's celebration,
but he also had a birthday cake and of course balloons, which all the kids loved.
During a quiet moment on the back porch I leaned over and asked Grandpa Bill if he had any words of wisdom to share, from the perspective of an 86-year-old. He gave me some good advice about following my gut and intuition and then said he couldn't give me any marriage advice, as he's been married three times. However, the one relationship he has no regrets about is the first. And then, as he spread his arms across the width of the back porch, encompassing all those that were on it, he said, "because it gave me all of this." He then thanked me for asking him. Happy Birthday, Grandpa Bill.
The fourth generation Morrisons range in age from 7 to 2. It was great to watch them get to know each other and hopefully begin a lifetime of memories. Our parents' generation are finally grandparents! What a blessing. Which makes their parents great grandparents.
It's not a Morrison family gathering until the instruments and musicians come out to play. So far we are three living generations deep in musical talent. The tradition goes much further than that. I wonder which of the littles will carry the torch into the next. Music appreciation starts early around here. I was very pleased when Gavin quietly came over to me and whispered, "mama, dance with me." I hope he does this every time he hears music.
Papa Rod and Nana Cathy arrived bearing gifts for our little athlete. Nana brought a full soccer uniform, which Gavin wore the entire first day we were there. I'll have to get pics later. Papa brought two new little league baseball bats, three little league baseballs, and some fancy
batting gloves to help Gavin learn where to place his hands.
We played hide-and-seek.
We played in the lake.
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We played in the dirt. I was following Gavin and Nana out the back door when I heard Gavin say, "Nana, remember when I go to your house and play diggers outside?" I could tell Nana was happy he could remember that. It's something he did every Friday when he would spend the day with his Nana in Tennessee. It was one of their special activities. In fact they would often take a trip to the local Tractor Supply to pick out a new toy tractor for his collection, which he kept in a shoe box at Nana's house. When we moved Nana gave him the shoe box but kept a few of her favorites.
She brought those with her to Arkansas and Gavin was happy to play with them again.
You can always count on Nana to think of everything.
She surprised each of the little kids with a whistle/flashlight and sparklers.
She also brought a paddle-ball game.
She surprised each of the little kids with a whistle/flashlight and sparklers.
She also brought a paddle-ball game.
Our view from the back porch. I sat out here a lot.
We just hung out. We ate. We laughed.
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