Last weekend we drove to Texas for the Bailey-Phillips Family Reunion. I recognized the Reilly Springs Community Center when we pulled up even though I hadn't been there in 13 years. This is the town where my grandparents grew up, and it's about 8 miles from Sulphur Springs, where my dad grew up. I love it here. I have many fond memories of going to my grandparents house for holiday's and summer breaks. My dad is one of five boys so every get together was huge. Lots of aunts, lots of uncles, lots of cousins, lots of laughter, and lots of love. Those gatherings made me want a big family, which is one reason that we have three kids of our own. Because my grandma had five boys, I just knew that I would have all boys as well ... wrong!
The inside of the Community Center was a step back in time. It started off as a school and ended up as a community center. We found a picture on the wall of my grandpa and his classmates in 1925. We also found a picture of Johnny Cash. I'm sure that Johnny would love to know that he performed on the same stage as my kids. Bailey felt like a true Star singing up there.
This picture is the reason we got together. This is my dad and his four brothers. I admire these five guys alot. I always have.
This is my cousin Jordan, and our families. Jordan and I were inseparable anytime our families got together, so it's neat to see how we've multiplied. She got the all boys ... go figure. Of course, I wouldn't trade my three girls for anything. They are my reason for breathing.
My husband and brother decided to gaze into each others' eyes compare mustaches. I'm still not sure whether to be grossed out or impressed by all that lip coverage.
No reunion is complete without laughing at old family photos and remembering the good times.
How many licks does it take...
Pure joy times a million!
This trip wouldn't have been complete without Lou meeting her Great Aunt Marvilou. I think it made both of their days!
After the reunion we went back to the hotel to relax a bit before meeting a few cousins and uncle for dinner. My cousin chose a new restaurant in downtown Sulphur Springs. We were very excited to see the city alive again. Downtown has been "dead" for as long as I can remember.
You know downtown is hopping when you have two see-thru toilets on the square. I can't lie, it took all I had not to press my butt up against the glass to see if anyone could see it.
After dinner, we finished off the night with a horse and buggy ride. The kids and I had a blast, and Bailey said that she felt like a real princess. She was doing the pageant wave to everyone we passed. Good times indeed!
I love my family. We are blessed to keep in touch through Facebook, but there's nothing like sitting face to face and getting to visit with one another. The next reunion is already in the works, and I guarantee that it won't be 13 years from now.
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