It's Getting Closer...

Each year over Labor Day weekend, our family has a campout.  NOT a "family reunion"...that phrase is verboten in this family!

This gathering is held on my sister-in-law's property--5 acres of land, all green, cozy, and country.  We all pitch tents or drag the trailer or RV along; there is plenty of room for all.  We've had upwards of 90 people; the usual count is somewhere in the 60's.

We started almost 24 years ago.  It began as a consequence of a bad camping experience only about 10 miles west of SIL's property, where some of the family met to camp.  However, the place that year was swarming with yellow jackets.  The little ones were getting stung, so SIL suggested everyone retire to her place--after all, it was close by.  So the party transferred to her property and, viola, a family tradition was born.

Those little ones are now grown, married or in college.  More little ones arrived as time went on (mine included) and now they too are nearly grown.  The youngest ones are now in their early teens and naturally with time we have lost our parents, aunts and uncles except for a handful of them.

Hodgepodge meals have evolved into a schedule where whoever wants to may sign up as a family to provide a meal during the long weekend.  We've had Mexican fiestas, tropical delights, and even cajun fare!  And everyone provides sweets that cover a large table.  If you go away hungry from here, it's your own fault!

And then of course there are volleyball games.  Those of my generation used to be the prime protagonists here; now we've given way to the younger generation.  One year (not too long ago) my husband blew out his knee diving for the ball.  No more volleyball for him, needless to say.

There is also a pond which the younger ones throughout the years have used as their own private swimming hole.  The water's cold but after 90 degree + temps, it feels mighty good.

Seems like each year something memorable happens...there was the year that one of the tents got caught up in a gust of wind and sailed several yards away into the neighbor's property.  What a relief to find that the occupant's baby wasn't inside at the time as we had all feared!  And, the year that it was so cold that most of us broke the rule of staying outside as much as possible.  I was coming down with a cold and couldn't get warm so I drifted into the family room, only to find nearly all of the kids watching "Grease", with an Auntie reminding the kids that smoking is bad, and we won't smoke like they do in the movie, now, will we?

I'll be sure and report on this year's shindig when the time comes.