party for PaPa...

L-R: Me, my Aaron, Katelyn {and Emerson}, Bradley, Aaron, Mom, Nikki, Ellie, Jeff & Cara

Last weekend we got together to honor a great man. War hero, father, brother, grandfather, friend and husband... he wore many hats. Cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.... everyone was there! We never really all get a chance to get together unless something tragic happens. It's sad because it's so great to see everyone together... it makes me realize how great of an extended family I really do have.


PaPa's medal collection. So impressive!

Sure, every now and again someone will throw a comment at you that can only make you shake your head but hey, that's family. In reference to PaPa, his family is pretty large:

5 daughters
2 son-in-laws
13 grandkids plus 7 spouses
13 great-grandkids

At last count, there was 37 people at Aunt Connie's that day... if you know anything about my family, you would feel my pain. Between the 5 sisters trying to "direct" the below shots, to the lil' ones burning off their pent up energy, it can get pretty overwhelming. Once the wine kicked in though... things mellowed out and we really got a chance to catch up with each other. It was great.


L-R: {ready for this!?}
Standing: Bradley, Aaron, Katelyn, Bradley, Sara, Katie, Tenley, Ronnie, Stephanie, Raquel, Joey, Evan, Uncle Jay, Jason, Uncle Ron, Joe, Aaron, Nikki, Christopher, Kelly, Cara, Jeff, Svetlana, Erich, Ashley & Lucas
sitting: Aunt Dian, Aunt Marlene, Ellie, Adrianna, Aunt Vickie, Mom, Ellie, Aunt Connie, Olivia, & Me!


My 4 aunts, 2 Uncles and my Mom

I have cousins in town and some as far away as Colorado and Arizona. I don't ever see ANY of them. Growing up we never really got a chance to really form strong bonds with them... it just didn't happen. I think we are all at a point where we would really like to change that. When Mamie died back in 2009, the idea of a 5-yr family reunion was brought up. If we are on track, we are about 3 yrs out from our first official Laux family reunion. It's just too bad Mamie and PaPa don't get to see it play out. I know it was also mentioned that in 7 yrs, we should do a destination trip... sign me up! Do you think everyone would be down with me making matching t-shirts? No?! God bless the city we end up at... they are in for quite a time!

All in all, an amazing night. Even towards the end... tequila was introduced to some family members who couldn't remember the last time they had a shot! Cheers to the Laux family!



*Lu