Hayes Family Reunion

My dad's parents celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary after Christmas.  Grandpa is 97 and Grandma is 94.  They're such an inspiration to everyone they meet.  To celebrate their anniversary, our family planned our biggest family reunion yet.  The "elders" (Grandma and Grandpa's kids -- that's what we nicknamed them) planned for weeks and several of the grand kids worked out all the details, choreographed, designed t-shirts, arranged food, planned the techie stuff, etc.  It was quite the event.  Grandma got really sick a few days before the reunion, and it was a miracle that she was able to make it.  When Grandma and Grandpa came into the room, all of their posterity was up on the stage getting ready for a family picture.  Only 3 families weren't able to make it.  Grandpa said he had never felt more moved by an experience in his life.  I can't imagine what that would feel like to walk in and see this (see below) - which all started from them.  The amazing thing is that all of the people on the stage came from just 3 children - Aunt Sarah (who has now passed)- 13 kids, my dad- 4 kids, and Aunt Rachel- 8 kids.  They had 2 other children, but their first was a stillborn (Christine), and their youngest died when he was just 8 years old (Spencer).  There are 95 great grandchildren so far and 3 great great grandchildren.   

We started the reunion with dinner (well, it really started with rehearsals a few days before), and then the main event was afterward.  We had video and pictures of Grandma and Grandpa through their childhood, dating, marriage, years of having children, church callings, and their passions later in life.  After each clip, we had a performance by one of the age groups in the Hayes family so that everyone was included.  My cousin Tamra worked tirelessly on the music and choreography, my mom choreographed and accompanied as well, and Aunt Rachel searched every thrift store possible and produced some of the cutest costumes for the kids.  I could tell that all of the cousins had a great time whether they were 2 or 16.  It was a bonding experience for everyone and definitely an event to remember. 

Hazel got to participate in the pageant part of the show, and boy did she love it!  I thought I was going to have to drag her across stage, but when they called her name, she went out with a big smile and held out her arm like she had been on stage a hundred times.  It was awesome.  I gave her a little twirl and she ran off.  Later she found a trophy and some heels, and she didn't mind me taking another picture.  I think we have a diva on our hands!   

The Hayes girls said we would do a Ragtime number on the piano, which fit into the 20's part of the show.  We talked about how we would do it before the performance, but we didn't actually ever play it all together until the real thing!  Risky!  It wasn't perfect, but we had a great time. 

I hope Grandma and Grandpa felt the love we all have for them.  They have been and continue to be the greatest examples of love of life, faith, and family.  I think we Hayeses all agree that we're proud and blessed to be part of their family.