Wharton Family Reunion 2009 in Deweyville, Utah

My mom's sweet family was holding a family reunion and there was no keeping me away. My uncles and aunts have been so kind and supportive to my family that I wanted to be there to see and hug each and everyone of them.

We were invited to stay Uncle Jon and Aunt Aleta's house. I was very excited about this because I remember what a magical place it is. My mom said Pat, the kids and I would be sleeping in the camper while she, Taylor and Melisa stayed in the house. Fantastic for me - little did I know until we pulled into the drive and saw the "RV" that my family thought I meant a tent. This was pure luxury and in the midst of beautiful country. After getting over the excitement of our sleeping accommodations, we started trekking to the back porch and were greeted by my favorite mystical creature: the tree pictured above. I am a huge fan of Lord of the Rings and I could imagine Merry and Pippin in the branches of this old Pine.

Now, as if this weren't enough (we hadn't even seen Jon and Aleta yet) the next thing spotted was a batch of kittens. My girls went nuts. They were tiny little things and wild as they come. We practically had to drag the girls inside to say hello.

Our first night there was much colder than expected and filled with mosquitoes, but after I was able to catch the runt of the litter, the girls wouldn't have cared if bats were biting them. It was love at first sight - and I knew we were in trouble...

We finally managed to get the kids to let the little kitty go and head to our bed, but first we had to get Taylor to climb up on the RV and get the daddy cat off the roof. He wouldn't stop howling, I begged T to get him down and when he grabbed the wild black cat it tried to bite him in the face! It was such a funny sight, I almost wet my pants. T didn't think it was as funny, but, believe me it was!

The next day we gathered in Deweyville's one and only park (all my friends kept asking, "What in the heck is in DEWEYVILLE?") and Uncle Darrell began the reunion with a touching history of my grandparents and the lives of all nine children growing up. Melisa and I were quite teary and now Uncle Darrell has a very special place in my heart.

My cousin, Keeley, Uncle Jon and Mom.

Little Miss Bug is full of surprises. There were A LOT of people there we didn't know, but she didn't care. When she saw that a game of volleyball had begun she told me she was a "champ at this game" and was off. There is an inexpressible joy in seeing your children truly happy and living in the moment.

I am framing this picture - my favorite of Maddy and Bella.

Bella went right to work on the fried chicken.

So did the rest of my gang. We hardly saw Mom, she was so busy chatting.

Kimm loves surprises and my mom sure got one when she and Anna showed up very unexpectedly at the reunion. My mom was in heaven.

Aunt Melisa with the girlies.

Bella giving me a bear hug.

Katie loves her Uncle T so much, she can't keep away from him. They wrestle, fight, toot, and even cuddle once in a while together.

Oh, did I mention they also bite?

There were great games for the kids, a pinata is always a big "hit" - ha ha.

Katie's turn, but she seems to me handicapped by the blindfold.

Bella didn't have a blind fold, but everyone needed to "GET BACK!"

These boys were so cute waiting with my girls for a crack at the candy.

To show my appreciation to my great extended family, I made a "Wharton Established" board and had Aunt Erma draw from the siblings names to see who would get it. Aunt Ethelene won and she smiled as she always does.

Nothing can keep Aunt Aleta from having a good time, not even that crappy old cancer.

Ya know, I don't think it could be called a family reunion without a game of bingo. Great prizes Aunt Erma, thanks!!

This group is intent on winning.

Well, it is back to the homestead where I had to catch the cat again and got bit, hissed at and almost pooped on. But, of course any danger I was in was worth the smile on Anna and Bella's faces.

Darn, this kitty is really cute and the girls have already named her "Patches". What is a guilt ridden mom to do??

One of the magical paths on Jon and Aleta's property, look in the distance - I think I see Frodo!

Ooooh. They are so cute.

Yep, they still have that kitty.

Taylor is enjoying the scenery and keeping guard for the stray Dingo dog that keeps coming around.

I made my mom pose in Aleta's walker with her soda, she looks like a little girl on a swing.

Aleta, Bella and Jon.

All my babies and Aleta and Jon.

Well, it looks like this Utah Wildcat is coming home with us. I can't believe I agreed to this. I have been waiting for my other cat to ascend for quite some time. Oh, but Patches is so cute!! Anyway, how could I refuse when I woke up to my cell phone going off every five minutes congratulating the girls on their new cat. Nice trick.

Grandma had to baby sit the kitty while we got treats, she did a good job.

To the Wharton Family: Thank you for such a fabulous time. Aunt Erma and all who were involved in the organization, you did a great job. Thank you. And a special thanks to Uncle Jon and Aunt Aleta for the magical stay and the wild animal.

~All our love~

By the way, "Country Roads" sung by John Denver is in tribute to my grandpa Wharton with whom I sang this song while he played his banjo.