Celebracation in Sunriver, Oregon

     When family spans four generations and is scattered all over the country, it takes a special occasion to bring everyone together.  But gather we did last week for recreating and celebrating the special occasion of my mother’s 90^th birthday. I must credit my sister Elaine for orchestrating this near-impossible feat. Being the oldest of three siblings (and having a natural tendency toward bossiness), she managed to schedule a time and place we could all meet. And what a place it was! Bittern Lodge—a vacation rental in Sunriver, Oregon—provided the perfect setting for both indoor and outdoor fun in the pleasant Oregon sun. I realize a narrative of someone else’s family reunion isn’t everyone’s idea of riveting reading, so I’ll keep this brief and hopefully more engaging by giving a quick photo tour of the week’s activities.

First things first. The birthday girl then
(1942) and now. (In the interest of full disclosure, her birthday isn't until Sept. 24., but this was the only time we could all work a group trip into our schedules. And, anyway, after 90 years, what's a couple of months?)












                    Location:

 

Sunriver, located on the Eastern slopes

of the Cascade Mountains, provided

miles of biking, hiking, and four-wheeling

trails that led to one scenic venue after another.

 

 

 

 

Recreation:











 

Thanks to nephew-in-law Justin, we didn't lack

for ways to get around on the trails. (No "minimalist"

vacationing for this group!)

 

 

 

Great-uncle Doug gave Bennett some operating tips. (Bennett didn't care that the four-wheeler was still on the trailer.) 

 

 

 

Lodging:

 

No back to the basics here, either. Plenty of room with 8 bedrooms--and (bonus!) 8 bathrooms.

 

 

 A kitchen large enough to accommodate many cooks. (I did my part by staying out of their way.)

And food:

(Can't forget food!)

The good stuff...

 

 

 the really good stuff...

and the REALLY, REALLY good stuff!

 

 

Most important--Family:

 

Mama and her sister, last two
surviving of 9 siblings.

Grandkids
 





Great grandkids
(I apologize I don't have a "kids" pic, as I
was in the picture and don't have a copy
of it yet.)
 



What's more fun than spending time with cousins? Spending time with FIVE of them!
 

 

 

Random moments:

 

Birthday dinner



Amy, our ad hoc historian

Doug, winner of our impromptu
One-handed Skillet-lifting
Competition!
(The skillet weighted 12.5lbs plus
another pot and lid of about 5 lbs.)









Smores...
 

and snores...
 



and a party-crasher!

 

To sum up the celebracation with a tried-and-true journalism phrase:

A good time was had by all!