Edmonton

July 31 - August 3, 2009
AC127 YYZ-YEG, AC8511 YEG-YZF

The last family reunion on my mother’s side was in New Brunswick in August 2007.  There have been a few new additions to the family since then and at two years it was definitely time for another get together.  This was one was quite special in that 100% of my aunts, uncles, and cousins and their children were present.  Although no one can say for sure the last time that everyone got together at the same time we’re pretty sure that it had been at least about 30 years.  With my cousin Miles coming from South Korea, my cousin Neil and his family coming from Monterrey Mexico, and the rest spread across the country, it was certainly an amazing feat to get everyone together.  With the abrupt change in rules requiring visas for Mexicans traveling to Canada it was touch and go if Neil’s wife Marta was going to make it, but thankfully everything came together in the end.  The weather was a little dicey at times, but we were creative and made do with everyone pitching in.  My cousin Patricia who lives in Edmonton did a great job in organizing it and kept us well fed with some amazing desserts and a wonderful spread on Sunday night.

July 31
Flew to Edmonton Friday afternoon and arrived for dinner at the guest houses

Patrick hiding in the jumpy castle

Emmett; cousin Roberta’s son and the newest addition to the family

Shawn supervising, Jade, Stephanie, Natalia, Patrick and Zola

My aunt Jane and my cousin Patricia (the master organizer)

Natalia enjoying the slide

Shawn playing his home made traditional Nordic game

Jade looking very serious

My uncle Joe watching the action

Cousins Carolyn, Karen, and Carla

Fria (my cousin Conrad’s dog) getting lots of attention from Katherine

Aaron holding William

Hanna looking very competitive

My cousin Ryan, being ganged up on by Hanna, Jade and Natalia

Ryan and Jim being competitive brothers

Aug 1
Many kids go to the W, Edmonton Mall water park.  We shop before dinner gathering

The next morning Fria is getting more attention

Hannah and Ryan in deep conversation

William having some dress-up fun in the basement

When it rained, we got creative. Luckily, the wind died down so we could open the door

My great aunt Jean and daughter in law Gail

With the rain outside, the kids get creative in the basement

Carla is supervising, but Hannah seems to be in control

My aunt Lea celebrated her birthday -- a good excuse for cake (not that we needed it)

A well choreographed show with Hanna, Natalia, Maia, Stephanie, and Carla

Natalia, Maia, Hanna and Stephanie

My aunt Lea with the gift of a potters wheel from my uncle Wally

Zola notes that every princess needs her downtime

My mother relaxing as the day winds down

Aug 2
We went for a walk in the valley and then family photos and dinner at the house of my cousin Patricia and James

Patrick and Zola getting ready for photos

Everyone walks to the park for photos

Marta, Stephanie, and my cousin Neil

Cousin Karen and my mother

Cousin Elizabeth prepares Katherine for the photos

Aaron, my cousin Carolyn, Maia and Zola family photo

Wally and Lea wait for their turn in the photo shoot

Patrick with his father Shawn finally tired of running out of the photo

My sister Kim and Cathy waiting in the shade for our photo

My dad with my uncle Wally

Dorsey spins Zola on the photographer’s stool

Cousin Roberta holds her young son Emmett

William desperately tries to escape the photo, but my cousin Patricia (w/James) holds on

Family photo, Conrad, Ernie, Carla, Hanna, Beatrice and Fria

Me trying to capture a photo with my aunt Jane in the background

Family photo, Lea, Wally, Ryan, Miles, Mahli and Jim

The 5 siblings, Ernie, Pat, Neil, my mother, and Wally

William gets yelled at by Jade while Stephanie supervises

We celebrated Ryan and Mahli’s upcoming wedding with a cake and some champagne

Roger and my dad at the dinner table

My aunt Beatrice

Playing outside after dinner

Brian and Kerrie celebrating their wedding anniversary with a cupcake

Aug 3
Travel day. We check in at the guest houses to say goodbye and fly to Yellowknife