Edmonton
Jul 31-Aug 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.
Jul 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