Ankeny Family Reunion

This past weekend about 90 members of the Ankeny Family got together at Tilikim Center for Retreats in Newberg. My two cousins, my sister and I had been planning this family reunion for the past six months. We had a lot of fun conferencing about this reunion via phone and email. And we pulled it off. We all had a lot of fun. Family members from a year and a half to 80+ were in attendance. The reunion was purposely planned to have plenty of free time a long with bits of scheduled activities to bring everyone altogether.

We played an Ankeny Family Bingo game that was the first night's mixer. It was great because we found out a few things about each other that we didn't know. Then the next night we had our talent night. It ranged from the 16 month old attempting to play his piano piece to a french horn solo, saxophone solo, a poem recitation, a trio singing a song and "MR. Magic". We had a great night. There was a lot of talking, laughing, crying, eating, hanging out, playing games and just being together. Probably the best part was our worship time on Sunday morning where family members shared how God is working in their lives. We prayed for a cousin who is dealing with cancer, young adults spreading their wings, people who have been ill and general health and safety of our families. God is good!

Milestone

I turned 50 on July 11. But, on July 7th my family, husband, children and sister planned a surprise birthday party for me. Since we work at a camp our summer schedule is horrible at times. So the best time to throw me a party was on a Saturday between two camp sessions. And surprise me they did! Wow. I was blown away. On Saturday am the 7th Michael, Melissa, Joseph Thouvenel and Leslie Murray (Tween Camp Director) and myself went to coffee shop to have a "meeting' about Tween Camp registration. While at the coffee shop in Garibaldi I thought I saw my brother-in-law Ken drive through town. Every one was wondering what I was doing as I ran out the door to see where he went, but I couldn't find him. Then Michael's cell phone alarm or ring kept going off and all he did was just stop it. Then they decided to go to the marina in Garibaldi to see a big conference room to "maybe" have a camp staff celebration there. I was taken to a room upstairs with about 60 people waiting for us. I was blown away. I had absolutely no idea that they were throwing me a party.

The best part was that my daughter Amy had flown in from Colorado to be here and then she said she was staying for three weeks so she could help at Tween Camp, hang out with us and be here for our Ankeny Family Reunion that we just had this past weekend. What a wonderful 50th Birthday party!

The kids gave me a beautiful mother's ring as their present to me. I was totally thrilled and feel SO blessed to have wonderful children. It was also touching to have so many close friends, relatives and camp staff be at the party that I was speechless. Me, Bev speechless. Yes, it did happen.

For all of you who planned the party and for everyone who attended, THANKS. I feel so blessed to be loved by so many wonderful people. All of you have made my life rich.