Romney Family Reunion

We had a wonderful family reunion this past Friday. My cousin Rosemary started planning it a year ago. It is the 100th anniversary of Park and Vilate Romney's marriage. They had 9 children. There are only 2 children still living--Aunt Merlene and Uncle Milton. There are 4 spouses of the children still living. Aunt Merlene's husband, Walt, Uncle Milton's wife, Carrie, Uncle Clyde's wife, Marion, and Uncle Derald's wife, Sue. Rosemary got as many people involved as she could. She made sure that anyone who was related got invitations by regular mail, e-mail and word of mouth and flyers from other family members. One cousin did research on geneology and had quite a few names to take to the Temple for ordinances. Those who were able went to the Salt Lake Temple Thursday night to do some of them (I wasn't able to go). Friday morning we gathered at the cemetery where Grandma and Grandpa and most of the brothers and sisters and their wives who have died are buried. We reminisced on what we remember about both grandparents and about our growing up years with each other. It brought back great memories. Friday night we met at a Stake Center in Murray. Cindy and Natalie researched and wrote a book with life stories about Park and Vilate. It took many many many hours. Our family was in charge of the dinner. Kathy and Laurie planned it. We all helped prepare, serve and clean up. We had crackers and tortilla chips and veges with special dips (spinach & artichoke dip, dill dip and mango salsa). There was lettuce salad with cranberries and pecans. The main course was slow cooked chicken in cream cheese sauce over angel hair pasta, and peas. The dessert was a variety of small pastries--carrot cake, brownie bites, pudding tarts, chocolate chip cookies and chocolates. The only problem with it was that we were in the kitchen most of the time and didn't get to mingle very much with everyone. They had a wonderful program where various cousins dressed up as Park and Vilate, and both of their sets of parents on each side of the family (5 couples total). They each told a little about their lives and how Park and Vilate finally met and married. They lived hard lives. We definitely have it easy compared to them. It is great to remember our heritage.