Coming Home is one of life's best moments. I believe it will be one of the next life's best moments also. So this blog is dedicated to what I view as the best moments of life.
The downside of having a large family is that finding a date for a reunion with no conflicts is impossible. The upside is that even at 75% the house is full of Stokers. 23 Stokers were in town, 8 of which didn't know they could come until the last minute. 4 Stokers were at large :( We missed them and will get them next time.
The official reunion started Saturday July 16, but the fun started with the arrival of the Brandon and Mallory Stokers on Wed. July 13,
followed by the Jacob and Alexa Stokers and Rebecca and the Nathan and Ariane Stokers on Friday. Erica and boys and the Eliza and Joseph Erickson family came on Saturday with Daniel arriving Sunday. We tried to get Andrew here on Monday, but the buddy pass gods were angry and he was not successful.
Jacob and Rebecca
Caden, Nathan and Rebecca
Each arrival added to the excitement, and it was demonstrated to me once again how motherhood is an investment that seems expensive at times but comes with some gigantic payoffs. I recognize the blessings that are mine and that I have received much more than I have given.
Sister surprise. Eliza didn't know Rebecca was coming.
Erica, Landon and Caleb. Mallory, Annabelle, Isaac and Josh, Hyrum
Sisters, Rebecca and Eliza
Cousins, Landon and Isaac
Daniel finally made it
Brandon's Annabelle and Eli and Nathan's Caden
Brandon's Josh and Isaac
Mallory and Josh
Eliza and Emmaline
The amazing maze Josh made for the talent show.
Nathan and Ariane
Caden meeting Uncle Brandon for the first time
learning the ways of Nerf
Brandon and Eli
Jacob and Isla watching the pop.
Daniel just loves sister cuddles.
Erica and Daniel
Brandon, Mallory and Josh. Eliza and Joseph
2 yr. old cousins Hyrum and Eli
Uncle Nathan and Emmaline
Caden and Ariane
Emmaline and Joseph
Grandpa reading Trumpets and Grumpets to Hyrum and Isla
Here's how it worked: Mallory planned all year with input from Joseph, Eliza, me and some others.. Jacob set up a google doc for shared ideas. I borrowed a million pack n plays, car seats, and boosters (Thank you friends.) One of my dearest most discerning friends saved the day by loaning her van for the week. It's the only way we were able to transport this crew. And Paul and I stayed at some vacationing friends' home to make room for everyone at our house. I don't know about my children and grandchildren, but I slept great.
We had some jobs to do before the reunion. We needed to prepare a talent for the talent show, make a movie for Oscar Night, and choose a song of the year for the family CD which Jacob compiled. Each family was in charge of a dinner and a lunch. Leftovers were allowed. Each family was also in charge of an activity. We filled in the schedule holes with swimming, movies, games and helping the babies.
Saturday night we kicked off the official festivities with the "Guess who chose this song" game. It's going to be a great CD this year.We always ask people to tell us their dreams so we can schedule it in. The talent show is my dream. My children and grandchildren gift me with performances that amaze my unbiased heart and I am happy.
Sunday we tried for a photo shoot before church for anyone who was ready. The mom's got the kids dressed and turned them over to the camera. We were joined by some dads for support. We click, click, clicked and called it good.
Emmaline
Emmaline, Caleb, Isla, Annabelle, Josh, Landon, Hyrum, Isaac
Joseph with Isla and Emmaline. Nathan with Caden. Brandon with Eli. Hyrum, Annabelle, Caleb, Josh, Landon, Isaac
Stokers filled up 2 pews at church. Best Sunday ever. The activity in the evening was dessert and Clue-cha-phone followed by other party games.
Monday was Nerf and a fantastic water activity planned by Nathan and Ariane. My lawn pouted after we spent hours on the slip and slide, but I love seeing the brown swath and remembering all my beloveds sliding down the soapy slope. Besides, this is Georgia. 10 days later and the grass has filled in again.
Tuesday was a big day, the first tri-annual Stoker Oscars, hosted by Brandon and Mallory. Our entries had been submitted, but the girls had to take a trip to the thrift store to purchase glitzy gowns. We not only found sparkly dresses, but bow ties and cummerbunds. Everyone looked fab.
This wedding dress was just so beautiful, it had to be modeled.
Oscar loot
Red carpet pics: Joseph, Eliza, Hyrum and Emmaline
Josh
Annabelle
Caleb
Hyrum
Gabe
Isaac
Eli
Caden, Ariane and Nathan
Brandon and Mallory
Erica, Caleb, Daniel and Landon
Jacob, Isla and Alexa
And if you want to view these amazing original features they can be found here:
Wednesday was awesome water balloon volleyball and other balloon games planned by Daniel and Erica. That night Eliza and Joseph had us playing, "Do you love your neighbor?" (a big hit with the cousins), and writing nice notes in everyone's autograph books. So much Stoker love going around.
Other activities included touring Senoia, the guys playing hotbox frisbee, jumping on the trampoline, crafts watching Dr. Who, cleaning up throw-up, taking many trips to the grocery store and one trip to the emergency room, a Nike factory outlet run, learning the "Fake ID" line dance, 200 loads of laundry, looking for keys, refereeing cousins and eating lots and lots of popcorn and ice cream.
Alexa finally eating a real GA peach.
Josh' s Lego creation. "The guy sleeps under the pool. And here's the food storage."
Waiting for the girls to come
And then family by family, they started to leave. Luckily, some stayed on for post reunion activities. That helped soften the blow. We had a girls shopping day, a southern experience at Truett's Luau,(the food is Hawaiian, but the restaurant is only found in Fayetteville) and an epic trip to Legoland.
Now we're down to 4 visitors. I love hearing their voices in my house, even the unhappy nighttime ones. They might as well just stay.
Where the video magic happened
Lake Horton
And just so we never forget the fun, Eliza and Joseph turned it all into this awesome music video. Thanks for the most fabulous party of the year. xoxoxoxox
