Lundberg Family Reunion

 This weekend was the Lundberg family reunion here in St George.  What a whirlwind weekend of fun.  Aunt Debbie was in charge and she is a master of parties!  On Thursday we met for street tacos and pickleball  tournament at Sullivan Park.  Colt and Rebekah organized the tournament and came dressed to the nines in full pickleball gear.  I was especially happy that Wilson, Max, Sam and Eliza all chose to come.  We got our Lundberg fanny packs with cool 80s sunglasses and chapstick and Debbie served snowcones and Grandma's upsidedown German Chocolate cake.  Maddie brought her famous coconut macaroons and I think she should start a business.  They are the best anyone had ever had.  Of course Tony and Russ started competing right away by putting the fannypacks on their heads and inventing games of skill.  

On Friday we met for a "fun run" that turned into a walk around the park with about 8 people-then breakfast at the Lundbergs.  Tony took the young adults and teenagers to the lake for surfing and the little kids went to Dinosaur park to ride the train and play in the water.  Debbie and I ran to Smiths to get lunch and we spent the afternoon at the church out of the heat.  Debbie had "pull back car races" and games for the kids.  Finally the boaters returned and we hurried to IHOP for dinner with the "core four" while the older kids set up the church for Grandpas surprise 80th birthday. It was so fun to see Grandpas face when he walked into the church for a big surprise from all his posterity.  We had pie and ice cream and had a fun White Elephant gift exchange.  It was especially fun when the competition got heated over some of the things inherited from Aunt Mai, Grandpas sister.  She had jewelry and a collection of McDonalds pins that were highly sought after.  

On Saturday we had an intense pickleball game out our community park between Tony and and Zack (Zack was the winner!) We met again for brunch at our house-(the world's best salad bar and sloppy joes).  Megan and Jason blessed their youngest baby Natalie and we took a family picture.  It was utter chaos and pure joy.  Most of the families left after lunch,  so the Winwards and we spent the afternoon with the Chris Burr and Melanie and David Marshall families at their VRBO.  It was a great rental property; we swam, talked and ordered out Cupbop Korean for dinner.  I think Debbie was exhausted, but she gave her heart for this reunion and it was a wonderful time.  

There are hard things in families.  People take more than their share of food, we have differing views on politics, we have mental illness like depression.  There are times of marital discord and disobedient, even naughty children.  What feels good about a reunion, is the opportunity to come together and find the good in each other.   We can dote over cute kids, be empathetic for parents struggling and cheer on teenagers struggling with their identity.  I like the way we can all pour out love on Tony's parents as we bring them "joy in their posterity."  I'm happy to be a Lundberg.