Ashby Family Reunion

Alright, I have a lot to catch you up with. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, we had an Ashby Family Reunion.
Saturday, I think we brought our camera, but never took pictures. We drove to Lincoln to go swimming with the families that had already made it to town, namely the Gunnells (who brought cousin Eli Handly), and the Spackmans. Already there would be my brothers Andrew and Seth.
Seth had a Parks and Recreation swim meet which he dominated in both relay races and his events 50 yard Freestyle and 50 yard Butterfly. NICE JOB SETH!
Swimming was fun! It was Gwen's first time at a pool and she was possibly better than the boys were.
After that event, we all met at Cici's Pizza Buffet for dinner. The rest of the Handlys, Dad, Ben and two of his daughters Hayden and Briar (Heather was working and foster daughter Addy was with her bio parents) and my brother Steven met us there. Andrew was supposed to be at work but he gave someone his shift and surprised us at the restaurant!
After that, everyone pretty much went their separate ways. We headed back to Omaha.
Sunday, I went to our own ward to teach my Primary class and then picked up Matt and the kids and headed back to Lincoln for Abel Handly's baby blessing. Abel was very considerate to be born just in time for the reunion. Yay!
After church we had a potluck dinner at the church. Everyone previously mentioned (minus Heather who again was stuck working) plus Joe and his family was there. So my parents, all nine of their children, five child-in-laws and 19 of their grandchildren were there. One granddaughter was with her mom and two grandsons are yet to be born this year. AMAZING!!!
Again, we drove home without pictures taken because the camera was left behind. Monday, we all met at a location to have our picture taken at 11am.

Back row left to right (name and birth order): Andrew 8, Seth 9, Steven 1, Ben 6

Front row left to right: Kate 3, Maggie 5 (yes I am a middle child), Dad, Mom, Emily 2, Rebekah 7


All the grandchildren minus just one!

Our photographer was willing to take a few individual family shots as well.

We thought the plan after that was to have a picnic. But that plan changed by the time we got to Lincoln. We'd promised the boys they'd see a park that day so we picnicked with just ourselves. Apparently we chose the same park as a huge group of AA Independence Day celebrators. Good for them!
After that we actually met at a church again. The men folk played basketball while the ladies chatted and children played.

Steven Senior and Junior watch the others sweat it out

Alek showing his dad (Andy) how shooting hoops is done!

The twins, Kristin and Heather! (Who are actually women who married Ashby brothers and discovered they have similar quirks)

My beautiful sisters!

My loving hubby!

My Dad and nephew Titus

My mom (Grandma to these munchkins) is entertaining with balloons.

Ansel missed the first round of balloons and patiently waited for Grandma to give him one.

Sofia, holding Abel. She is practicing for her baby brother-to-be.

While we were picnicking, Mom and others waited for Grandma Martin to come from Norfolk. She got her fill of great grand babies!

Matching ladies, CUTE!!

Great Grandma and Titus

Great Grandma and Abel

By evening time on the 4th, Kate and her family went home. Rebekah and her family also stayed home since baby Abel is so young. But the rest of us made it out to Bennett, Nebraska to meet up with the Eliker family on their farm. A FANTASTIC tradition! Incredible fireworks, food, friends and fun! Emily and Andy's children had never seen any fireworks bigger than say, a fountain, in person. So they were mesmerized by what they saw.

Here they are preparing the big show!

I have no idea who the little girl in the middle is. Maybe I should have blurred her face...

Reid was authentically freaked out but he uncovered one eye long enough to say, "Cheese!". One artillery shell went awry and came straight at us. I reflexively covered his face and after it fizzled out I touched us all over to see if any clothes were aflame! Quite startling, but wouldn't be a Fourth of July at the Elikers if it DIDN'T happen!

I was very excited to reunite with my dearest friend Cecilia. Her hubby is no photographer, but I'm glad to have this picture of us anyway!!

Here is her adorable family.

The post is too long and I did something weird to the text in the beginning of it. I don't know how to fix that... Anyway, BYE!
~The Hoveys