1048 Sunset Boulevard

Everyone Write Some Memories

August 6, 2008 | Reunion 2008

It’s time to write some memories of our VERY MEMORABLE  2008 PAGAN-POLHEMUS FAMILY REUNION.

I will start at the beginning of what I remember.  It’s difficult for me, because I just had to get up and go and find the T-shirt (thank you again, Lainie) to see what we HAD.  It was a REUNION.   A REUNION!!!  I couldn’t even remember THAT!!

Luis and Jordan and I arrived at Beth’s house at about 4:00 on Saturday afternoon and caught her playing on her computer.  She didn’t expect us so soon so she had to get up and throw a roast in her crock pot, and proceed with the rest of the delicious dinner that only Beth can pull off!  I would never have believed that my skinny little freckled-faced cutie would ever have developed into the multi-talented 45-year old woman that she is today.  She’s amazing!  She’s a marvelous cook.  She can sew, and is a wonderful mother to her two over-active, creative, wild, and hilarious boys.  Ryder (10), and Dillon ( 7) are anything but run-of-the-mill average.  Their antics can entertain you and crack you up all day long. Beth is married to a fine man.  He’s a lot of fun, and a good addition to the family.  Thank you, Paul, for opening up your home to Luis and me when we go to Birmingham.  We appreciate it so much.  We hope we’re worthy in-laws, and don’t get on your nerves too much!

Buddy and his four showed up at some point.  There were lots of hugs and kisses and “I love you”s” and then the two youngest (Adam-Michael..12, and Ethan, 10…) went down into the cave where Dillon and Ryder dwell with their computer and TV and  lots of toys.

Ben came in with Julie and their two darling little munchkins.  Lily is five and Ben Parker three.  Things really livened up.  It was so exciting to see everybody.  What a great family!!  And we were only on the tip of the iceberg.

Next day, Sunday, we went to church.  It was so sweet and delightful to see our old friends of long ago.  Deann Giles was with her mother, Sister Hickman, who is apparently living with them now, since the death of General Hickman four years ago.  Kathy Giles Pierce was with them in Relief Society, too.  I saw Nancy Hyde, but talked to her just briefly, because she kept the nursery.  After Relief Society, I went down to the nursery to see if the little chest that Luis built for it in 1973, when I was the Relief Society President, was still there.  Nancy said that they had just gotten brand new things for the nursery (as I could see….beautiful things), and one of the Primary sisters took it home with her.  I was disappointed, as I would loved to have it.  But it was only a “thing”.  We chatted with Brother and Sister Scroggins, and Brian Scroggins came up to say “hello”.  So did Kim Norris and Pam Norris, and others.  It was nice.  But the Ward is huge, and I don’t know anyone.  In contrast to knowing “everyone” at one time.  I counted up one time the number of brothers and sisters that had died since we arrived in Birmingham, and to Birmingham First Ward, and it was something like 35 people.  That was a number of years ago.   I’m sure that many, many more have died since then.  Already….Off the top of my head….I can think of Martha Lane, Doris and Buddy Walser,  and Frances and John Gibson.

Sunday afternoon, we arrived at our Chalet at about six o’clock.  We had Jordan with us, as Jani had elected to stay behind with either Brenda or Crystal.  I can’t remember.  She and Jordan were with us on the trip up to Birmingham.  Poor little Jani was so miserable.  She couldn’t get comfortable in the front or back seat. Anyway, we settled in, and went up to the restaurant to eat,  after Carmen and Jason arrived.  I think that’s the way we did it.  I had Spaghetti, and it was quite good.  We went up two or three days later, and I had the Seafood Platter.  Yuk!  I should have known that you don’t order seafood in the mountains.  Crystal said the waitress warned her not to get it!  I had no such warning.  But I took half of it home, and Carmen was starving, so she glupped it down without noticing that it was bad.

Luis and I were very comfortable in our bedroom.  I’m sorry that some of you were not so comfortable.  Beth was really bold and courageous.  She stuck it out for the sake of her two boys, who were having the time of their lives.  Beth, I wish the boys could have been with us at the picnic.  If we had known it was going to be so much fun, I’m sure that Bill, Buddy, and Lainie could have found room in the cars to take them home.  The kids had a fabulous fiesta, and a roaring rumble playing football and baseball.  The adults made up two volleyball teams and Carmen, Maria, And Crystal showed that they still had the power to blast their male counterparts good and proper.  I don’t know about the score.  I just know that I saw the gals serving that ball so neatly.  And BRENDA!  Fiesty little thing!  The runt in the litter.  She showed that she has lots of steam in spite of that poor little neck that hurts all the time.  I think Darrell got stuck with Lexie, and nobody thought it was fair for his 6′4″ to be on either team.  And Jaymi (spelling) was sent home with Bubba. My daughters and daughters-in-law have excellent spouses, and vice-versa.

Luis and I stayed in the cabin most of the time.  I slept a lot, and don’t really know what was going on.  I know that all of you were playing games of cards, and watching TV , and playing other games.

Luis built fires, and he fell asleep by the fireplace.  We were dozing comfortably while all of you were playng in the swimming pool, or hiking somewhere, or playing in the other pool by the waterfall.  Or maybe some of you were fishing, and we heard that some of you went horseback riding.  Teyla told me the name of her horse three times, but old Nanna can’t remember it yet!!

Then their was the night of the Musicfest.  Thanks to Buddy and Bill and all of the guitars, and Jacob singing (I was pleasantly surprised.  I didn’t know my grandson could play the guitar and sing so well).

Teyla almost had to be spanked to make her get out of the spotlight, but she was cuter than Shirley Temple.

Altogether, it was just unbelieaveably successful.  I hope that everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.  We must stay close together as a family now.  The grandchildren need to know each other.  Austin, Jacob and Christopher are close in age.  So are Bailey and Jordan.  And Chelsea and Jani and Julia.