Mini Family Reunion because Danny Lloyd and family are visiting from Nigeria

 Weekly Letter Blog post

August 21 2022

Dear Family:

We keep having birthdays in August – Jake’s birthday is tomorrow. Carter talks in church next week prior to going on his mission.  Congratulation Carter.  

My theme today is COUSINS. 

“Cousins are the barometers of how fun a family get-together will be.”  I will say we do have fun when we get together.  

I remember the days when Judy/Don’s family, Glennda/Scott’s Family and my family made sure that we had plenty of cousin experiences; Christmas Eves, Camping Trips, etc. 

I know there is a video out there with from one of our camping trips where everyone got an injury etc.

Glennda and I took a trip recently to Utah (to not only visit Brian/Megan/Hayden), but to reconnect with our Aunts Estella and Reta as well as our Cousins Dixie, Penny and Kelly.  We weren’t raised around them, but over the years we would manage to get a little visit in once in a while.

Penny Romero, Suzanne Short, Glennda Short-Field, Estella Leishman-Romero, Reta  Leishman-York, Kelly and Dixie Romero-Claybrook

Many years ago the Schnell cousins got to go to Disneyland together.  Those memories are still vivid. By the way Haley and Steve Lewis are on an adventure and I love the facebook posts.

Aunt Suzanne, Mandy, Aunt Sally, Amy, Haley, Brian, Brad and Rob

Bottom L-R; Rob,Bill Suzanne
2nd row; Mandy, Amy, Haley, Sally
3rd row, Brian, Brad

The thing about cousins though is that they grow up, they move away, they start their life’s journey, their vocation, their marriages and their own families.  Things are always changing, but the connection of cousins will always be there.  I love that Ben and Amy (cousins) are close.  I love it that when Danny comes to town and we all celebrate. 

Jo Jo, Danny and Dawnie (Don's namesake)

Yesterday we had a mini reunion in honor of Danny Lloyd and his family visiting from Nigeria.  They have been here since early August and they will be visiting Seattle next week and then returning to Nigeria.  But luckily because of the generosity of Ben and Lacy Lloyd, we got to all get together at their backyard, complete with seating, pool, beautiful fence and landscaping. Also included in this great get-together were Lloyd dear family friends; Ron and Ginger Leach and Valerie Merritt  (Don’s long time secretary) and her husband Kerry.

Ben Lloyd, Jay and Alena Short

Danny Lloyd, Glennda Short-Field, Lacey Lloyd (Ben's wife)

Danny, Jo Jo, Aunt Suzanne Short

Don Lloyd, Ron Leach, Amy Schnell-Grubbe, Mike Grubbe, Sharon Lloyd-Fields

Kerry Merritt, Don Lloyd, Danny Lloyd, Ginger Leach

Ron  Leach, Valerie Merritt, Kerry Merritt, Don Lloyd, Ginger Leach

Scott Field, Ginger Leach, Kerry Merrit and wife Valerie

Don’s namesake Dawnie was shy and overwhelmed with all the new people, but she and her mom enjoyed pool time.

Jo Jo and Dawnie

She finally warmed up to Jay and some of us.  Mike and Amy came even though it’s only been a month since Mike got his new knee.  Mike was brave! I always enjoy getting an update on all the SDG boys. (Schnell-Dougall-Grubbe)\

Amy, Suzanne, Mike

Also in attendance were Don’s sisters; Ruth Lloyd (somehow I neglected to get a photo of Ruth) and Sharon Lloyd and her husband (who has been converting a school bus into a Motor Home.  Glennda and I were amazed.)  I love visiting with Ruth and Sharon - nice memories of when we all first met.

Don Lloyd, Ron Leach, Amy, Mike and Sharon Lloyd-Fields
See that great fence in the background - Brilliant Ben !

We had wonderful food, wonderful visiting and wonderful weather. 

I have to add one more cousin photo that melted my heart.  (I don't know if this will load or not.) Dawnie and Emily were displaying my whole theme.  Immediate loving cousins!!

 

I decided to add some other other photos that might be of interest. I'm on a roll with this blog so I'm going to make the best of it.

 One of which is Amy's new granddaughter.

I can't end the letter without including photos of Jay and Alena's summer family visitors; Curtis, Whitney and their little girl Emery.

 

Whitney, Emery and Curtis Perrin  

I’m trying something different this time so that you can see all the photos that go with this letter all at once.  I don't have to send a gob of emails.  I’m attaching it to a blog that I set up a long time ago.

I hope the Portland weather cools down a little soon.  We have been in the upper 80’s and 90’s for a month and my plants are suffering.  My best to everyone.  Keep cool this week.

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne