Family Reunion in Duluth

After MUCH too long, my parents organized a Grace family reunion this past June in Duluth, Minnesota. Since my dad is only child and his first cousins are spread out throughout the United States, we didn't grow up seeing our second cousins very regularly. Between summer vacations in Duluth when I was young and weddings as we got older, that was about the extent of my spending time with family; however mom and dad have been so good about staying in touch and making everyone a priority. (They're so good like that.)

So this family reunion was really special because I was going to be seeing cousins I haven't seen since I was in high school and some cousins I haven't seen since I was a little girl. Even though so much time had passed, I was reminded what a wonderful extended family we have. Everyone was so kind and caring and living such exciting lives. I'm excited to have reconnected both in person and now on Facebook (what would we do without Facebook? Seriously.) Sounds like the next reunion will be in Colorado in a few years - sounds fabulous!

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This is the home my grandma and her two sisters grew up in in Superior, Wisconsin. The owner of the house graciously allowed us all back for a family pictures on the front steps. 

That adorable little boy on the front step (far left) is my dad.

And here we are on the front steps again back in....1986? I'm not really sure. I'm thinking I was four-ish. Four and apparently crabby. (Fourth from the right, front row if you can't tell by the curly red hair.)

(My favorite great-uncle Conrad "Con" is in the back row to the left of my dad. Wish Tom had been able to meet him!)

And here we are in 2014! Missing some loved ones, but having added new ones both big and small.

That picture just makes me go "wow!" So many people traveled near (I think we were maybe the closest, ha) and far (my cousin Hailey traveled with her husband and new son, Archibald, from England!) We were missing some spouses and a few cousins, but the turn out was pretty fantastic. We spent some time at the local museum learning a bit about the early Grace family in the area and then had dinner together in Canal Park. 

Dad and his cousins (minus one.)

Emilie and Gwendolyn....new best friends.

Other activities....

Within 30 seconds of entering our hotel room, Conrad wobbled and slipped and his poor little nose went straight into the sharpest cornered coffee table I've ever seen. My mama heart about broke at the sight of blood (and thought of stitches...) but all turned out alright. It's hard to tell in this picture, but he has a giant band-aid on his nose. Poor bud. He was full of snuggles. And Noah is a great snuggler.

Grandpa and Grandma took us all on a train ride. They chose a 90 minute one just in case the kids got a bit antsy, but I was sad when it was over. It was nice and relaxing, and the kids loved it.

Conrad really didn't know what was going on, and thankfully wasn't walking at this point so was relatively content to sit on our laps or climb on the seat.

Amazingly enough.....the train ride was during his nap time....and there was a lot of commotion going by so he wouldn't really nurse to sleep. However, he DID eventually fall asleep on my lap! Why can't he do this during church?! Ohhh I loved it. He never does this, and it was much needed and great timing. 

These two loved it!

She'll ask whomever is closest to her for "uppie". I think everyone in the family held her at some point throughout the weekend.

Grandpa and his conductors.

Practicing Conrad's walking skills...

Not so sure what to think so stickin' close to daddy...

Celebrating the July birthday boys....

Hanging out at the museum.

Tom snapped this picture of Gwendolyn and Nathan and it may be my favorite picture of them ever. Their reflections kill me.

Wyatt and Gwendolyn taking a much needed nap together. So precious.

One of my favorite things about visiting Uncle Con and Aunt Zoa in the summer was playing down on their Lake Superior beach. It was never warm enough to swim in, but we we loved skipping rocks and exploring. It was so fun taking the kids and Tom back there to the same spot.

Love this pic of mom and dad with the kiddos on the beach!

Noah again....the most loving older cousin.

Girl cousins - Megan, Lindsay, Keri, Hailey, Kathryn, me and Becca!

Conrad and his cousin Archibald at dinner.

Looking forward to Colorado in a few years! Thanks for all the time spent planning and organizing, mom and dad!