Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Thursday, June 18, 2009

A Family Gathering and Dinner


On Tuesday, George and I drove back to Hendersonville (3rd trip this month) ---but this time, we had a "Family Reunion" at the Cracker Barrel in Gallatin. George's brother and wife were visiting from northern Indiana, and George's sister and hubby drove up from Tullahoma., TN. You can imagine how happy Mom and Dad were to have their three siblings together --even for a short time. Dad had told George on the phone that he didn't know how much longer the family would be able to get to be together. We all hope it will be many more years ---but since Dad is alomst 97 and Mom is 89, who knows?????


Above is a picture of Dad and Mom (seated ) and the kids: George, Janet and Ken. George is the oldest; Ken is two years younger; Janet is about 10 yrs. younger than George. The youngest child in the family, Jimmy (2 yrs. younger than Janet), died when he was a teen. Below are more pictures from the 'party'...









This is a picture of Janet with hubby, Charlie. Charlie suffers from Huntington's Disease-- so, as you can imagine, Janet has her hands full.









This is Ken and his wife, Bonnie. They come to Nashville every year to attend the Country Music Festival. They are HUGE country music fans!









Our good friends, Judy and Charlie, joined the party. They are honorary family members since they do so much to help Mom and Dad. They are also GREAT friends of George and me. As you can see, they brought their 5 month old grandbabies with them. These fraternal twins are just adorable. The one pictured here is Gabriel. He's the ACTIVE one!!!!









This is Charlie with Christian, the calm and easy-going one. Both babies are just gorgeous!!!









This is George's beautiful sister, Janet.











Betsy had to take her turn with Gabriel. Look at that expression on his face!!!!!! ha ha ha









I love this picture of Mom and Dad. They are two incredible people!!!!






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In closing, I introduce you to one of my all-time favorite Roses. This one is named MR. LINCOLN---and it smells fabulous!!!! Out of our 48 different rose bushes, 46 of them have now bloomed. Isn't this a beautiful rose????


Hope you are having a great week.
Hugs,

48 comments:

NatureStop said...

What a family reunion.Betsy, looks like you are indeed having a great time.The twins are adorable.Hope you have many more family reunions in the future.Mr.Lincoln is handsome??(oops I mean beautiful):)

Shelley said...

It's so wonderful that you were all able to get together - I love seeing all those smiling faces! George's parents look great for their age! And that Mr. Lincoln rose is quite a beauty!

Big Smooches,

Shelley

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos of a special, memorable reunion. Nice to see all the smiling faces and what precious twins. Beautiful rose today.

Kathy W said...

Nice shots of the family Betsy. Tell George he looks just like his brother. =)
Oh and that Lincoln Rose is beautiful.

Nina said...

There is nothing that beats a family gathering!! Enjoying old stories and tales, “coming clean” on old pranks and antics, etc… Wonderful sharing of love and memories!!! You have a wonderful family and I agree those twins are just too cute! As for Mr. Lincoln… He’s showing us his soft feminine side… and he’s Gorgeous!. Thank you for sharing. Love and Light, Nina P.

T said...

Wonderful family reunion pictures Betsy! It's a blessing that you all are still able to get together like that.

jlshall said...

It's wonderful you were able to get together like that. I believe family reunions are very important. And it's also great that you got to have it at one of my favorite places - a Cracker Barrel! Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos.

troutbirder said...

I think he was an All American selection many years ago (how appropriate!) In any case the reddest of reds and one of my all time favorites. Mr. Lincoln.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Anytime you can visit with OLD folks and babies, it has to be GOOD.
Love all the family photos Betsy. Take care, Suz

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Hi Betsy, what a wonderful family reunion for George and his family...I'm the only survivor of my family so pictures like these make me so happy to see such a wonderful family...Happy day to each of you!!!

Arkansas Patti said...

They really look 10 years younger. That is the way to age. Wonderful looking couple.
So great that you could all get together and those twins were precious. I love how twins look alike but can be so different.
As for Mr. Lincoln, I think he is quite masculine. Very bold, demanding attention.

Beth said...

How wonderful that the entire family was able to get together, Betsy, including the honorary members (and those adorable twins)! You all look so happy to be with each other.

Mr. Lincoln is indeed a beauty---what a gorgeous shade of red. I wish I could smell through the internet. :-)

Becky said...

What a special time for all of you. Wow! 97 & 89, they don't look their age. They have held up well.

Susie said...

Don't you just love get-togethers like this? George and Ken look a lot a like.

Those babies are sweet. I know you enjoyed hugging on them a bit!

Unknown said...

Treasure these moments. People don't gather their families together like they use to.

Pat - Arkansas said...

What a wonderful reunion! Love the photos; the babies are indeed beautiful, as are the parents!

PCovi said...

What precious twins! You have a nice family :) A fun place to gather too! I met Uncle Herschel once LOL...I was working in a bank and he came in handing out free gift certificates for a meal.

NCmountainwoman said...

How wonderful that you could all get together. And George's dad is correct, every time might be the last. Hope there are many more.

Mr. Lincoln is without a doubt one of the best roses around. I used to grow them many years ago.

Snap said...

Wonderful family reunion and wonderful pictures! Looks like they are incredible people! Our parents have both passed on. We miss everyone getting together to see granny and gramps. Mr. Lincoln is one of my favorite because of the color and the smell. There just aren't that many roses anymore that smell! :D

Thanks for dropping by. MFA,H is a wonderful place!

Small City Scenes said...

How wonderful that the family was able to get together. I am sure the folks are proud of them. My Mother keeps saying 'come and see me now' as she smiles. One never knows. She is so active at 93--one wonder as does she.
The roses must be beautiful--all blooming at once. MB

Unknown said...

They look so young!!We all need to cherish time with our families,you never know when it will be the last time.
Glad George have the get-together with his family.

Diane AZ said...

George's parents are looking great! They must have loved being with their kids and honorary family members also. Those babies are so cute!

Dorothy said...

How great that you can get together so often! I know Mom & Dad are happy to see you each time! Great family post!

EG CameraGirl said...

What an amazing family! Longevity is in George's genes - how cool is that!

Sound like you have only two more rose bushes to bloom. You have a great record this year. ;-)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Neat story and nice to meet the rest of the family.

Sandy said...

WOW!! That is an intense red! Love it. And love Hendersonville, too, I guess you are talking about NC. One of the best cities in the whole world. Their downtown is simply one of my favorite places to visit, all time. Wonderful family photos too!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Thank-you ever so much for including me in the family gathering,even if only via the blog.To have friends and the little boys there must have made for a perfect time.That rose is awesome.
Blessings,Ruth

Unknown said...

how fun to share your family online with all of us... making our world smaller and more intimate.. thank you for the rose, I think I can smell it....

Patty said...

Spending time with family is so pescious. I am glad you got a chance to be with them.

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Hi Betsy,

It looks like a fun time with family! That's alot of family too! Those twins are adorable!

Your rose IS beautiful! You have the prettiest roses, tulips, and well everything!

Have a great day!
Tammy

Dianne said...

What a beautiful family. You're so lucky to get together like that.

I took an incredible water fall picture that I will be posting shortly. Truly took my breath away!

Anonymous said...

Betsy,
My hubby's dad live to be 99. He gave us all hope for long lives. Family times are the best.
Donna

Cedar ... said...

What lovely people.... she sure is beautiful at 89!

Connie said...

What great family photos, Betsy! It sounds like you had a wonderful visit. :)

penny said...

You are all so blessed to have this wonderful family time together and celebrate life...

Hugs, Pam

EcoRover said...

I love the family resemblances. Some genetic, and some we grow into I think.

GeneaDiva said...

The best kind of family history- Living History. Beautiful and blessed family. The babies just topped off your reunion.

Diane said...

It's so nice that you could all be together. I bet the babies added a little (lot of) noise to the reunion.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

How lovely that you can all gather like that !
Beautiful babies, and everyone looked so happy be with George's parents...what a wonderful couple.
I think that rose is the prettiest you have shown to date, maybe that's why you have left it until last :)
Great pictures, and thanks for letting us visit your family.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I had to stop by and comment. I saw you comment on a Southern Garden by Becca.

We are quasi neighbors, I am in Sevier County.

I am enjoying browsing through your blog!

Grammy said...

What fun that must have been. And will be remembered by the parents for quite a while. I know. I love to see all my family together. Each time is a blessing. The rose is beautiful!
Big hug. Have a great weekend.

Leedra said...

Great family memories! Love those babies (knew I would, didn't ya?)

Michele said...

I enjoyed seeing all the smiling faces. Family and friends are very important. I really truly believe in that.

Hugs♥

Kelly said...

...it is so wonderful you all took the time to get together for a family reunion. I'm sure it made George's parents sooo happy! I never in a million years would have guessed George's dad to be almost 97 years old and his mom 89. That is awesome!! Looks like everyone had a good time too...those babies are cuties (funny how their personalities can be so different).
Hugs...

SquirrelQueen said...

Looks like a wonderful family reunion, everyone has big smiles so it must have been lots of fun.

Sorry I didn't get by yesterday, it was one of those get the grass cut before it rains days.

Love Mr. Lincoln, very beautiful color.

Hugs,
Judy

Rose said...

Wow, I have missed a lot. That rose is so beautiful, but what caught my eye was those twins! they are adorable...like someone else we both know!

I can tell Lorelei is changing...it is just amazing how fast they grow and change.

SmilingSally said...

What a treat it must be for your in-laws to have so many turn out for a family reunion.

Cicero Sings said...

Loved seeing these pictures. So good to get together while you can!