Mix reunion weekend

In honor of my Grandma Mary Mix's 90th birthday, and my Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Jack's return from three years of shepherding the missionaries in the Washington DC South mission, we had a reunion. It has been a few years. It was really fun to see all my cousins and meet their spouses and kids (I said it had been a while). Back in the day, when we were all hanging out and single we got together a lot, and we had some good times. It is amazing how even after a few years I really enjoy everyone's company. The years just melted away. There was good food, patterned after nostalgic foods of the past-the Croshaw's whole wheat pancakes for breakfast, which I think we have had at every reunion in memory. Sandwiches for lunch just like Grandma Mary used to send with her kids to school for lunch-deviled ham, tuna and good ol' PB&J. Dinner was intended to be a shout out to the future. Laurie Croshaw-Murray and her husband Freddy have fabricated a pizza oven that they have taken to various events and sell fabulous pizzas. They backed the oven into the backyard and in the process of unhitching it and unloading the gear it became unbalanced and the pizza oven slid off the back of the trailer. I would say that this was the capstone event of the reunion. It could have closed the whole show down, but it didn't. Freddy reacted like a champion. He had to walk away, but he came back smiling and ended up cooking pizza's in the oven (I picked up some tricks that have improved my own pizza making). Everyone rallied and put together a collection to pay for the replacement oven. It reminded me of why I love the Mix family. Anyone can have fun when the times are good, but the fact that we could keep the party going in the face of tragedy was a testiment to what family is truly about.
On Sunday we crashed Rosemary and Jack's church to hear their report from their mission. They are great people. It was so fun to see the number of missionaries who served with them who made the effort to be there and see them. They both spoke of the power of love and service and obedience. It was great to hear their testimonies of Savior and be reminded of the power of missionary work.
After the meeting we went to the Wixom's house for food and more good times. On the way home Reed and I decided we needed to make an accounting of everyone who had been there. It was great to know that after a day and a half together I could name everyone and their spouses and kids for a grand total of 72. I hope we can all make the effort to get together again soon.