Another Burton Family Reunion was held yesterday at Canyon View Park in Spanish Fork. We hold the reunion every year on the first Saturday in August. Routinely keeping it the day makes it easy to remember each year.
This year, Kent and Janice were in charge. They did a terrific job. The food was great and the program was so much fun.
Kent displayed this blown-up picture of us as children. It was taken before Neal went on his mission to New Zealand. We didn't have color photos back then.
One memorable thing to share is that our Hillbilly band was reunited. When I was a young teen, our ward held a talent show. In fact, every ward in the stake did the same. The "winners" of each ward's talent show were then showcased in the Stake talent show. Since our family (including Mom & Dad) performed as a hillbilly band in our ward talent show and won 1st place, that meant that we would be eligible to participate in the stake talent show. Although I was nervous to do so because of the size of the audience, it turned out to be a blast. I believe we actually took first place in the Stake Talent Show as well, but in speaking with my sisters, none of us can remember for sure whether we took first place in both or not, but we did receive a plaque that said "We are # (sharp) in our b (flat)" at the ward talent show. Neal didn't participated with us back then because he was on his mission at the time.
This is a picture of us performing yesterday. Most of us played different instruments from when we originally performed, but that's ok. I played the guitar yesterday, but had no clue how to play one when we first performed. Originally, I played the kazoo with Jane.
(From left to right: Gayle on the ukulele; me on the guitar; Neal on the drum & whistle; Kent on the harmonica; Jane on the kazoo and spoons; Janice on the jug, and Phil on the washboard.
Some of us went all out in dressing up like a hillbilly, while others not so much. Phil took the cake, though. Everyone loved his costume! He blacked out his front teeth by using raisins. Clever!
After our band played, my siblings and I all got to participate in a contest of athletic skills. We were very competitive as children so this was right up our alley. We were each given a cone shaped cup with a ball attached with a string. We had a contest to see who could catch the ball the most times in the allotted time. I thought I did well with 20 catches, but it only earned me a tie for 3rd place. Gayle won with 23 catches. Here's a picture of us during the contest.
From Left to right: Jane, Gayle, Joan, Janice, Neal, Kent, Phil
As part of the program, Kent & Ann passed out these booklets containing missionary stories shared by each of us for our children and grandchildren to read.
At the end of the program, Neal shared his missionary experience from this booklet and I shared the story that was published in the Church's Ensign Magazine in 2015 entitled "My Christmas Miracle". Kent asked me ahead of time to be prepared to share it.
I took very few pics at the reunion, unfortunately. We had a good turnout and it was fun to see the extended family members who attended. One highlight was that my sister-in-law, Lynda, was able to attend. She has been battling Leukemia for a few years and needs to be careful about attending large gatherings. She wore a mask to try to keep herself from picking up any unwanted germs or diseases. This picture just shows her from the back (best I can do). I wish I had a better picture of her. I was so thrilled that she could attend.
Alan and I, plus Eric's family represented the Stott's this year. I wish more of our family could have attend, but Cheryl's family was just up here last month and she's 7 months pregnant. Kyle & Jared, our Arizona boys, needed to work. Ryan, who usually attends the reunion, was on a trip to Washington and Oregon. He will return to Utah in a few days.
Jane and I will be in charge of our next reunion. Planning a reunion is a ton of work and it's such a relief when its all over with, but the work is also rewarding. Hopefully, we can come up with some good ideas to make it fun for all ages.
Reunions are all about FAMILIES and TOGETHERNESS!
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