Lewis Family Reunion in Ajo

2:22 PM

Every two years we have a reunion with my dad's side of the family. There is a lot of us......12 children, 75 grandchildren and over 150 great grandchildren. So getting this family together is not always an easy feat.

Uncle Malin and Aunt Sally did an awesome job organizing and hosting this special reunion. They had all the details nailed down to the water misters to keep us cool, to welcome signs, to endless amounts of water and treats.

As in times past, the reunion is usually in Utah but this was a reunion was all about remembering our roots and so we all settled in a small town of Ajo AZ. This is where my grandparents moved to after getting married and raised most all of their 12 children.

I don't have any memories of Ajo so it was great to go back and see the memories of my dad's childhood.

The first night was a dinner and a slideshow presentation. It was all held in the school my dad went to growing up. Here is a sneak peak of an 1/8th of the crowd arriving for the night. One thing about the Lewis family is they love to hug! I felt like we were hugging all week long ;)

The next day was really neat as we took a tour of Ajo. So many stories I had never heard about were told and I learned a lot about the great influence my grandpa had on this small town

my grandparents first home

first built church where my dad attended

in front of the dairy that my grandpa owned

inside the dairy where my dad proposed to my mom

New Cornelia hospital where all 12 children were born. (My grandma had a really hard delivery after her 6th child and was told never to have anymore children. Well, it was a miracle and she had six more!)

at the gravesite of his sister Ardene who passed away at the age of 18 months.

right next to his sister's grave is his brother, Selwyn's grave site

Uncle Malin giving us instructions at the Federated Church where Grandpa Lewis preached one summer when the church didn't have a pastor.

On friday, the fourth, the whole family got to be in the Ajo fourth of July parade. Not sure if there were more in the parade or watching but it was still so fun nonetheless!