The Van Camp/Gillispie Family Reunion 2010

This past fall, we were blessed to get the whole Van Camp/Gillispie (my dad’s) family together in Gainsville, Ga at my cousin Lois’s house.  We have a large family on his side and although there was a huge turnout it was just a fraction of the whole crew. 

The night before, the Bobbitts came to stay with us and Andrew entertained cousin Michael by reading stories to him…so cute!

 

The next day…we enjoyed family fun.  Here’s a recap of some of it.

The boys immediately attached to their cousin Adrienne and he was their role model for the day.  Lois’s house is so cute too!  She has done a fabulous job renovating the whole thing!  She keeps going and going at her age… I hope Matt and I are blessed with that type of stamina!

My dad and Andrew, behind them both is a family tree that has been in the working for years…it’s amazing.  Thanks cousin Heather and Lois, do you all have more hours in your day than we do?

Ryan and Grandma Van Camp stop for some smiles.

Cousin Becky with her shades on inside…too cool!

Matty catching up on Dad and JoAnn’s latest adventures…they are the most unretired, retired parents ever!

Cousin Cathy, her son Adrienne, and Andrew stopped a horseshoe tournament for a picture!

Like I said, wherever Adrienne was, our boys were sure to follow!

Hooray for horseshoes!  Andrew and Ryan both did a great job!

I love sitting and listening to the “adults” talk and tell stories…I was so glad to have Matt and our boys there to hear some of the stories firsthand that I have told them for years.  Ryan loved the story of little 5 year old Lois not listening to her mom and getting her fingers cut off!

 

Ryan sat so well and listened, he reminds me so much of myself at that age!

The next day before he had to fly out, we took my brother, Uncle Chris, to Kennesaw Mountain park for a hike…it was so much fun!

Here’s Andrew searching for treasures from God’s beautiful creation.

Ryan just about wacked me with that walking stick!

My three boys, Matty, Ryan and Andrew. I truly could not be more thankful for such an amazing husband and father of my children!

The boys with Uncle Chris.  They made excellent “stand ins” for Jason and Adam, but we missed our cousins very much!

Uncle Chris being the child at heart that he is…he’s never fully grown up, just like my Dad!  Makes for a really fun uncle!

Its times like this that make being a parent so worthwhile!  They may fuss at each other more than we’d like, but in the end, they will always be best friends!  Kind of like Matt and Billy and Amy and me!

The hike was way too short, but we had a great time together! What a beautiful place so close to home.  When sadness or disparity arise, just look outside at the beauty our Father has made for us.  It is quite humbling to know that it was made for us! 

Even more amazing is the fact that man and woman were created just for this…partnership, commitment, creating a family, and representing Christ’s love for His Church!  This unconditional love is unfathomable until you share such a love!  Thank you Matty for giving me that love!