Jackson Family Reunion

The Jackson Family annual reunion just wrapped up and, in spite of a house that is still spinning, a lawn that will take months to recover, a hot tub that continues to have interesting hues, we have preserved great memories. We combined our annual get together with a celebration of Grandma Child's birthday. (It was a milestone!!)

Perhaps pictures will best tell the story:

The older grand kids and grandma and grandpa

waved down the local C-Train and made an excursion

to downtown Calgary.

The destination was the top of the "Muffin" as

the Ehlert girls have dubbed it. Many others call

it The Calgary Tower. Grandpa, Grandma and Anna

were all freaked looking out the glass floor.

A little rest stop in the lobby of the Palliser Hotel,

a treat at McDonalds and we returned to a great

weiner roast and campfire.

What could be more fun than some quiet

games to fill the evening. Kristy and Andrew

entertain the hordes with some "Rock Band".

A little bit of Bickering and Complaining (the card game) was constantly 

in order. Jadi and a very peaceful Clare check out her hand.

Saturday morning the boys went golfing and the
girls attempted to go the Calgary Zoo but were
turned away by the crowds of people who had
similar thoughts. The next best thing was a trip
to the Pet Store, where anyone brave enough
had a bird climb up their arm. On the way home,
Max said to Sol; "Hand" and this was the result.

Spencer Jackson and Kelsie Ehlert entertain

themselves at the computer.

Saturday night was the big Fete. Grandma's birthday

and dinner for an army. Barb is with Tanner Still,

his girlfriend Niki, his sister Karen and husband Rob Ferguson.

My credit card and bank account might never

recover as we prepared a mighty meal of lobster,

crab, shrimp and an exciting new creation; the Paella.

Gerry presides over the creation of her first paella,

a creation of tomato paste, rice, shrimp, mussels,

scallops and much more.

Denise and Kristy assist with the heavy mixing.

Have a look at the final result.

Not only beautiful to look at, it was better than you can imagine. We'll do it again!!!

In answer to the question already posed, we fed 33.

Grandpa bought a used jumper about 4 years ago.

We call it Ellie, cuz it is a great big Elephant.

Here he thought that he might sneak into it and have

a little rest. Not likely!!

Uncle Lee devised a great game that creates

chaos in the jumper and cleans it and the participants at

the same time. It involves lots of baby shampoo and water.

Thanks Lee for spending so much time with all the kids.

After the jumper, the kids needed a bath er

hot tub. Uncle Lee was the lifeguard, only having to pull

Sol up from a face down position once.

Cooper manifests the copious amounts of great food

that we consumed (and wore).

Grandma and Addison inspect the bandage

on Addie's little finger. Our grandchildren adore

Nana Childs. She spends a lot of time on the deck

with them.

This was our little Clare's first reunion.

She is full of miracles. We hope for many,

many more. Sunday morning, Spencer

took little Clare in her arms and then surrounded

by 12 grandpas, dads and brothers gave her a

name and a blessing. It was a very touching moment.

And finally, thank you children for the love and support that you give one another. We are blessed and my faith is strengthened by each of you. Thank you to our friends for their great support. My next post will be an update on our Raymond project (s).