December 2012~The Reunion~Biggs League

 

The 2012 Biggs reunion was so much fun! I have even had people ask if it might not be a good idea to do the same thing the next time...have a repeat of the Biggs softball tournament...this time keeping score!  It was the brain child of Mary and Rachel who were tired of hearing me bemoan the fact that I can't really have a reunion of the Tom and Susan Biggs family as long as the Hiatts are still having theirs because so many can't do both and Grandma would feel so sad if our family didn't go to hers.  Anyway, they were sitting on the couch one Sunday last fall and just started making lists and making plans and before I knew it the reunion was becoming a reality right before my very eyes.  Mary went to the computer and typed out the details and food shopping list and even made an itinerary.  She had input from her siblings, of course, and everyone helped.  Rachel had good ideas and Joel did the          t-shirts, so we really appreciate them, as well as everyone else, namely Esther and Jenn for shopping.  I shouldn't start naming names, should I?  I will inevitably leave someone out who helped a lot and then feel bad that I didn't mention them.  On the other hand, Mary wanted me to be sure and say that she didn't do it alone.

 I appreciate those who shared their pictures with me: Rachel, Jenn and especially Lillian. 

Thursday Night

The first night we gathered for pizza and "penny up."  The kids all enjoyed seeing each other and playing together with their Christmas presents such as dolls and game technology.

Even some of the older cousins played with the younger cousins.  Maya loves DeWitt any day.

They looked for their baby pictures on the tree.

Here comes the pizza!

And Rebecca's carmel corn.

Enough said!

The little kids went to the movie theater in the basement.  Joel had brought his projector so it was like a real theater.

The big kids played games in the living room.  Notice that Thomas thinks he's a big kid too.

The adults played "penny up" in the kitchen until Rachel decided to teach us some fun, passing around- table-slapping games.

Then, at the end of the evening, we passed out the Biggs League t-shirts.

Another game the big kids enjoyed...cup rhythm?

I have to say that Dad's favorite part of the evening was when Joel brought his tractor and he got to park it in his very own garage.

When the evening was done, Dad and Shad kicked back and slept through a movie.

Friday Morning
We had a waffle and fruit bar for breakfast

Brianna made a waffle s'more

Everyone came in their Biggs League shirts, ready for the day's activities.  Jeremy and his kids came on Friday and it was fun to have them join us.

Ellie and her youngest cousin, Henry

Kirtlyn and Camille and dolls

Soren and Lindsay

Dad loved showing off his tractor.  He had the boys drive it over to our vacant lot and do a little plowing.

The Ballgame and picnic

We all gathered at the Safford Stake Center ball fields because they have a wonderful picnic pavilion there that Scott supervised the building of and which Dallin worked on for his Eagle project.  

Mary brought Jared in his stroller, but he wouldn't stay in it for long.  He wanted to play like the big kids and consequently fell on his poor little face.  Mary and Stephanie had a hard time keeping him off the ball field.  He really wanted to go out there and play ball.

What beautiful girls!

And boys?

Waiting for everyone to get there so we could take a family picture.

Mary also arranged for a jumping zoo for the little kids.

Some of them also liked playing in the ditch beside the field.  I wondered how they all got over there because it is fenced off by a chain-link fence...then I saw Maya crawl through.

Finally, we were all there, and moved some bleachers over to accommodate all of us.

What a group!  And there were 20 of us missing!!!  One of these days, I really want to get a picture of my whole family.  That's my goal. 

Our good friend, Willow Goodwin and her mom came to snap the picture for us. We really appreciated her help.

Okay, so now starts the Biggs League tournament.

There was no age discrimination

And I was pleasantly surprised at how good everyone was.  We had some real power hitters and some great fielders too...not to mention a super pitcher.

Team 1 and team 2...partially, at least

Wow! I did it!

Brody wasn't sure he like having his dad play without him.

We even had cheerleaders!

Everyone enjoyed watching the game, both players and spectators.

Then it was time to eat.  We had hot dogs, nachos, soda, veggies, popcorn, peanuts and cotton candy. Oh, and of course, Dad's pickles! You couldn't do better at Yankee Stadium!

Friday Evening

Our good friend, Ralph Smith and his crew came to cook a genuine cowboy dutch oven steak dinner for us.

Saturday Morning

Mary and Esther made breakfast bags for everyone, including muffins and cuties, so we were ready to get an early start.

Dad and the 12-and-over-kids went to the Temple to do baptisms.  As endowed men, DeWitt and Levi were able to do the baptizing and other ordinances.

After a terrific meal of soups and Rebecca rolls, we had a family meeting in which Dad gave us fatherly counsel and then, as patriarch of our family, blessed us for the coming year.  Even the little kids were quiet and though they may not have understood the significance of what was taking place, they knew it was something important.  Someday they will remember and understand.  I was very young when my grandfather blessed his family and it took years for me to fully understand and appreciate the wonderful blessing it was.  But when I did, I remember feeling so secure under the protecting umbrella of his prayer. This righteous tradition has been passed down to us for generations, blessing our family and helping us to stay strong and close to the Lord, the Church and to each other.  

We love you all so much and are so thankful for your righteous lives.  We look forward to the next time we can be together...Whose turn will it be to be in charge?