The Biggest West Virginia Gathering in a While!

Tuesday was the day for the big get-together of Robinsons and Robinson-attachments in Renick at White Oak Farm. What a crowd! There were 35 of us. Not everybody could be there, but we had almost everyone!

The weather was perfection. May in West Virginia is breezy, sunny, lovely, flowery. The kids had a ball outside. We set up tables and chairs and ate in the fresh air.
My parents, who started it all:

We brought our puppies. Beau has enjoyed himself.

Adam, Jo Ann, William

We have a new generation of family now, and this made this particular time more precious than ever before.

Corran, Marshall

This front porch swing has seen the holding and loving of many a baby over the years.

Alynn, Faith, Beorn

This darling boy with his head of curls and amazing eye-lashes is 18 months old.

Corran

Ahhh -- the wonder of a new baby. All the lady-folks were mesmerized.

Baby Beorn

College kids, full of life and fun. Peter and Sam have been doing that kind of laid-back driving-round-the-country that only college boys can do, and having so much fun doing it.

Peter, Sam, Ben, Hannah

Menfolk hanging out:

Jonathan, Max

Julia saw I was taking a picture, and she put her head down in despair.

Julia, Patience

So many cousins, so many jokes, so many hugs, so many memories

Hannah, Adam, Aleya, Justice, Nathan, Julia

I've been watching these two grow up for many years, with a sense of wonder and thanks for the lovely young women they're becoming.

Hannah, Kesse

The shade trees out front have become a favorite place to sit.

Hannah, Courage, Alynn, Jo Ann and others

We set up the food line in the farm selling shed. We had hotdogs, barbeque, baked corn, baked beans, slaw, lemonade, and several fabulous desserts

My dear brother and his wonderful wife:

DeVona and Marshall

Here are the five girls, five of my very favorite humans on earth. I'm so very thankful for them all. I don't have any sisters, and they have truly filled this void in my heart. All those years ago, we were young, having babies, keeping in touch. Now we are sitting back and watching our kids do all those same things.

Alynn, MK, Faith, DeVona, Anne

Adam took a nap or two.

These two are adorable -- young, in love, perfect for each other, two little babies

Jonathan, Kyrie

The little bitty takes a grassy nap

Getting some lovin' from the great-aunt:

These two buddies had a grand time with swords and such in the farm yard.

Courage, Abraham

And some people climbed trees ~

Clark

Mother/Daughter time

Hannah, Anne

Lots of grass-sitting:

Liberty, Katie holding Beorn, Kyrie, Jonathan

Left-over chocolate cake is tempting.

Kesse, Patience

Even with a crowd of 35 to feed, Anne doesn't forget flowers on the table.

These two have formed a tight bond in the past two days!

Katie, Beorn

Max and Marshall took a walk out to the apple orchard for a chat.

Later in the afternoon some of us drove down to the Greenbrier River for a walk along the river trail, an old railroad bed.

My feet wore out on me, and I headed back to the car.

I found the strangest tree along the walk. Look at these leaves! Don't they look rather terrifying?

And as if that weren't enough fun, after the river trail we headed to Anne's daddy's farm for a little star-gazing. He has lovely views from some hills, with nice dark skies. What a view, eh?

We waited for the sunset. We saw Jupiter and Venus, but we wanted to see Mercury near the horizon just as the sliver of a 20-hour moon was appearing. But the clouds prevented it.

Anne ~

A fun day was enjoyed by everyone.

Hannah, Tom, Jonathan, Katie, Patience, Julia, Kesse

Goodnight from West Virginia.