Giberson Family Reunion-Salt Lake City Center

This was our Friday day activity--visits to Temple Square, photo taking, and the Family History Museum...and for us a nice lunch at the Beehive House.

The Gathering of the Gibersons at the Reflecting Pond....

Sophee Giberson, Alison Neerings
Uncle Mike's grandchildren

 It takes awhile for about 50 Gibersons to arrive....

Max Giberson, Sophee's twin
the first set of great grandchildren twins

Our first Giberson group shot of the reunion--taken by a nearby "passer-byer"

Years ago, we took a picture of Jena and Kylie at the Reflecting Pond which is actually one of my favorite pictures I have taken (are you like that--where you remember certain photos you have taken, even years later.)  We couldn't remember exactly what it looked like so we tried a few different versions.  I can't find the first picture yet for comparison, but these two have grown up to be lovely young women.

This is Blake WIlliams with his signature wrinkled nose look--- (Aunt Valerie's grandson)

Two brothers--Max and Jay Giberson

And this is the place where it started.  My parents, Richard and Eileen, were married here on September 1, 1954.  It was a sweet remembrance and a good place to gather almost 64 years later.

We had tiger lillies in our backyard in Richland, Washington, and they often remind me of my mom, so it was fun to see them growing on the Temple grounds.

We headed to the North Visitors' Center and first gathered around the diorama of Jerusalem.  Valerie and Lance and their family lived in Israel many years ago and attended Church in Jerusalem so it was fun to ask questions about what they had seen, even very briefly.

Down in the basement, they have displays about service and things that we are individuals could do as well as some of the things that the Church has done.  As you can imagine if you know me, tears came quickly to my eyes as we watched the short videos about service, big and small, in our neighborhoods and in the whole wide world.  All of it matters.  I loved these quotes:

I hope at the end of my life here on this earth, that it would be said, that I tried to live my life by these principles.

The highlight of our visit there was the Christ statue on the top floor.  It is a beautiful spot to stop and think about all that He has done for us.

I even like paintings of clouds.....

Sophee, Jay, and Max Giberson

My brother, Mike, with the Neering family and Sophee

Sharing the moment with Gibersons

I love this photo of my brother, Scott, standing
with Jena at the base of the statue.  It was a sweet
moment when they shared a quick hug together.

We then headed to the Family History Museum and the first floor displays.

Jena, Scarlett, Ben and James behind Scarlett
Ben loved spending time with his niece and nephews
over the weekend...and his cousins

My brother, Mike, in one of the activities

Ben, Jena, and James and Scarlett posing in front of the green wall.  You could pick your background.  They did it several times and didn't quite manage to get one in which everyone was looking.

Aunt Lea Giberson showing her daughter, Kayley, some family history while Ryan "looks" on...or is he distracted by something else?

Ben and Tillie Giberson checking out the family tree....

Tillie found the record of her ancestor for whom she is named--Tillie Grace  Murphy

Ben and Jena standing on "the spot" where brides and families often stand to get a picture with the Salt Lake Temple in the background.

 More flowers on the grounds...

 After having a nice lunch at the Beehive House, we all went our separate ways.  Some headed off to other locations such as This is the Place, City Creek, or to visit family members on the other sides of their families.  We headed back to the KOA to get ready for the evening activities.

Friday Night:

We had a Pavilion which we used both evenings of the weekend which had these nice walls to provide shade and some protection when the winds blew.  Here the kids are playing with hula hoops while dinner is being cooked.

Emma, with Landi--their foster mom and my niece
It was fun to meet her and her two older sisters.

Jena trying out the hula hoop

Sophee was one of the masters of hula hoops
Jordan Giberson Hearn (below) was trying it out as well

And of course, there were games and more games for all that would like to play.

Liam enjoyed his first Giberson reunion.
Zander was sick so he and Elessia stay home
on Thursday and Friday.

And the great-grandchildren are also game players...Jay, Owen Neerings, and Max looking on.

After dinner, we had a short gathering and one of our traditions is for the siblings to sing the family song.  We are not good singers, but it made me cry in a good way to sing this song, written by our mother so many years ago:

We are standing in birth order from right to left
Rick and Scott are hugging while we sing their part.

The words (generally):  "This is the story about Mom and Dad who met one winter day.  They fell in love as I remember and they were married the next September and story goes this way.

First came Judy with two dimples and a smile and big brown eyes like Dad

And then came Daddy's proud and joy, a bouncing blue eyed baby boy and Todd was the name of this lad

Shortly there after, sweet Micky came along to add to this melody

In a couple of years, wasn't it fine when Robin-the-bobbin was the next in line to even up the family.

In 1961 we added Valerie on a sunshiney April day.

Another blossom grew on our family tree, a little girl filled with lots of energy and  her name was Lynette Rae.

Now some folks would say that six is quite enough, but we just couldn't get along without our Ricky-o to make each day bright and Scott to end it all just right

And that is truly the end of our song."

Then it was the time for the Giberson Family Dance party.  We had never done this before, but I knew the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren had enjoyed dancing at wedding receptions so we thought we would give it a try.  Gary used his music on the computer that we have used for neighborhood and other events, plus grandchildren plugged in their phones and shared some of their music.  It was so fun to dance together.  I think we might do it again sometime.

This was a girls camp group dance-- Can you wigga?  It is a combination dance/clapping number. We all stood in a circle and then someone's name would be called and asked:  "Do you wigga?"  "Do I what?"  "Do you wigga-wagga (or something like that?" and then you make a dance move and then everyone repeats your move.  This isn't a great picture, but the two Pauls (Neering and Giberson) were standing next to each other and did their move together when Paul was called.

No picture of Jena, but she was ready when her name was called.  She calmly stepped forward and brushed her shoulder in that sassy way she has developed.  We all were rolling on the floor and loved it.

One of the requirements for the reunion was there needed to be a basketball court as we have a tradition of this competition shooting game.  There are two balls and two people take shots from the free throw line and then try to make sure that you get your ball in before the other person or you are out.  The next person in line grabs the rebound and starts again at the free throw line.  It has a name but I can't remember it yet.  We now have some great-grandchildren who are able to participate, plus a couple of random children who asked to join in the Giberson craziness.

Aunt Linda Giberson (Rick's wife) and Uncle Mike
even the "more experienced" generations still plays

Bad shot (photo shot, not basketball shot) but it is the only one I have of Scotty Giberson who was the winner of the night's basketball challenge.

His lightening speed prevent any good pictures of him!

Basketball is clearly more important than cell phones....

Although those with young children headed to bed, we played Rage on the deck at Valerie's until about midnight...fun times, great memories!!

And that is a wrap for the first full day of the 2018 Reunion.