Our Family!

Forty-one years ago, there were only two members of the newly formed Dan and Bonnie Washburn family.  Now, our number has grown to 29.  And here’s the picture to prove it.

Earlier this month, we gathered for a family reunion in Flagstaff, Arizona.  We’ve had some pretty fun reunions, but to me, this was the best yet!  We didn’t know how wonderful the Flagstaff area is when we chose it.  But it’s called the “City of Seven Wonders” for good reason.  There is so much to do and see there!  We rented a beautiful home for a week, and had daily adventures.  Some of them were within the walls of our home away from home, like the highly entertaining talent show, a double birthday party, testimony meeting, delicious dinners, and the time when we displayed pictures of some of our ancestors, unveiled a ten generation fan chart made by Shane, and gave each family a Book called Generations, written by their cousin, Kaye Lynn Berg.
 
Other adventures included -  day one a visit to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments; day two, Walnut Canyon; day 3, church, lunch and party and farewell to Ethan’s and Kimball’s families; day 4, Dan and I waited outside while Greg’s family explored the Lava River Cave in the Coconino National Forest, and then we joined them in touring a Pioneer museum.  Neil and Penny took their little twins to Bearizona Drive-through Wildlife Park.  On day 5, Greg’s and Colin’s families left for home.  Neil and Penny and Dan and I took in the sights and feel of Meteor Crater, Oak Creek Canyon, and Sedona.  They headed home the next morning, and Dan and I spent a very peaceful, relaxing day together.  He did some tidying up and some reading.  I did a lot of bird-listening out on the back deck, and thanking Heavenly Father that everything had gone so very well.  I am still smiling, thanking Him, and singing our reunion theme song.
 
The Family Is of God
1. Our Father has a family. It’s me!
It’s you, all others too: we are His children.
He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,
To live and learn here in fam’lies.
[Chorus]
God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.
Words and music:Matthew Neeley