Birthday Parties and Reunions

Once upon a time there was a family with twelve children. Four of these were born in Canada. Lester, Ray, Grace and Mary. It is said that Martha was on the way when this family moved to Wisconsin to begin their pioneering life.

This is my Grandma, Gladys Byers Martin.

She is holding Martha. Lester, Ray, Grace and Mary are standing in front.

Clearing the land of trees, living in a log cabin, milking cows, a time of quarantine when Grace had polio, building a barn and house ....

Wait a minute - I got ahead of the story. I am going to attempt to name this dozen - in order - without peeking in the Martin book.

Lester, Ray, Grace, Mary, Martha, Lloyd, Alma, Leona, Earl, Alta, Marlin and Nelson.

Mom (Leona) said she was about two years old when they moved to the big house closer to the road. 

When I read this outloud to Mom she edited it because in my hurry I got Mary and Martha mixed up. I first wrote that Martha was born in Canada. It's all fixed now - the right order - with Mom's help.

Getting back to Reunions ... 

In my growing up years we traveled from Graceton MN to Sheldon WI every Christmas vacation that we could. We were going to the Martin reunion. 

If there was a Martin reunion we might as well have a Skrivseth reunion because - hold on to your britches - four of these Martin clan married four from the Skrivseth family. 

Ben and Christina Skrivseth family:

Norma

Arnold

Sharon 

Sidney

Carol

Jo Ellen

Rhoda

Philip

Leah

Philip died in October 1957 a little more than a month after Leah was born. 
Lester and Norma

Lloyd and Sharon 

Arnie and Leona

Nelson and Rhoda

To top that Sid married Ruth and Carol married Amos. Ruth and Amos are siblings.

Their mother, Aletha, is my mom's 1st cousin on the Martin side.

Just some interesting side line facts in our family. Way too confusing but incredibly interesting in my opinion.  When Rhoda sat down and explained this family lineage to her youngest son, Lance, he asked, "But didn't you feel like you were almost related to Dad before you got married?" (I hope you're okay with me quoting you, Lance.)

I am at the stage of life where my aunts and uncles are going to their Heavenly homes. Now I go to funerals to see my family.

That's why the adventure I'm on now is so exciting because Mom and I are going to a 90th birthday party and an extended family reunion where aunts and uncles and cousins by the dozens are going to be.

We also stopped to visit my grade school friend, Ellen Sandvold Daniels.

We sat at Subway for awhile, talking and reminiscing. Suddenly the banging music seemed too loud so we ordered sandwiches and drove to a near by park where we could listen to the birds and watch ducks float past in the water. The lilacs blooming on small bushes sent a lovely aroma on the breeze. Sunshine and a shady place to sit and talk about days gone by is very relaxing. 

I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of the birthday cake or the birthday gal. Mabel Zimmerman Martin, Ray's wife, is the one who turned 90 on June 8th. Her family put on a lovely party and surprise open house for her. Mabel's daughter-in-law, Joyce, told me she counted the Ray Martin family and they are at 179 with several more babies on the way. 

(Maybe I can borrow a picture of the party  from facebook.)

I didn't get a recent picture of Grace, my mom's sister. When we visited her in Ladysmith I thought - we should get a picture! Then I forgot to do that before we left. 

Okay, I went back to my pictures and found this picture of Grace on her 90th birthday. 

Photo credits go to Rhoda Martin

I will get some more pictures and continue the story. Now I suppose I should pack my bags and continue on to the cousins reunion.

Happy Days! Enjoy your family today!