“The Jim & Shirlyn Allen Family Reunion”
Greer, Arizona 2016
July 17 thru July 23
(a blow by blow accounting)
by “Papa” & “Grammy” Allen
We arrived in Greer, AZ at Danny & Kimberly’s Mountain Home Sunday afternoon (yesterday) in a beautiful rain storm. Smells so wonderful and clean. Tricia and her children arrived a half hour before us because we stopped to get some Snowflake Karn” in memory of Momma to share with everybody as they trickled in. Next to arrive was Timmy & Shiloh’s family with our youngest “Grand” little Smithie who was a little overwhelmed with all the attention he was getting. Everybody ate their “Karn” snack and then Timmy put out his famous Cottage Cheese Dip with Salsa and chips for all to enjoy while playing “JaNae”. Stacy and Aftin had never played it before so everybody was teaching as we went along. Then most went to bed and at 11:30 PM Billy’s and Robby’s families arrived together towing Robby’s fun mobile. Billy and Karen came in to our bedroom to say hello and Karen was so adorable she was clapping and wiggling with excitement at being all together again. We kept little Ashlyn in our bed to snuggle while her parents emptied their car and got everybody in the two families bedded down. “Papa” Jim and I, “Grammy” Shirlyn had four “roomies” for awhile but then Ashlyn’s Daddy came to claim her and later on Abbie decided to wander around a lot so we sent her up to “room” with her Momma and hoped her Momma could help her want to go back to sleep. Tricia was only able to come up at all IF she could do her work on the computer while here . So when we all went to bed all WI Fi was turned off so that when she woke up at 4 to start her internet business. the internet would work good for her. Everybody was assigned to bring up groceries for one Breakfast, one Lunch and one Dinner they decided to take one day each and get it over with but because Karen and Kristin wanted to do their two days together and got up here so late and had asked for Monday Timmy and Shiloh volunteered to do their Breakfast and then Tuesday they can do their Breakfast. Everybody brought up their own pillows, bath towels, sleeping bags for children or bedding. Jim and I made a CostCo stop and picked up 500 each of dinner paper plates, bowls, cups or various sizes, knives, forks, spoons, paper towels, toilet paper, dish detergent, hand soap and trash bags. We’re geared for bear!!! The kids have already started to make up a play to present to us. They’ve cleaned out a very lopsided fort to play in, practiced their musical numbers for the family night for sharing; make a bicycle obstacle coarse; reading to each other and just enjoying being together as siblings and cousins. Busy, Busy people, we just feel so blessed that they would want to spend a week with us. Billy’s old house is in the middle of closing and so is Robby’s in New Mexico so Kristin’s off to Eager to a bank to do paper work and Billy’s here for a week even though he’s already spent a couple of weeks in California for Karen’s Eagleston Reunion. Danny’s staying in town until Weds. after work and then Tatum and Romney will come Thurs. on their way to heading to Utah to Tessa’s Homecoming. I asked one to be in charge of everybody getting a menu together; One in charge of making sure everybody had an Olympic Event to bring up all equipment for; Kimberly’s got “Sr. & Jr. Chore Charts” going; Billy’s out organizing rides in the two fun mobiles (Danny leaves his here at their place for the summer) and Jim’s appointed himself the photographer for me. I’m not as mobile as I’d like to be but they are all so creative and helpful and work well together so Jim and I can just enjoy being with them all.
Sample Menu:
Sunday night snack: “Karn” on the cob; two dips and lots of chips. (J/S, Timmy)
Monday Morning: Pancakes with peanut butter and syrup (Timmy & Shiloh)
Monday Lunch: hoagy sandwiches, chips, watermelon (Billy, Karen & Kristin)
Monday Dinner: Teriyaki chicken bowls (Kristin, Billy & Karen)
Tuesday Breakfast: “Poppy McMuffins” cut up blueberries & strawberries( & orange juice (Kristin, Billy & Karen)
Tuesday Lunch: Bean Burritos, Cheese Quesadilla , Chips and Salsa (Timmy & Shiloh)
Tuesday Dinner: Shiloh’s Momma’s Pessa Stew with Cornbread (Timmy & Shiloh)
Weds.. Breakfast: Granola Parfaits and Bagels (Kristin, Billy & Karen)
Weds. LuncH: Chicken Noodle Soup or Potato Soup, Rolls, Brownies & ice Cream. (Kristin, Billy & Karen)
Weds. Dinner: -bque Pork on Rolls, Chips, Carrots, Brownies & Ice Cream (Kristin, Billy & Karen)
Thursday Breakfast: Fruit Smoothies and Cream Cheese Bagels. (Tricia)
Thursday Lunch: Ham & Cheese Sliders, Chips, Fruit (Tricia)
Thursday Dinner: -Bqued hamburgers (Danny & Kimberly)
Friday Breakfast:
Friday Lunch:
Friday Dinner:
Sat. Breakfast:
Sat. Lunch:
IT’S MONDAY MORNING: Several started the day early on jogs, walks or runs. Billy went one way and Kimberly went another. Karen and Amy walked thru Greer and back but our Kristin who usually get’s out on runs had to get ready for the day and go do banking to close on the home in New Mexico that they sold. She came back with a funny story about banking in the small town of Eagar that had us laughing. The new tables outside were arranged with the help of our strong teen “Grand’s” into one long table with nice oilcloth coverings that I gave to Kimberly for her Mountain Retreat when we moved out of our Whitehorn Home a couple of months ago. I was so happy to see you liked them enough to use up here. Kimberly had the boys that had slept on the porch, roll up their bedding and fold up their cots so the porch could be used for activities during the day. We have such a full, fun day ahead of us (Tuesday). We had Timmy & Shiloh’s delicious pancakes and Billy’s cinnamon, sugar apple slices. When kitchen was all spit spot by Timmy & Shiloh all sorts of fun things began to happen. The Rino’s were take out the targets were set up for archery and BeeBe Gun’s came out of hiding, kids fishing poles were purchased and bikes chains were lubed. I was able to observe all even when hooked up to my ice machine for therapy thru our bedroom window. Fact is I think I observed Jim and our Billy have the longest conversation uninterrupted by Karen & I in my whole life (thru the screen on our bedroom window). The teen “Grandson’s” were impressed with their uncle Timmy’s archery skills and they also enjoyed getting the feel of the bow (50-80 # pull) . Even Amy & Kimberly gave it a try and succeeded . Several got to have a try at the wheel of Danny & Robby’s Rino’s.. Fact is we had a visit from our local forest service law enforcement because they got a complaint from the first house on Danny’s road. They did not give us a ticket just said not to ride beyond the fence along the stream because of it being a bird sanctuary. The fishing was great fun to observe and what I could observe was shared thru picture for me. Timmy took it upon himself to help Levi, Pammie Shea , Abbie catch their first fish and Billy helped Austin catch his first fish. We had lunch of great everything but the kitchen sink hoagies amidst a couple of rain storms. Jim was in charge of our Family Home Evening and had the boys line up the tables and chairs church style. He talked about the importance of family and thanked Kimberly and Danny for making our “Jim and Shirlyn Allen Family 2016 Reunion” possible in their beautiful Mountain Retreat. Then he had Kimberly talked about their once a month Family Home Evening with Nonny& Poppy Allen. She told us that they started it five years ago and that it was the best because their children grew to love their Nonny and Poppy and they learned so much from them. Then Jim had each couple in the family report of their families. After that he had each couple tell how they met and decided they were the ones for each other. Jim also reported on how we met and how we decided to get married. It was a fun evening and afterwards we had hot out of the oven chocolate chip cookies and cups of milk. Then the kids played games with Billy & Timmy while the women stood around the kitchen and told stories and laughed about things that they are their kids had done. We are so blessed that all our children enjoy being together. Robby even called to tell us that he and LaNell’s family were having their own Family Home Evening in Sandy going out to dinner together. The Pecks are in Utah for Dayna’s college graduation from BYU Idaho this week.
Can’t wait to see what today hold’s . Already Kimberly’s off and running shortly after 6 this morning and Billy probably is out in the woods also but I’ve been in getting my shower over before the bathroom is taken over by the rest of this crew. After Kristin, Billy & Karen fed us all a delicious breakfast of “Poppy McMuffin’s” and fresh fruit. Then pretty much everybody did their own things while other’s were preparing & gathering materials for their planned
“Allen Family Olympic” events. Then lunch was prepared by (Timmy & Shiloh) of Mexican Food. Then, Let the Games Begin: …………….
THE JIM & SHIRLYN FAMILY OLYMPICS 2016
Organized & Conducted by Amy
Assisted by her Jim & Kimberly
1-5:30 PM
Greer, AZ
“The Star Spangled Banner” was beautifully sung by Anna Allen and then she led us in “The Pledge of Allegiance.”
Amy Steele organized and conducted with her Dad Jim Allen as her assistant and Kimberly Allen as the official photographer.
1st EVENT - “THE BIATHLON “- sponsored by The Wade & Amy Allen Steele Family
(The event consisted of a Bike Race 3/4 ways around the cabin; Target Shoot with soft pellet gun;, Dirt Bike Obstacle Coarse all timed for three different levels or age groups).
First Level Awards went to: Bronze - Royce
Silver - Ashlyn
Gold - Ruby
Second Level Awards: Bronze - Anna
Silver - Megan
Gold - Brady
Third Level Awards: Bronze - Justin
Silver - Max
Gold - Gavin
2nd EVENT - “THE CRACKER-WHACKER RACE” - sponsored by The J.Robert & Kristin Smith Allen Family (The event consisted of two age groups with each having a ribbon tied around their waste with a full saltine cracker attached to it and each handed a “whacker” which was a rolled up part of a magazine . The last one left with his “cracker” still on his string won.)
First Level Awards: Bronze - Justin
Silver - Gavin
Gold - Timmy
Second Level Awards:
Bronze - Austin
Silver - Pamela
Gold - Levi
3rd EVENT - “THE CORN HOLE” - sponsored by The Danny & Kimberly Steele Allen Family. (The event consisted of whole families competing against each other in throwing bean bags into a hole on a tilted board several feet away.) Scores were kept for each family and then an elimination took place until the top three families scores were made.)
The Awards went to:
Bronze - Rob & Kristin Allen Family (Kristin, Justin, Lauren & Megan)
Silver - Danny & Kimberly Allen Family (Kimberly, Gavin Ard, Aftin)
Gold - “Papa” with Amy & Wade Steele Family ( Amy, Max, Brady, Abbie & Ruby)
4th EVENT - “THE GUNNY SACK RACE” - sponsored by The Tricia & Matthu Rooker Family. (This event consisted of two families competing agains each other until one had the best time and continued to happen until finished and the best three times per family received metals.)
The Awards went to:
Bronze - Tricia & Matthu Rooker Family (Tricia, Rae, Stacy, Royce & Ryker) Silver - Billy & Karen Allen Family (Billy, Karen, Audrey, Anna, . Alisa, Austin, Ashlyn)
Gold - (Aftin & Gavin of D & K Family
5th EVENT - ‘THE DIZZY WAITER RACE:” - sponsored by The Timmy & Shiloh Allen Family. (This event consisted of a tray with several plastic cups filled with water. The first on each team was to take the tray full of cups with water over to another person across the way who has been spinning 5 times before he could be handed the tray then he had to race to the other side not spilling any water. After all the families competed against each other the best three times we awarded prizes.)
The Awards went to:
Bronze - Timmy & Shiloh Allen Family (T.J., Pammie Shea, Levi)
Silver - Danny & Kimberly Allen Family ( Gavin Ard, Aftin)
Gold - Robby & Kristin Allen Family (Kristin,, Lauren, Justin & Megan)
6th EVEN T - “THE ALLEN FAMILY - I CAN RUN ONE MILE ANYTIME, ANY PLACE, NO MATTER WHAT - RACE” - sponsored by The Billy & Karen Allen Family
( This event had all the kids lined up on half of the dirt road starting below “Hoyt’s Hide-A-Way” Cabin and the kids ran to the picnic area by the lake. It was a timed race and not only did they have awards for the “Top” but for various categories that the organizers came up with.)
honorable mention and fun. The awards went to: BRONZE - Brady Steele
SILVER - Justin Allen
GOLD - Gavin Ard Allen
“Hit it with your best Shot”……………………… Stacy
“Best Form”……………………………………………Ryker
“Best Stride”……………………………………….…Alisa
“ Eye of the Tiger”………………………………… …“TJ”
“Never Gave Up”……………………………………… Rae
“Best Dressed.”………………………………………. Lauren
“Her smile endured”………………….Ashlyn
“Cutest running Shoes………………Abbie
“Great Sports” who made everything fun and encouraged all around them to do their best and keep going: ……………………… Audrey Allen, Anna Allen, Austin Allen, Levi Allen , “Grammy”
and we can’t leave out:
“Best Natured”……………….baby Smith’y
It was such a fun time together. BOY did we time it just right with a little help from above. It wasn’t 3 min. after we all got into our cars to go back to the cabin that lightning and thunder and heavy rain descended drenching those riding in the “fun car’s”.
Shiloh and Timmy had a hot delicious meal of Passe Stew and Cornbread ready for us after everybody cleaned up from the days activities.
The evening ended with hot chocolate made for all by Lauren, Rae and Audrey. Some played “Banana Boat” while other’s just relaxed.
Timmy, is the first that had to get back to work and also close on their new home. He left at 9:30 PM and after he pulled out a couple more cars did the same but they were going animal hunting ( we called it “Spotlighting” back in the day). They kinda had a scary twist on the events of the evening. The Teen Girls were out looking and their Daddy and Uncle came up behind them close with flashing bright lights and other taunting. “Uncle Billy” was lucky they didn’t dial 911. because then he would have had two citations from The Greer Unruly Patrol. The first being heading the pack of “rino” drivers around a broken down fence and tooling over a meadow of grass that the ranger said was federal bird habitat (since when’s all I want to know). I think he was the local “Barnie Fife” who was misusing his authority with undo dominion.
After yesterday’s busy Olympic Workout we had a cabin full of people who slept later. Amy had to leave with Brady for Gilbert for him to ge thru his new Middle School and get the lay of the land and his schedule because they all start Monday. Amy is doing a quick turn around and on her way back here.
For their activities for the day thus far. Some rehearsed for the family talent show being held tonight. Other’s took off exploring. Jim was “the sag wagon” for the nature hike into and thru Greer with all the pre-teens and Tricia and Kristin. The Teen girls took one of the cars to go explore a ghost town that the men and teen boys were going to go paintball near. They all just returned, along with Amy and Danny and Kimberly are in charge of dinner tonite.. Then our “Allen Family Extravaganza”.
I need to mention that Kimberly spent most of yesterday and the evening helping me reorganize my iphoto program which is full of thousands of pictures and she taught me what so many of my computer buttons are for. Took lots of notes but unless I do my assigned homework I will soon forget.
They couldn’t have eaten “Srinky-dink” plastic metals. Good idea Amy to have us make the Olympic Metals out of various items featuring chocolate.
Every evening “Mrs. Hannegen” aunt Kimberly have the Jr. kids and the Sr. kids pull a chore from her chart for the next 24 hours. The little kids go up to her at various times during the day and ask her for a job. This is Ruby and Ryker cleaning widows as high as they can reach. Soooooo adorable how focused they were
When the men and boys were out they went down by “Hoyt’s Hide-Away” aspen grove and discovered the tree Billy & Karen carved their names on when they were dating. It survived the forest fire just barely. As you can see there were cabins that didn’t make it.
Delicious Lunch of warm ham and cheese sliders with“Aunt Tricia.”
Danny and Kimberly just fixed us THE BEST hamburger’s and hot dogs with all the fixins’ and a delicious salad called “Roommate Salad” of spinach, green onions, slivered almonds, cubed apples.
Now for “The Allen Extravaganza”……….. let the talent overwhelm us all ! TO BE CONTINUED WITH PICTURES with Kimberly's wonderful help. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
