Toone Family Reunion & Farm

We had our bi-annual Toone Family Reunion this summer at the end of July, in Grace, Idaho. At the Niter LDS Chapel, actually. Family gathered round, good food was had by all, and stories and good times were shared. Here's David, Aunt April, cousin Ben, and some of the kiddos.

The buffet lunch was a feast, and I love how this picture shows lots of the Toones! Greg's sons Ryan and Trent, Sherm's son, Steven, then Ryan's wife Kenna, Greg's daughter, Alicia (the fabulous photographer and best dressed attendee), then Uncle Sherm, cousin Matthew, and Jake.

Dig in!

Lexi Lou, my cutie pie.

After lunch, Trent led a game of "Name That Toone", where he shared a slideshow of pictures and facts, and the younger kids were assigned to be a team for each Toone brother, and guess who was who. It was really fun!

Each of Gwen and Floyd Toone's sons stood up and introduced their families and gave updates on the latest happenings. I love Uncle Sherm- such a good guy.

I'm pretty sure Dad is emotional in this photo, which I love about him. So sensitive and loving, especially when it comes to family. That's Uncle Garth- Dad's cousin, to his left across from him.

Uncle Greg- always so smiley and friendly.

And Uncle Fred- farmer through and through, and so funny and down to earth.

It was so fun having a picture booth set up outside the church. Alicia brought amazing props to use, and we got some good ones!

Haha. Cute Mom!

Lexi's pipe. :)

The kids got to go fishing at the "irrigation pond" where the sign said "No skinny dipping!". Haha that was a joke for the brothers, who once indeed went skinny dipping in the pond in their younger days.

The best part of the reunion was the part that I did NOT get any pictures of! It was a wax museum, complete with people dressed up as Toone ancestors, and acting them out with speaking parts. I played Nellie Bennett, Floyd's mom. Mom and Dad played parts, and so did Brittney. Trent played a hilarious part of a scottish ancestor, complete with accent and kilt. It was really neat- and Aunt Connie put it all together.

After all the church happenings, we took a field trip to visit the Toone Dairy Farm. Of course! The kids love to drink straight from the water pump.

It was funny- we went to Wheeler Farm last week, and they found a water pump there and Cami turned it right on and drank from it like a true farm girl. She does want to be a cowgirl when she grows up, after all.

Aunt Bree and Lexi, marveling at the intense setup of cow milking.

Calves! Always the best part of the farm.

The girls were actually scared to get close to the calves. Sillies. But they admired them from afar.

The kids got a chance to climb the big giant tractor, or equipment.

And romp in the cottonseed!

And swiiiiing to their heart's content!

We then took a field trip to visit the dam, which I'd never been to before.

Lots of fun, education opportunities at this reunion! It was so good to spend time with family. What a blessing it is to have family all around, and to know the rich heritage and ancestory of who we are and where we come from. I know I'm grateful!

And last but not least, here are some of the pictures that Alicia took with her amazing camera and skills. Love!

Just missing you, Nathan! Love these people so much.

A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E

Best cousins

Our little family

And these two wonderful people who started it all.

Family is Forever.