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ATTENTION, DECENDENTS of L.A. & ESTELLA IVERSON
EIGHT ANNUAL FAMILY REUNION
Once again the time has come, to reunite and have some fun.
The ranch once more will be the place, we expect a smile on every face
Forget babbling brooks and cool pine trees, plan for dust and gusts of
Arizona breeze!
A three-day event is planned out of desperation, Saturday, however will be
the central day of celebration.
Such fun we'll have, let's stay longer you will beg, don't sneer and say
what bosh, did we ever pull your leg?
We'll whoop and yell and tall tale's tell, so wear your high tops
boots-Just your tough luck, that you were born with Arizona Roots!!
May 24th, 25th, and 26th.
Saturday 1pm. Family dinner potluck, bring your favorite stew or pot of
beans
Loaf of bread or salad greens. Gumdrops, licorice, we don't care, just as
long as you are there!
Saturday evening supper, hamburgers on the bar-b-que, homemade ice cream
for all of you, and cake galore just to say Happy Birthday to those born
in May.
GAMES**PRIZES**EVERYONE PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN THE HAT
DECORATING CONTEST TWO CATERGORIES: CHILD & ADULT, WONDERFUL PRIZES
FOR THE WINNERS!
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NEWSLETTER
A-Z RANCH
MOHAVE CO. ARIZONA
1986
Lee's Family. None, we missed you! We were going to come to your house
but we were afraid the jet we chartered would be hi-jacked to some place
worse than the Strip! Old Mexico perhaps??
Duard's Family. Most there, except Ramona's family who live in Idaho
Carla's Family. Brent's and Carla
Harley's Family. Pamela and Calvin from S.L.C., Peggy and Jeff from
Phoenix. Lorene had to work so only she was missing.
Garn's Family. All there as usual. Good work Barb, we know this wasn't
your year to come (however you owed it to me after that hospital fairy
story!)
Boyd's Family. Boyd, Judy and Bob. Now you can't beat that with a
stick!
Mary's Family. Shawn, the lone brave eagle of the tribe!
Max's Family. All there, fine show Max, you always were our favorite
"baby" brother.
Saturday morning Garn and Barb were the first to arrive. They were
followed shortly by Brent's family with Carla and Shawn in row. Right on
their heel were Cindy and kids and her friend Scott and his son Josh. Next
were Boyd and Judy, and from there on arrivals were so fast and furious we
lost track.
The guys promptly organized a work party and very soon we had a great
shade over the patio. It didn't hardly rattle, bang or nothing this year!
Of course the wind had done us a favor this year and stayed away. Guess
the gnats invitation got lost in the mail, as they didn't put in an
appearance either
About 2 o'clock we had a family dinner. So much food, guess it was our
version of, "Hands Across America," or "Clodhoppers across
the Strip." Boyd's beans were a big hit, after all how can you have a
dinner on the Arizona Strip without a pot of pinto beans?
After dinner there was a chess game in progress on the patio, so we all
grouped out there and played a few other silly games. It wasn't easy to
pry the chess players away from their board to take their turn at Wheel of
Fortune. But after much cajoling they finally did, and yup, sure enough
one of the kids upset their chessboard-oops-they declared a draw and
started over. That chess game seemed to have gone on for two days. I did
notice that the players' faces changed at times, it was just the studious
looks of concentration that always remained the same. Have no idea who was
the tournament winner, it may have been continued until next year!
Supper time Harley had brought the hamburger patties for the group, and
Peggy did the fryin'(she didn't work her way through high school at
McDonalds for nothing) She wasn't feeling too well, because to tell an
open secret, Harley and Merna are going to be grandparents when the autumn
leaves start to fall-but she hung in there and did a fine job. Max and a
group of helpers made ice cream so we had a dandy supper.
Max's family, which included Mike and friend Debbie from BYU, Kevin and
Tina from Calif., Also Cindy and group, Paul Brett, and Shawn all dug in
for the duration. The rest of us cowards scurried back to town for a hot
shower and soft bed; but we all returned early Sunday morning, plus
Glenna, Rodney's and others who had to work on Saturday. Tris didn't show
up until sundown! (what a chicken!)
Sunday morning was quite a bustle. Nita was cooking pancakes and
sausages. She burned her finger so when she left off, Boyd took up the
post and was flopping out bacon, eggs, and hash browns for all comers.
(Boy, Lee and Lee A, did you ever pick the wrong Sunday morning to show
up-or not show up??) Barbara made a pot of coffee so strong, even Boyd
couldn't drink it, or maybe that was Saturday morning-whichever!
About this same time Duard had organized a jump rope contest and no the
contestants were not kiddies but "growed" up men. It was very
interesting to watch the different forms. Some gave it the ol steeplechase
try, some the Pee Wee crow hop, and some the ol Wally chasin' a rabbit
stretch! The jumping platform was the third step on the outhouse path..
When Hal was asked to participate, he leaned back in his chair and said,
he had always considered learning to jump rope a very unnecessary
accomplishment-and continued to watch the festivities from a prone
position! Tina was the only female in the match. I don't know who won but
she was high up there on the scoreboard, with Cyle, Kevin, Bob, and Mike.
Cindy's friend Scott brought two four-wheelers, which kids young and
old enjoyed a great deal. We also enjoyed Scott and Josh. They mixed right
in with the bunch and we all had a good time.
During the three days (including guests) there were 63 of us trod the
ground of the old homestead. Max and family were the last ones to leave on
Monday. They always hang in there 'til the last dog is hung, which really
helps the reunion along. (quoting Max from the journal, cause I run out of
space on the mishmash page. "After a great amount of engineering,
planning, and discussion we managed to install a drainpipe from the house
to the new water tank. Bets were taken on how long it would take for the
cows to knock it down David and Shawn made a real effort to turn into
mud-dogs. They stirred up the pond and came out with a perfect Arizona
Strip camouflage. The cow dung added just the right amount of green
blended with the landscape both visually and in odor!" Looking
forward to next year. (Max)
I had such a good time, and when Harley said to me, "If Mom and
Dad could see us today they would be proud and happy." I thought so
too. It was a fun reunion; and Harley and I want all to know of our love
and appreciation for each of you, and many thanks for the help YOU ALL
gave us. A special thanks to Linda for making all our prizes.
Next year our fearless leaders will be Garn and Boyd. I already know it
will be fun, fun, fun, so come, come, come! Carla Iverson Hawkinson
STUPID HAPPEN'S AND OTHER MISHMASH
Boyd having been one of the winners in Wheel of Fortune, also won the
jelly bean count contest, also the drawing for the ranch house plack, now
it is time for the hat contest, which is to be decided by applause. Kevin
says, with a slight smirk, "No doubt Boyd will win this too!"
Now I don't know what happened, if it was the monkey see, monkey say,
monkey do, syndrome, or if it was his charisma--it for sure wasn't that
bilious colored baseball cap!! Anyway he won!
You'd think that an old cowpoke like Garn would know better than let a kid
buck off the back end of his horse in two feet of mud, ugh! That's all
right Holly next year we will all root for Paul to throw him into the pond
at their annual wrestling match--after all Paul is getting bigger, and
Garn is getting--ahem--older!
Josh, having never been to the Strip before, wore shorts and white knee
socks. Saturday evening as he was helping churn ice cream, Boyd told him
if we had a dirty sock contest he'd win hands down! I'm sure Bob would
have been first runner-up as he got a four-wheeler to close to the pond
and encased one leg to the knee in solid mud.
And speaking of Boyd--isms, we were discussing Judy's newly acquired
horse, when Boyd announced that its name is KalKan: which brought quite a
chuckle from the group. Garn said what made it even more humorous was the
look of indignation on Judy's face when he said it! Never mind Judy, we
know your horse "ain't" no bow-wow!
QUOTES FROM THE JOURNAL
Let the record show that Kevin and Bob rallied from a 19 to 8 deficit to
beat Mike and Scott in horseshoes. We are happy to be here this year and
wish to thank the organizers and do-gooders for making the reunion a
success. (Kevin & Tina)
This is the best reunion I have been to in a long time. There is only
one disappointment for me; it's that Uncle Garn didn't get thrown in the
pond. (Shawn)
Loved your hospitality and ranch, and enjoyed all the Iverson family.
(Scott &Josh Dyer)
This reunion today meets all the requirements for generating good will,
and good memories. The Iverson Reunion has taken a great step forward.
(Garn)
It is a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it! (Brent)
Great fun in the sun--good food, and great company. (Boyd & Judy)
We had a hard journey! (Paige)
Forgot two sleeping bags, then two kids threw-up in the ones we did
remember, had a good time. We'll be back! (Cindy)
Had a good time, especially eating ice cream and watermelon. I'm glad
we get together. (Glenna)
Everything made for a great reunion this year. The weather great, the
family super, and food superb. A thousand thanks to all for making this
one the best. (Harley & Merna)
The Iverson clan has arrived! Better late than not at all! (Tris &
Bonnie)
I came before Tris did! Now it's time to take my kids home and hose
them off. (Stella)
I'm glad I have to wait another year to roll in the dirt. (Chris) |