50th Anniversary Reunion

Our Condie family reunion was very special this year, because we were celebrating my Mom and Dad being together for 50 years!  All of my brothers and sisters were able to attend.  Our location?   National Harbor in Maryland, just across the bridge from Alexandria.    It's a relatively new harbor, hotel, condo, restaurant, shopping area.    Fortunately Ryan, Dara and Lillian were able to represent the Baird family with us.   Unfortunately, no one else could come.   We had some wonderful times with everyone there.   The first evening we arrived, we had dinner together (my Dad's treat) at Harrigan's right there in National Harbor.   It was a great kickoff for the weekend.   Some of us strolled around the harbor after dinner enjoying the sunset.   The harbor is the new home of "The Awakening"  sculpture that is like a giant man buried in the sand coming to life, with his head, hands, and knees breaking through the ground.   

The next morning we had a family fun run.   We mapped out a 2 mile course around the area, and had a great time running, talking, and walking.

Here's the view from our 9th floor suite.

We looked down on the pool from our room as well.   We enjoyed swimming a couple of times.   On Saturday we spent a little time in D.C. , then met up with everyone again for dinner.   After dinner all the girls went to Charming Charlie's to shop for bling.   

This is what happened when Grandpa got to babysit Lillian for awhile:

It's official.   She loves licorice!  She's in Grandpa's circle for sure.

  On Sunday, we had permission to hold a sacrament meeting together.  It was a very special time to be together, and feel the spirit as we took turns sharing some of our favorite hymns by speaking of them and singing them together.

Sunday evening was family picture time.   The photographer was wonderful  (Weslie Woodley), and we're excited to get the finished photos.   This one of the five of us is a preview

Our photo location looks like its outdoors, but it's actually INSIDE the Gaylord hotel and convention center at National Harbor, a block from our Wyndham timeshare.

Lillian was in great spirits and really hammed it up for the photographer!

Here are my fabulous parents with their nine children.  

Another thing we did on Sunday afternoon was family craft time.   With my sisters' help and expertise, we tie dyed t-shirts.   On Monday, we sported them around the harbor while shopping and eating lunch:

Ryan and Lillian had matching tie dyes, although you can't see Lillian's due to the bib.

Skip smiling and sporting the "skipper" hat he bought that day:

On Monday evening we had a special family home evening, where Julie presented an object lesson about family and faith.   Then we presented Mom and Dad with the book I had been helping to put together for them.   It had several pictures of their history together interspersed with letters and tributes from each child.   We took turns reading our contributions, expressing our love and thanks for the example they've given us through their 50 years together.

We had such a wonderful weekend together.  It was sad everyone couldn't stay longer.   We're definitely looking forward to our next one.   I think it may be a cruise next time!