Paxman Family Reunion

Jill, Richard, Adam, Rick, Dad, Mom, Timothy, Lauren, Emily & Elizabeth, Amy, Suzy, Taylor, Chris, Phillip

The last week of July, we drove down to Maryland for the second ever Richard G. Paxman family reunion. Though some of the cousins couldn't make it (one is getting married!), we still made up a pretty big . . . and, may I say, good-looking group. The blue theme was totally unintentional. Our gracious hosts were the Johnson's. (No relation; I didn't marry my cousin.) Jill is quite possibly the best aunt anyone could ask for. When we were little, she would have my sister and me sleep over and we'd "live dangerously" and paint our toenails. Now that we live so close, her home, as well as Amy's up in Michigan, has become a refuge of love and suburban familiarity.

The big outing of our trip was a visit to Gettysburg. In preparation, we all read The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. I highly recommend this novel, even for non-history buffs like me. I also highly recommend learning as much about the battle before you go visit. It wouldn't have meant nearly as much to me if I hadn't known who these men were that sacrificed so much.

Guessing how much a cannon gun weighs.

We divided into three groups and each car had a tour guide drive us around and tell us about each site as we asked questions. I wouldn't have wanted to see Gettysburg any other way. Incredible! The best part was when, after learning that we are LDS, our guide mentioned that he'd given a tour to some of our leaders. "One of them was . . . Gordon, something . . . ?" We saw battle fields, memorials, a cyclorama (do you know what that is? I didn't.) and ended the day at a great hole in the wall where I had the best cheesesteak I've ever eaten. We also ended up with one incredibly tired baby.


A couple of the days of the reunion were spent in downtown DC at the museums.

Adam's Kermit the Frog face. This is the only way to get Elizabeth to sleep when we're out and about. And it only lasts for 30 min max.

The live butterfly exhibit at the natural history musuem.

A butterfly landed on me! (I am a Disney princess.)

Another highlight was going to the temple with my cousin, Phillip, who recently got his mission call to Manaus, Brazil. His mission is almost entirely rainforest. !!! For those of you who don't know, before going on a mission or getting maried, members of our church participate in a special ceremony that "endows" us or gives us spiritual strength and power as we make promises to God. It was a beautiful thing to be there with Adam and my parents, and see the joy on my aunt and uncle's faces as their son took such an important step.

The last day of our trip, we went to a lake. Do you think Elizabeth had a good time?

All in all, it was a great reunion. See you guys in 2011.