The first Bonner Family Luau was held on July 26, 2003 at Bonner Island (aka Wes' house) in San Angelo, Texas. The Luau lasted all day (and into the night, across the street, at the pool). The guest of honor at lunch was Mary Bonner, known to her family as Mammy. At the evening meal, Grace and Johnny "Pappy" Bonner were honored guests. Descendants of Mammy and Pappy came from near and far (OK, just as far as Arkansas) for the most complete gathering of the family in at least 10 years. We definitely missed James, Kinser and Lisa in the Northeast!
Highlights of the reunion included the kids' program, put together by Trudy and Trey, and two wonderful scrapbooks created by Tonia especially for Mammy and Pappy. The scrapbooks were full of pictures of all the family and letters of special memories from each family member to Mammy and Pappy.
We ate and ate (wow! what a brisket, JJ!), laughed and laughed, and some of us even cried (mostly Caroline). To say the least, the occasion was memorable for everyone, and hopefully a very special memory for Mammy and Pappy.
Description of pictures:
1 - Kolton helps the palm tree stay standing.
2 - Bethany and Samantha "share" a new found toy.
3 - Kids' program at lunch.
4 - Allison "pretending" to be Margie.
5 - Steven as Wes and Moe as Eddie.
6 - "Eddie" shows off his bald head.
7 - Bethany performs the ABC song at the lunch program.
8 - Mammy looks through her new family scrapbook.
9 - Mammy's whole gang (not including "others")
10 - The Great-grandkids (at least the attempt)
11 - The Grandkids
12 - The "Kids"
13 - Bethany and Uncle Clay practice their Jedi skills.
14 - Water fight!!
15 - Wes gets a new hairdo from his granddaughters.
16 - Look out, Bethany has discovered water guns.
17 - Steven resourcefully uses the tree as a new weapon against cousin Chad.
18 - John's family (from Tonia's pix)
19 - The Bonner Luau naturally included brisket in lieu of roast pig!
20 - Pappy and Grace came to the evening party.
21 - Caroline in her new Hawaiian dress.
22 - Bethany and Uncle Clay
23 - Steven and Allison give a rousing performance of Mary Had a Little Lamb (all verses!)
24 - Pappy looks at his new family scrapbook.
25 - Too much reunion!
(to view this picture, make sure the new window is maximized)
See Clay's pictures (click on Party album).