Fabulous Lewis Family Reunion in Ajo, AZ

How do you sum up "The" Best Family Reunion ever? You put Uncle "Fun" Malin Lewis in charge along with lovely Aunt Sally and a tremendously supportive family and there you have it all rolled in to one amazing event. We gathered in Ajo, AZ on the afternoon of Wed. July 2nd until Sat. morning, July 5th. Malin and Sally thought of every detail imaginable from welcoming signs posted all the way into Ajo with all the family names, water misters to stay cool, great organization of meals where we just showed up and prepared the food they had planned, purchased and had ready for us, hiring a videographer, matching t-shirts for this incredible family photo of the 188 of us that attended. They made everyday a most memorable event. We were the main attraction in their community 4th of July parade with Grandma Lewis as the Grand Marshall.

What an overwhelming feeling of love and excitement filled the air as each family member arrived and the numbers kept swelling. This was the largest attended reunion to date. What a wonderful blessing that Grandma Lewis' health was strong enough for her to make this trip and be a part of all of the events of the reunion. She is nearly 94-years old, in September, but you'd never know it. She was there smiling and beaming with her amazing posterity around her.

Our first gathering was held in the Curley School Auditorium where the Lewis children attended school. Music and entertainment and delicious Mexican food was a hit for the "Opening Night." Uncle Wick put together a fantastic video that highlighted Grandpa Lewis sharing experiences of his early days in Ajo, and coming to know that Myreel Smith was the right one for him after all those years of waiting for the one that had every quality he wanted in a wife. As Christian watched his Great-Grandpa on the screen, he said, "There's you, Grandpa."

The reunion theme, "Remembering Our Roots," carried through the week by visiting different locations in town that were especially meaningful to the Lewis Family.

I'm so grateful I belong to this amazing Lewis Family. I feel it a great honor to have the privilege of marrying into this family. I love Grandma Lewis so much. I love her like my own mother. I love each one in this family and I hope we can carry on the great legacy that has been passed down to us.

Strengthening family relationships, is so very important. Quoting from Elder Quinton Cook's April 2014 conference talk, "Family commitments and expectations should be at the top of our priorities to protect our divine destiny." 

Aunt Lynn provides bubbles for all the children

1st Built Church where Crismon attended.

House where the first saints met for church

Malin & Myreel's first home

The Curley School

Community garden in the courtyard of the school. They are turning it into guest apartments.

New Cornelia Hospital where all 12 children were born.

Uncle Malin giving us instructions at the Federated Church where Grandpa Lewis preached one summer when the church didn't have a pastor.

Crismon with grandson, Christian and granddaughter Evelyn Williams at the graves of Ardene & Selwyn.

Ajo Church house today where Grandpa Lewis served as the 1st Bishop and helped build along with help from his family and saints in the area.

Phelps Dodge Cooper Mine no longer in operation

Julia in the Desert Dairy Office

Grandpa Lewis' office where Crismon proposed to me in Nov. 1974.

The little home to the east of  the Dairy where Crismon was brought home to after his birth in Dec. 1948. 

Two journalist in the Desert Dairy Office.

On the dock of the Desert Dairy. The sign above us was just found by a friend at a junk yard and purchased to give to Malin & Sally. That helped solidify there prayers of where to hold the reunion. It seemed right to have it in Ajo and they were right. 

Crismon in Grandpa Lewis' hat.

The Lewis home where the children grew up in Ajo. Now Main & Sally's home.

Seth with Grandma Lewis

Seth, Grandma Lewis & Dad Crismon

Julia with her sweet Grandma Lewis.

Our family that attended the reunion, Julia, Meredith's family, Evelyn, Christian & Hudson, and Seth.

Crismon is Grandma's 4th child (and favorite). She made them all feel like her favorite.

Grandma kept smiling through all these pictures. Meredith is beaming, too.

Amazingly, Grandma spoke for 30 minutes, giving counsel and expressing her love, all without any notes, and standing the entire time.

The Lewis Brothers sang during the special FHE honoring Grandma Lewis. Stayner mentioned that he felt/heard Selwyn was singing, too.

Mealtime was so fun.

We sang the National Anthem at the beginning of the 4th of July events at the town square.

All 10 living Lewis Children

Malin & Sally's family

When Grandpa saw these two climbing the face he said, "You guys will get busted." Evelyn yelled, "We're already busted!"

Unlimited supply of ice cream bars.

Hotel swimming and some at Malin & Sally's pool.

Dad's morning of quiet time reading about his Lewis history.

Looking toward the center of town from the Curley School.

The Library at the Curley School

Apartments by the Curley School

Dad with the Hospital in the background near the mine. All 12 children were born in this hospital.

The Curley School

Williams Family Fun in July

What makes Arizona in the summer so fun? Visiting the William's family! This was the first time that Dad and I went together to visit their family. Bryan & Meredith were so nice to give us their room and adjoining bathroom. Hudson sleeps at the end of their large walk-in closet, but he was good through the night. We arrived on Tuesday, July 1st. Our stop was driving by the Phoenix AZ temple that is nearly finished. They are waiting for all the construction around the temple to be finished. It is just 5 minutes from their home.

Sandwiched between our visit with the William's family was our Lewis Reunion in Ajo. While in Glendale, at their lovely apartment complex with kept cool in their fun pool. Evelyn, 5, and Christian, 3 are amazing swimmers! Hudson (16 months) is so dark, he doesn't look like he belongs in our family, especially with those beautiful brown eyes, too, but we definitely claim him. We thought Christian was busy, but Hudson is nonstop! Meredith is amazing how she keeps everything going while Bryan does rotations in different states. Through it all she keeps her radiant smile.

When Bryan is around we can't stop laughing. He is a fun Dad and is able to encourage their children to be adventuresome and brave. He is working so very hard in his fourth year of Medical School and will graduate in May 2015.

Julia came back to Glendale with us after the reunion for a short stay, and then back home to Rexburg on Sunday. Dad and I enjoyed attending their ward and hearing Meredith as their organist. She is also the music chairman in their ward and she blesses their ward with her musical talents.

Evelyn is on top of everything, not afraid to tackle something new. She crawled under the bed in search of my glasses and was right there to help me out.

Christian melts your heart with his sweetness. He's all boy, but has such a tender heart. Nothing holds Hudson back. He is everywhere and has a beautiful smile like his Mom's.

We took care of the children on Tuesday so Meredith and Bryan could have a full day to themselves, kayaking, going to the temple, shopping, out to eat and just time to visit...alone, without interruptions. We had fun going to McDonald's for ice cream, to Walmart for swim toys, to the library, and, of course, more swimming. It was so cute to see Evelyn and Christian holding hands as they walked to the pool. When Meredith & Bryan received the text from me saying they were in bed, they figured it was safe to come home.

We loved having FHE with them and seeing the children perform. Recently they received a small upright piano for free, so that is a fun addition to their home.

Thank you so much, cute William's family for making our stay so great! We love you!