Merry Family 2020
Four Generations. One Home.
For all of us, our story started on Louis Drive in the house beside the tall pine trees, with the clothes line out back that hung fresh linens in the spring and summers. In one way or another we all lived in the four bedroom house that made a home to a family of 47 and every neighbor and friend that entered. It is our home and the place we were made. Now and forever.
"They say that no matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood." Karen White
"Remember, the goal is not to raise great kids; it's to raise kids who become great adults." Andy Andrews
Heads of State "A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short."
Andre Maurois
The Fab Four
“To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were, we know each other’s hearts, we share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.”
Clara Ortega
A few of our favorite things
Ryder's Favorite Memories My favorite cabin memory is getting to be around my whole family and sitting by the fire listening to funny stories that have happened to us over the past year! I look forward to kickball all year around!
Alexandra's Favorite Memories There are literally too many special memories that stick out to me about Grandmother and Grandpa. One special memory that I remember specifically happened with Grandmother one year before The Cabins. I went up the mountain with her early on Friday to help put hot chocolate, homemade cookies, and spiced tea in each cabin before everyone got there. As we went to each cabin I listened to Grandmother tell me something special about each group from our family that would be staying there. I got to learn more about each person in our family, and that was really special! She has always been a perfect example of how to love others. She has shown me how to love through her words and through her actions. That Friday on top of Monte Sano was such a special time for me, whether she knew it or not, because I got to experience her genuine love for each person in our family. Grandmother has taught me so many things through the years, but showing genuine love for others might be the most special thing she has ever taught me.
Bill's Favorite Memories One word FAMILY. I love that the days are full of family time at the cabins. Whether it is eating chili, enjoying a campfire, the hike of the day, or the fan favorite kickball game. Everything is centered around FAMILY no matter the ages.
Suzanne's Favorite Memories Favorite memory at the cabins... that's a tough one!
I guess my number one favorite thing is that everyone comes, they mark it as high priority and make it happen! Even though we might not have seen each other in a year, we pick up right where we left off... all 40 of us! All the little kids have grown and big kids get to catch up on "life" while sitting around the fire. Who could not love a weekend like this! Our family is uniquely awesome and so is our cabin weekend! Schlemmers rock!
Diane's Favorite Memories Memories of us at Lake Highland are tethered to our Monte Sano reunions. Our family is so much more than our immediate family. We are a fullyengaged bundle of aunts and uncles, cousins, brother and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, with loud bursts of laughter and smiles everywhere. Just as Lake Highland is rooted and bound together by Nana and Big Daddy, our Monte Sano tradition is centered around Mom and Dad as we come together to claim the mountain as “ours� each year. Too many bigger-than-life memories to mention, but hiking the forest enmasse and playing a mean mash-up of kickball and dodge ball are at the top of the list!
Stephanie's Favorite Memories I have too many memories to count but the ones that stick out the most are going to Lily Flag pool in the summers with Mandee, learning to knit with you, baking and spending Saturday night at your house every year before Thanksgiving with our enormous, loud, loving family.
Love you and Merry Christmas Grandmother!
Travis's Favorite Memories My favorite memories are the kickball games and Saturday morning hikes with the whole family at the cabins.
Love you Grandmother!
From Tabby I may not be with you all of the time, but you are always in my heart and my thoughts. I love you.
Bob's Favorite Memories Without a doubt my favorite memory of the Monte Sano cabin reunions has been hiking with the little girls. It's been fun to watch them grow up more each year but they always want to go hiking. Looking forward to doing that again next November.
Karis's Favorite Memories We loved going to the neighborhood pool every summer.
I remember the time when the grandkids wrecked Grandpa’s scooter.
Once when Grandmother insisted I feed the twins “Oreos” she had saved for them it was actually Cheerios she had left from her snack mix and now she always gives them to me and we have a good laugh!
Ashlyn's Favorite Memories Dear Grandmother,
Thank you so much for always being a light in my life. Some of the best memories I have are at the mountains when I see you. Tensions may rise when we play kickball, but these moments create memories I will never forget. I love that we all come together to see you! I love you so much!
Love, Ashlyn
From Harper "Dear Grandmother, I miss you so much! I like going on hikes with the family. I miss your big hugs. I love you. From Harper"
From Lawson "Dear Grandmother, I like to do s'mores at the campfire. I miss you so much. I love you. Love Lawson"
From Carrigan "Dear Grandmother, I miss seeing you at the mountains! I can not wait to see you. I love you. Love Carrigan"
Sydney's Favorite Memories Annual kickball game, pistachios in the cabins, family hike on Saturdays, dinner at Grandmother's house on Saturday night, and when Max surprised proposed
“In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit�
Marge Kennedy
From Anna Grace Hi grandmother! I hope that this album brings you as much joy and you bring to all of us! This year has been a hard one and while I hate that we weren’t all able to see each other at the mountains I know when we are able to reunite it will be better than ever. The mountains are something that I look forward to every single year and leave with such a full heart and memories. We all have you to thank for that. It is such a blessing to all of us and I’ll forever be thankful. I hope you know how much we all love and care for you and how lucky we are to have a grandmother as special as you. Some of my favorite memories are jumping off the high dive, stealing grandpas scooter with Alexandra and just all around spending part of the summers at your house growing up. I cannot wait for the day we can all be together. I love you so much!!
From Bryson "I love you very much. I can't wait until I see you again."
From Kennedy "Dear, Grandmother I love you so much. I so bad that we can't go to the mountains. I miss going to your house, but sometime I'll see you. Going to the mountains was so fun. I hope you're ok during the coronavirus. I love you so much, you're the best. I miss you so much. Merry Christmas. Love, Kennedy"
Bryson
Kennedy
A look through the years...
Monte Sano "A happy family is but an earlier heaven."
George Bernard Shaw
Alright - everyone squeeze in!
“Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.”
To Grandmother This year might have kept many of us apart physically but there is no geographical distance that separates the love of family. This album is a token to remind us we're always together no matter the distance.
(Much love to all of you that shared photos and sweet messages. Can't wait to be with you all at the cabins next year!)
Cabin Dogs “My fashion philosophy is, if you’re not covered in dog hair, your life is empty.”
Elayne Boosler
In memory of Grandpa... a family cheat sheet.
Norman & Rhonda
Bob
Ben & Ashley
Carrie
Keane Breck
Tabbie & Alec William
Tyleigh
Karis & Anthony Ashlyn
Diane
Harper Carrigan Lawson
Stephanie Travis Cali
Mandee & Fred Kinsley Kennedy Bryson Orian Brooklyn
Sarah Beth Ava
Sydney & Max Jada (Little brother on the way)
Jordan Anna Grace John Drew Cole Trey
Suzanne & Bill Alexandra Ryder
Merry Christmas