Harrington Hangout: 50th Anniversary

August 13th is a special date in my family. My parents were married on August 13th. So were my dad's brother and his wife, as well as my dad's sister and her husband. It is my dad's sister and husband who celebrates 50 years today! A couple weeks ago, we all headed to Honey Creek State Park Resort in Iowa to help them celebrate their golden anniversary.

We got to stay in cottages equipped with full kitchens, dining area, and living room. With so many of us, we had 3 cottages for the weekend. Everyone arrived on Thursday and thus began the golden weekend.

There were many activities to do including a water park, beach, and nature walk. Friday morning, a few kids went on the nature walk while most of us headed to the water park. The water park included a little kiddie pool where my young niece could play. We hung out in the lazy river. Some of us played some basketball or tried the obstacle of walking across the water on lily-pad type things. And of course there was a fun twisting water slide! Everyone made their way to the water park at some point I think.

We all met back at the cottages for lunch. We chatted and told stories and laughed. The kids were all wanting to hit the beach so we cleaned up and off they went. The area had been getting so much rain that the beach was 95% under water. They had to put up a temporary border for swimmers in the lake as the normal border was much too deep. I opted to stay in the cottage as the morning had worn me out. I played card games with my sister, Lisa, and my mom. Then, we headed back to the water park to meet up with the beach goers.

For supper, we grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Then, of course, we roasted marshmallows for our traditional s'mores. We heard they would be shooting fireworks that night....an event that takes place only once every 5 years. Everyone, which included 16 adults and 11 children ages 2-15, piled in our vehicles and headed to the fireworks show. The kids got free glow sticks as we watched the display. Afterwards, we sat and waited for traffic to move so we could get back to the resort. Our family decided to make the best of it and did the Chinese fire drill, giving the cars behind us a good laugh. We had to explain to our kids what it was. At first, they weren't too sure about the idea, but once Seth and I got out and started running, all 3 of them joined us.

Saturday, some of the guys went golfing. My aunt, June, had some boxes from our childhood she wanted us to go through and look at. We talked my uncle Bob and honorary uncle Richard to take the kids to the water park. My mom, my aunt Lou, honorary aunt Joanne, and my aunt June sat and watched my sisters and I walk down memory lane. We found puzzles, old books, Mad Libs, and many things we used in the "store" we always pretended to run. We giggled about old celebrity crushes like Mario Lopez, and Toby Mac. And a note that I had written..."I'm in the restroom, come in!"

By the time we finished, it was time for lunch. The kids returned from the water park and we enjoyed another picnic. We discussed afternoon plans. The nature center opened up this afternoon. Some wanted to see what was there. Others wanted to go back to the water park and others to the beach. I headed to the beach. The younger kids enjoyed playing in the sand while the bigger kids swam out to the border. The golfers had returned in the meantime. As the day went on, some kids wanted to go to the water park. Others joined us at the beach. Adults came and went, more kids left to the water park. (Disclaimer: all kids were with at least one adult at all times...kids weren't running around all free and adultless!) Eventually, I decided I was done with the beach and headed to the water park, leaving Bob and a few of the older kids in the lake. As we arrived at the door of the water park, we met my dad, Lisa, and her husband Andy on their way out. I decided to join them on a trip to town.

We arrived back at the resort ready for the anniversary party. We picked up the pizza while in town and bought ice cream. We ate and talked about the fun we had. The honorary couple, my uncle Ron and aunt June, opened gifts and cards. Then, as tradition has it, my sisters and I sang a song. This year, we parodied Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Lisa wrote the lyrics and the rest of us gave our input on changes to make. Even my niece offered a quick line before she walked out the door. It was perfect. We ate cake and ice cream and told more stories. Ron's brother Richard and his wife Joanne had joined us for the weekend. The "secret" talent of the Cannons had come out: we play our teeth. First, my dad played The William Tell Overture. Then my sister, Amanda, and I played Dueling Banjos...er Teeth. Richard and Joanne were quite impressed.

Soon, the party had to end. Sunday morning, we all packed up our belongings and headed to a picnic area after we checked out of our cottages. We had a time of worship, singing hymns and other songs as well as reading from the Bible things that God had spoken to us recently. Then, we had our final meal together before we all headed back to our regularly scheduled summer.