A favorite family tradition for the Polk~Piland clan is the annual July lobster-gorging feast.  Dad and Carol began this gathering many years ago – more than I care to count:)  Many new little faces have been added since the first gathering years ago.  Dad and Carol are now great-grandparents, and a few of my generation have become grandparents as well.  We come from as far away as St. Thomas in the Virgins, although this year we missed our distant-wandering family:( they promise to come next time:)

 The ancient picture above shows a teenage Tres, Joey, and Carly (now parents themselves); and a few pre-teens like Matt, Sara, Amanda, and Kimberly.  So much fun to see how we looked as a young family (of course I haven’t changed much:)  Just outside of Beaumont is a country restaurant/dance hall that hosts our every growing group.  There is a dance floor for the kids to ride their pint-sized four-wheelers; and a huge dining table for the adults to enjoy catching up on the latest family gossip.  This year we are kicking around the idea of heading for St. Thomas for a family reunion, or maybe someplace closer to home?  Either way, I can’t wait!