A couple weeks ago, we hosted our Tabyanan family reunion at the TabyanInn. People from across the country braved the heat, but we all had a wonderful time.
As always, relatives from all across the country came to the annual reunion. We had people come from the East Coast, the West Coast, the South and even the Far North!
My dad and sister came from Arkansas. My Uncle Rocky brought his clan from St. Augustine, Florida. My Uncle Isi and Aunt Betty came from northern Minnesota. And then I had a gaggle of cousins and Aunt Elaine from Los Angeles, California.
We did some site-seeing, of course, taking people to the Oklahoma City Memorial and the Cowboy Hall of Fame (OK, the "National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum"–but everyone calls it the Cowboy Hall of Fame!)
We also took folks to see the Santa Monica Ferris Wheel, Bricktown and the Wheeler District. (The LA folks got a kick out of that!) We even went to the Stockyards and looked in the shops down there. Still, I think the place everyone like the most was the pool at Twin Hills!
But the biggest thing we did was eat! Whether it was breakfasts at the TabyanInn, BBQ at Back Door BBQ or breakfast at Big Truck Tacos, everyone enjoyed the tastes of Oklahoma City. We even had a big dinner at Charleston’s in Bricktown.
For the Big Meal, Uncles Isi and Rocky made chicken and shrimp gumbo–by flashlight! I think that was a first… Still, it turned out great and everyone enjoyed the food and company.
One of the things we did differently this year was rent houses instead of getting hotel rooms. That worked out great–cheaper, and everyone felt more relaxed and at home. My dad was about a mile away, but the others got both sides of a duplex just on the other side of the park by our house. That was fantastic–and definitely the way to go.
Speaking of houses, we lost an electrical circuit in the kitchen Sunday morning–right as we were making sweet cream waffles for everyone! That circuit included the fridge, the sink side of the kitchen, part of the breakfast nook and even part of the guest room. Traci rolled like a champ and finished making waffles, though.
Luckily, the AC and the stove stayed on, so we were able to keep going in the house, and even make the gumbos that night. Unfortunately, we lost the lighting over the stove, and needed to hold flashlights over the pots while the Uncles made their magic on the stove. It still turned out great!
Even though we had our technical challenges, I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Of course, we did not have enough time to do everything that folks wanted to do–which is good… that will bring them back to OKC.
Next year we are looking to do the reunion in St. Augustine, Florida–and all of us can’t wait for that!
Marc
