The Gsmiths Gathering

The Goldsmiths descended upon West Des Moines for the Annual Reunion/Golf Tourney this past weekend. I say descended - not because we live in HE double toothpicks (that's what we used to call hell when I was a child). But because they all seem to live north of us. Paul's seven siblings and along with spouses are a hardy bunch!

Goldsmith girls watch the Cubs win!

Gmiths on the deck

We used to get together over the weekend after Thanksgiving - kids in tow, to celebrate Christmas. Once our families "grew up" (we all know they're still our babies) and weren't often able to attend, we decided a summer date would be better. So seven or eight years ago we made early August the official fam gathering - including golf for some and shopping for others.

Some arrived Thursday evening and we attending the Iowa Cubs game. It was nice to have big sis Carol there. She missed the rest of the festivities due to a trip to Rome with family members. Yep - she picked Rome over us!

The gang began to arrive on Friday afternoon. Our little deck was overflowing with Gsmiths! We ordered pizza and ate snacks that everyone brought along.

This year golf was pretty casual - there was no passing on of the Goldsmith Green Jacket, nor trophy - as there were only six players. They had fun with playing a two team best shot at Walnut Creek, a public course south of here.

The rest of us headed down to - you guessed it, the DSM Farmer's Market. It was a gorgeous day so the place (a several block area) was packed. There were eight of us and we split into a couple groups. I took Dorie and John for a staple breakfast burrito.

smiling even before they get their burrito

I trotted them over the walking bridge on the way back to the car

You know me and selfies. Challenge accepted!

After an hour at the FM, we drove a few blocks west to the West End Architectural Salvage - a business made famous by HGTV, now on the DIY network. There are 4 floors of light fixtures, furniture, odds and ends. Kelli, Regina and I made it to the top! I must say it had been a couple years since I'd been to the store and it will much better organized now.

We met the golfers for lunch at Draught House 50 and were seated in a great party room. Perfect! Saturday evening we grilled burgers and brats at our place and Larry and Regina's son Karl with wife Lee attended. They live in Grimes and Lee is a fellow DNR employee while Karl teaches at Valley High School. Our home was filled both nights with talk and laughter. That's what family is about!