On July 8, 2000 63 family members and friends came together to celebrate the 12^th Annual Skinner/McQueen Family Reunion.

The weather was mild in the mid eighties, those attending from other states such as Arizona and Iowa complained of the chilly air as the day ended. We all came together to get caught up on each other’s lives and reminisce the past. All (6) children of Bill and Leona Skinner were together for this wonderful reunion. There are now 3 siblings retired, Kenneth, Gene and Frieda, Frieda lives in La Grande Oregon with her husband Chuck, Kenneth his wife Sharon, Gene and his wife AJ live in Sun City West Arizona. They are doing their best to enjoy the good life of retirement.

There were two babies this year, the start of another generation for the family tree. Lexi Skinner daughter of Kenny and Lisa Skinner 11 months old, Tyler Killian son of Patrick and Stephanie Killian 1 year old. It was so much fun to have babies again, all the adults had a lot of fun watching the little ones play.

There were also two pregnant women, Kristi Allen daughter of Robert and Mary Skinner her baby is due at the end of November 2000 and Nadene Graham daughter of Tom and Margurite Tibben, her baby is due in January 2001. And the FAMILY TREE just keeps growing.

The meal for the day consisted of bar-b-qued tri-tip and chicken and a large assortment of salads, desserts, watermelon and pineapple straight from Hawaii. And as usual we all just kept eating and eating and eating. It was all so delicious.

After the meal Tom Tibben the game master kept all the kids and adults entertained. The games they played were; the water balloon toss, sack race, Simon says, Mother may I, Honey I Love You and Red Light Green Light. All the winners received ribbons and every kid received a toy. There also was a 40-inch soccer ball on the playing field keeping the kids very busy. And the men held their yearly horseshoe-throwing contest, but they never reveal the winners.

The family meeting was held and everyone got up and stated their name and gave us all an update on their lives since they last attended a family reunion. Then the photo’s began, Ken took individual family photo’s and then we all gathered together for the group photo. All of these will be put into the Reunion album for many generations to enjoy.

At the end of the day everyone converged on the Tibben household once again for more conversations and home made ice cream. With the evening winding down many people retired to their hotels for some swimming with the kids. Several adults stayed and continued their visiting until midnight. On Sunday morning breakfast was served, and then the goodbye hugs began, with a little tear and a pat on the back and so long for now until next year.