The Fox Family Reunion 2025

 Oh, friends, this summer was SO full... that September arriving and school starting (wedding notwithstanding) felt SO good.  I've said this before, and it is much to my chagrin, but I'm not a summer person.  With the exception of the Fourth of July festivities, summer is hard for me.  Lack of structure, decision overload, rapid switching of gears week to week,--- it all exhausts my brain.  I want to be a summer person, because summer people are fun!  Everyone wants to be friends with summer people!   And I think there is a lot of value in the different activities that only happen in the summer.  Alas, my desire for routine and productivity prevents me from fully embracing the carefree and fancy free life of summer.  Sigh.

One of those fun things is the annual Fox Family Reunion.  Its usually up in Spokane, and the schedule of events is pretty consistent from year to year.  

Seventeen years ago we took our young family to The Golden Spike National Historic Park.  It was fun for the little kids to see a big steam engine.  Abe thought it was an experience the younger children needed to have.  They were... how shall I say... not impressed.  First of all, this place was outdated 17 years ago and absolutely nothing had been done to update anything in the interim.  Also, the youngest kids of a large family know too much and are nowhere near as easily impressed as their older counterparts were.  And in fact, the thing they enjoyed the most was snickering at how slowly the park ranger spoke during her little presentation.  

And I must admit, it was pretty funny. 

Basically we were all grateful that we don't ever have to visit the Golden Spike again.  Spoiler alert:  the actually Golden Spike isn't even there.

Cute little Charlie's first National Park.

This was fun-- the last time we went Cannon was only a couple months old.  And this time Charlie was a couple months old.  

One of the fun things at National Parks is the kids can get a little Jr. Ranger packet to help them get more out the experience.  It has little games and questions the kids can answer.  When we got there Greta accepted the challenge.  She dutifully and diligently searched for the answers to all the questions.  And might I add, some of the answers were not easily found in the exhibits or the 30 year old film we sat through.  She worked hard to fill it out and then went up to the front desk to be awarded her Jr. Ranger pin.  (This wasn't her first rodeo).  You can imagine the disdain that the older kids felt when this woman began grilling Greta about her answers.  Like, did Greta really understand what she was learning.  Was she truly worthy of the title of "Jr. Ranger".  I mean, with such a title, comes serious responsibility.  Was the swearing in ceremony really necessary?  

Listen, Lady!  You are not a school teacher and it doesn't really matter.  Just give the child her pin and we'll get out of here.  

Do we wish we hadn't gone to the Golden Spike National Park?  Actually, we got so many laughs out of the experience that it was totally worth it.

This was a very cute moment with Mom Fox (her back to the camera) in heaven as she listened to and laughed with her seven sons.

A picture from the other end of the table with the two sisters added in.  I've never seen siblings who enjoy each other's company more than they do.

Peter Jesse with Uncle Jesse

George Russell with Uncle Russell

I didn't choose these sister-in-laws--- but I'm so glad Abe's brothers did!

The three Jolley Foxes

Charlie meets his great-grandma

Grandma Fox and her bearded boys

I'm surrounded by good women!

So exciting to arrive at Fox Hill and go in the big green doors

Visiting the grave of Dad Fox.  Trips to Spokane have never been the same.  We miss him.

It's nowhere near all the grandchildren, but a pretty good representation.

Baby Charlie meeting his great great Uncle Charles (aka Chuck)
.  

A major aspect of this reunion was celebrating Mom Fox's 80th birthday, and consequently, several activities were family history related.  After Pines Cemetery, we all trekked downtown to Riverside Cemetery.  There lied the infamous Iowa "door-step baby" and his wife Sarah.  When the Fox siblings learned that Sarah did not have a gravestone, they pooled their resources to purchase one and we dedicated her grave.

Then we all settled in for story time with Uncle Phil.  He has become quite the master family historian-- literally the man has dedicated countless hour over the past couple of years.  He did a really great job, telling the detailed story of the door step baby how the Fox family wound up in Spokane, Washington. 

Next up, time for Roller Valley!  Always a favorite!

Shout out to my dad, who regularly took his children to roller rinks while we were growing up.  I still quiet enjoy a good roller skate session.

Asher, George, and Brigham were the three Musketeers all week.  But hands down, my favorite moment was the three of them linking arms and skating around during "couples skate"!  Too funny

What delights these young women are. 

Couples Skate - Abe had them dedicate Endless Love to me ❤️ 

More Fox family fun in the next post