Sisterhood of the Rogers Clan

Every year, the Rogers side of my family has a Cousin's Weekend Retreat at the home of my Aunt Juanita.  If you have ever been to Big Cedar Lodge on beautiful Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri then you know what beautiful country it is.  Well my Aunt lives a couple of miles past Big Cedar in a huge two-story house on the lake all by herself.  Oh my, I did not want to come home, hehe!

It was a very nice June weekend and most of our time was spent outside on her double deck.

I left Catoosa, OK Saturday morning and met my mom in Ozark, MO for a wonderful cashew chicken lunch.  I left my car at my sister's house and then we headed on down to Branson.  Aunt Juanita is so gracious to open her home up to all of us!

As you can see, it is a fabulous time of laughing, eating, laughing, eating, and on and on.  I wish I had thought to get pictures of all the food.  Oh my!  We could have fed an army for weeks, lol!  The food was on the table, crammed in the fridge, covered the counters completely and we even had bags on the floor.  WAY too much.  But that's what we Rogers gals like to do... eat and laugh.  =]

I have to share these two picture because I love my family and I'm proud of my heritage!  My Aunt Juanita, our fantastic hostess, is on the left in the lime green shirt.  Then on the couch is Great-Aunt Vivian, Connie my mom, Great-Aunt Pauline, and Great-Aunt Susie.  Although they are my "great" relatives, we drop the great and just call them aunt (and uncle).  My grandma Blanche Anna was the oldest of 11 children.  Every year we have a huge family reunion of the Rogers clan in September.  It is so awesome because we are all so close and get along so well.  Good times, always!

Normally for these weekend retreats, it is girls only because we have a big slumber party.  There are plenty of beds in Aunt Juanita's huge home!  But sometimes, the men come down for a few hours during the day.  I love my Uncle Glen and Aunt Vivian.  They are the sweetest, cutest couple.

Breakfast Sunday morning on the deck was my absolute favorite part of the weekend... well besides spending time with all my aunts, sisters, and cousins.

Fresh fruit, homemade bread, and cinnamon rolls, beautiful view and weather, wonderful company... I mean really, can it get much better than this?

We had a most wonderful time together without the interruption of phones, kids, husbands, and just everyday life.  I missed my family and was ready to get back home but this weekend was much needed and will always live in my heart.

The Rogers family is faith based and has a strong love for His Word.  I'm grateful for the family that God has put me in and the heritage that goes along with it.  I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such a huge family that loves each other and gets along so well.  

I'll leave you with the Rogers family Bible verse (yes, we have a family verse) that we use to maintain the principles of our ancestors.  "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

~Micah 6:8