Sunday, August 10, 2014

Pricey Food And Priceless People- Guting Reunion Part 3

One warm evening, we all gathered for the expensive dinner at the Main Street Station- all-you-can-eat seafood buffet.  And no, they don't charge less for children.  So, we let our kids know that this was going to be a BIG deal- not just for the really expensive food- but really for the chance to spend some time with relatives that they have never met (and I've only met once), and may never see again except at that dinner, specifically my grandma Linda (aka Patricia Naparan Guting), and my Uncle Kaiama Ng, and his son, Joshua.
So, we parked at the hotel that mom, Tom, and April's family were staying at, and walked down the street together to the buffet.

I liked this shirt.  Can you tell who's wearing it?
Did you guess this dashing young man?
If you said Joe Lauret, you win.

So, we went to the buffet and had to stand around waiting until they could find a space large enough to fit our entire group of 19- April's family, my family, Joe, my mom and Tom, Aunty Raz and Uncle Ray, Kainoa, Uncle Joe, Lani (my cousin), Uncle Kaiama, Josh, Grandma Linda, and Aunty Leo.
So, we waited and took some silly face pictures.
Then, we got to eat!
Amara even tried her first clam!
And Steve ate crab legs and only crab legs. 
He was going to get his money worth, and I'd say he did it!
Before Josh and Uncle Kaiama had to leave us to go back to work, I made sure that we got in some pictures. 
Left to R: Joe, Josh, Lani, Lani, April, Spencer.  Backrow: Kainoa.  Background Photobomber: Steve

COUSINS!

Aunty Raz, Uncle Ray (making the "shaka" sign), and Uncle Kaiama.
How many people can you fit in a "selfie" with Uncle Kaiama?
Then it was time for a pic of my mom with her siblings.  The only one missing is Aunty Nani Ng. 

My mom (Roberta Mapother), Uncle Kaiama Ng, Uncle Joe (Vince Guting), and Aunty Raz (Razalin Wright)
Then, as you can usually expect when getting together with my mom's family...
Things got a little...
CRAZY!
Those 2 fingers smearing chocolate on my mom's face belong to Uncle Kaiama.  He got her good.
Who knows the last time I saw Uncle Raymond?  Gotta love him!  Selfie time with Uncle Ray-

And, finally a selfie with my dear hubby.  My heart is happy.  I have so many people that I LOVE and I'm so blessed that I got to spend some time with them.
When dinner was done, everyone went their separate ways.  I was so disappointed that I never got a picture with my grandma Linda.  She was off to "try her luck" as they say- gamballing.  I was bummed that I never got to really talk to her- I didn't get to hear any of her stories.  At least I was able to say "hi" and "bye" and even squeezed in a hug and introduced her to my children.  Hopefully we will have a chance to get together under less busy times and I can really talk to her.  I'd like to get to know her better.

We were beat.  Vegas never sleeps, and that makes for some really tired people.  Poor pregnant April's feet were swelling up.  So, we went to bed- it would be a long drive home the next day.


1 comment:

Amanda Lauret said...

I am so happy that you posted all these pictures from the reunion. I really wish we could have been there. So many people I have never met! Hopefully someday! Looks like you guys had a wonderful time at your seafood dinner! Wow! I'd say Steve did a good job of getting his money's worth! :)