Family Reunion

Speer Family Reunion

2006

September 3rd, 2006, the Speer clan gathered together once again. Throughout the year, we get to see one family here and another family there, but it's always nice to have everybody home for a couple of days! This first picture was made on the "front porch swing" at Daddy and Mama's house in Marietta, SC. For some reason we waited until the end of the day - after the cookout, the meal, the games, the four-wheeling - to take everyone's picture, so we all look a little worn out! Anyway just so you'll know, I'll list us left to right: (top row) Leah Tripp, Mary Terry, Becky Bourdess, Mama (Shirley Speer), Daddy (John Wesley Speer), (bottom row) Joseph Speer, Jonathan Speer, and Mark Speer.

This was a nice shot of the two that started it all - Daddy and Mama. They just celebrated their 38th anniversary together in August. Who would have thought a young couple making promises in lowstate Georgia would end up in upstate SC with a mob of 22 people. We're glad this is the place we can call "home," and thankful that our parents are still around to enjoy the heritage that they began.

And then there's the Boys - Mark, Joseph and Jonathan. We told them to give us a striking pose, maybe pioneers or something --- and, well --- this is what we got! Aren't you glad they were not our founding fathers? We would be in trouble for sure! Anyway, Mark (the smart looking one - ha!ha!) recently moved to St. Augustine, FL where he is a Senior Electrical Engineer (I'm not sure what his official title is) for Johnson and Johnson. He oversees diferent projects and really seems to enjoy what he does! Joseph serves in the Air force Reserves, holds a full-time job at Bostic (making glue), and is studying business at Greenville Tech. Jonathan works at Quickdraw Detailing, Inc. in Greenville, SC. He is enjoying learning this new job (the past year) doing structural steel design and is catching on quickly! We are proud of them, but no matter how intelligent or successful they are, they will always be the boys no matter how old they get!

And then the Girls - Becky, Mary, and Leah. We are all three full-time stay at homes wives and mothers. Becky stays busy taking care of David (oh yeah - I mean Matthew!!). They recently moved to Greer, SC from Travelers Rest, SC and Becky has really made a beautiful home for them there! They are a little farther away but at least still in the same area. Leah lives in Denton, NC (it's okay - we don't know where that is either). She fills her day homeschooling Hannah (1st grade) and taking care of the rest of her clan. What a job!

These are the sane and good-looking ones in the family, the ones we grafted in - the In-Laws. They're the ones that spend their days trying to keep the Speer clan straightened out! They are: (top) Daniel Tripp, David Bourdess, Brian Terry, (bottom) Melissa Speer, and Heather Speer. I'll fill you in on them next time when I get all the details. We love them and it wouldn't be a real family renion without them!

This next one - as you may have guessed is the next generation of the Speer family (although none of them carry the name!) They are (from left to right): Abigail Tripp (3), Matthew Bourdess (2), Hannah Tripp (5), Seth Terry (18 months), McKaylah Terry (6), Emmaline Terry (3), Jada Tripp (3 months), Joshua Tripp (2), and Luke Terry (4). David and Becky have one - Matthew, Daniel and Leah have four, and then our four. That makes nine grandchildren 6 and under - what a crew. Since they are all around the same age, they play great together and keep each other busy!