Scott Clark Riggens Family Reunion 2010

Every year, my dad’s side of the family has a big reunion.  We have family that comes from all over, and we spent three days catching up, laughing, eating, golfing, swimmming, back-seat-driving, and just plain ol’ having fun!

This year was our biggest reunion ever.  And believe it or not, this isn’t even our entire family!  We were missing one of my cousins and his family from Texas, a cousin who is in Ethiopia adopting two beautiful little girls, and a smattering of cousins who just couldn’t make it.  Even so, it was incredibly impressive to see such a turnout!

Here is my amazing, incredible family!

This is my closest family, the Riggens clan.

Did I mention our back-seat driver contest? My dad and uncle and their cousins set up a course in the back acres of my grandma’s yard, and we all pair up to drive a lawn mower, blind-folded, directed by the back-seat driver behind us!

Here I am with my partner, my dad’s cousin Mike. Who says blind men can’t drive? We did pretty dang awesome if I do say so myself! And so did my mom, running around the course, trying to work my big ol’ camera to get a few shots of us!

I love this shot of my Grandma Louise, watching all of her kin in the contest. She is my sunshine! (shout out to you Grandma, LOVE YOU!)

This shot cracks me up! This is my grandma, my aunt Linda, my cousin Ryan, and his daughter Kiera. Grandma was the driver, Ryan was supposed to be a quiet passenger, but they all 4 ended up shouting at each other and the lack of direction was hilarious!!!

Here I am, riding with my son, being pulled by my dad and my twin nephews, as we take the mower back to the barn. It’s a little blurry as it was getting dark fast, but my mom did a great job getting the shot!

Here is my final share for the night. This is my dad’s cousin, Jim Scott. He’s a chiropractor down in Mexico, Missouri, and has always been one of the most supportive and influential people in my life. He sat Saturday night, in his trademark hat, writing out the sermon for the reunion’s Sunday morning church service, and I couldn’t resist capturing this quiet moment. Jim was the first person last fall to say the word “diabetes” to me, after I had a scary dizzy spell at last year’s reunion. This year he helped a lingering pain in my right foot from an injury earlier in the summer. And he is always a huge emotional supporter, always there with a smile and a loving hug. Thank you, Jim, for being your amazing self. I love you!

I love all of you, Scotts, Riggens, and Clarks!.