The Grandparent Chronicles

W E   A R E    F A M I L Y   !!!      As you all know, it's almost Family Reunion time!   I thought it might be fun to reflect back on some Family Reunion memories in hopes that it might help you recall some fond memories that you have of Reunions Past.      The WADE FAMILY- has had some memorable reunions in the past. From the 1956 Bountiful, Utah reunion ( pictured above) to a sleepover reunion at a church in Bountiful with skits including J.C.Penny and the World's Greatest Spitter, to the Deer Creek reunion near Cedar City, Jacobs Lake Arizona, and St George in a motel.  I remember Gene's family puppets and Alan Wade's magic shows!      The JOHNSTUN FAMILY reunions are among my earliest recollections.  The last of which was held in August of 1970 at a campground in Monte Cristo, when I was on my mission and just a few weeks before Grandma McAllister passed away.      The Johnstun reunions were organized by Grandma McAllister when I was pretty young.  We ga

    S U S A N N A     J O H N S T U N    McA L L I S T E R      Not everyone has a claim to fame, but I do, I was born on my Grandma Mac's Birthday! From as early as I can remember, she and I enjoyed a special bond.      None of my posterity had the privilege of knowing this amazing lady so it's only appropriate that as Our birthday approaches that I take time to introduce her to you! Susanna Johnstun McAllister was born on July 6, 1902 in Oleo, New Mexico to Samuel James Johnstun and Elizabeth Emily Deans. She was the 5th child of 7. Samuel James Jr (died at 2 weeks old), Joseph William (Bill), Elizabeth Emily, David George, Susanna (our Grandma Mac), Jesse Robert ( Uncle Jesse was famous for saying " There are only 2 kinds of pie I like- Hot and Cold!) and Ellen Jane.      Susanna was still 3 years old when her parents took up a homestead at Twin Springs, in the Zuni Mountains of New Mexico.  Her dad said that " he bet uncle Sam 5 years of starvation agai