Some of you might not know that the main reason we headed to Minnesota this summer was to attend the Kesti family reunion. Keith is the oldest of ten children, all of whom are happily married and living in various parts of the world. I say world since his brother Daniel resides in Sweden with his darling wife and family. And, yes. They traveled all the way from Sweden to join us. So much fun!
I have just finished editing photos from the reunion, but I thought I would share some behind the scenes, first.
Each sibling volunteered to "handle" a part of the reunion planning. The three sisters pretty much took card of planning all the food; the brothers worked on entertainment, games, etc. Keith and I took on the task of the all important family reunion t-shirt.
So, we thought and thought...and very much involved two of our graphically talented children: Tristam and Clara. Tristam (the oldest grandson, btw) insisted that the shirt be something that a young adult would like, and Clara agreed.
The Kesti family is currently holding strong at: Ken and Edna (celebrating 50 years of courtship and marriage), ten adult children, and eighty-four grands. Yep, eight four. Amazing. We visualized a personalized shirt, but couldn't wrap our brains around printing 96 names on a shirt...hmmmm.
This is what we came up with:
We are so thrilled with how it turned out. Ken and Edna are quite appropriately at the top of the chart, next is the oldest son and wife (Keith and Kim), then each sibling and spouse appears. The grandkids are next in birth order -all the way down to Miles, the newest grandson.
Everyone had a blast trying to identify each letter, and every kid knew exactly where he or she appeared on the chart. It was quite the challenge to name every granchild, in order. Oy!
So, pretty cool, right?
Be back with more reunion photos tomorrow!
Later.
This is so delightfully awesome, Kim! I thought my grandparents had a plethora of grandkids--50! Holy smokes.
Posted by: Holly | July 23, 2012 at 12:55 PM
That is an amazing t-shirt and I love how you put everyone on the shirt! I might 'borrow' this idea for my husband's family. Each year we get together on Labor Day weekend to celebrate his parent's anniversary (this year is 65 years) and there are 9 children, 34 grandchildren and almost 16 great-grandchildren. It would make quite a chart!
Posted by: sue | July 23, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Oh amazing, clean and graphical design with a wonder story behind! I am an only child always wanting some brothers and sisters lol Thanks for sharing Kim!
Posted by: Nina Yang | July 23, 2012 at 02:48 PM
Cool!
And I love that "KE" is also the beginning of "Kesti". Bonus!
Posted by: Tifany DeGough | July 23, 2012 at 02:58 PM
Kim it's AMAZING! Not just the t-shirt, but the story it tells! Marriage and children and generations! I just love it!!
Our eye chart tee would only be three lines big - my parents married 48 years, two kids, and each of us two kids. We're a sweet petite clan, compared to the monster Kesti clan! But the stories are the same...FAMILY ROCKS!
Posted by: Susan K. | July 23, 2012 at 03:26 PM
I kinda like how we're right in the middle ;)
Posted by: Jessica | July 23, 2012 at 05:00 PM
What a darling idea!
Posted by: Anita | July 23, 2012 at 09:13 PM
GREAT times 96! This shirt is perfect, love this Reunion idea :)
Posted by: Helen F. | July 24, 2012 at 07:57 PM
What a great t-shirt.This t-shirt is one I would save!
Posted by: Elaine Lisle | July 25, 2012 at 06:41 AM