This family reunion is one of the largest in the country. It's been going on for 105 years. The first one was held on the 50th wedding anniversary of the family scion and his bride.
He's known as "the Captain" and they together go by their family nicknames "Shep and Nep". My father-in-law was the fourth generation to bear his name--and GG's nephew is the sixth.
Shep and Nep had nine children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. Each of them had a ton of kids. Grumpy Guy is one of six children....you get the size and scope of this annual reunion. this year's reunion was smaller than others--only about 200 people. Yes, that's not a typo, 200 family members.
So, off we went to hook up with cousins, and cousins, and more cousins.
On the way, we passed many cotton fields. You know how that makes my heart happy!
At the reunion, the kids got to meet cousins
and see an uncle and an aunt!
After the reunion, we went to the graves of the Captain and Penelope, and then to another cemetery to the graves of her parents, Abner and Rebecca.
Here's Grumpy Guy with at the grave of his great great grandfather, the Captain. GG is a Knight Templar, a member of the Commandery, just like his ancestor.
The kids thought it was cool to be photographed with the monuments to their great great great great grandparents, Abner Tyson and Rebecca Ann Dillard Tyson, who lived almost 200 years ago.
And GG thought it was nice knowing that Abner was the Worshipful Master of his Masonic Lodge, as he will be in the next few years.
And, as I just can't resist a planting of cotton, some pics from the field next to the Tyson's resting place...
Yes, non-Southern friends, this is a cotton plant. 
This is a cotton blossom. They start out white, and change to pink after a few days.
A cotton boll just beginning to open.
And all ready for picking!
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