by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team
Member since:
February 19, 2008

Gather Family Chat, Today @ 3:30PM ET. What Are Your Favorite Family Memories? Win 250 Gather Points™!

February 17, 2009 11:20 AM EST (Updated: February 17, 2009 11:21 AM EST)
views: 240 | comments: 167

Families have the greatest memories together – whether celebrating holidays, taking a trip or simply cooking a favorite meal for dinner. Do you have an experience that you’ll never forget? What made it so special?

Join us for a live chat today at 3:30pm ET to discuss your favorite family memories.

The chat will take place in this article’s comment field today from 3:30-4:00PM ET. This is an open forum for you to have fun talking about all of the good times you’ve had with your families! You'll need to refresh your browser to see new comments. One Gather member will be randomly selected to receive 250 Gather Points™!

Share more family tips and advice in the Family Essential. Click here to join today.>>

Note: The lucky Gather Points™ recipient will be announced at the end of this discussion in the comment thread so be sure to check back!

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Comments: 167

Jenn P. Feb 17, 2009, 11:23am EST
sounds fun :)
Jean E. Feb 17, 2009, 11:36am EST
will do my best to be there ~ but time being what it is for me, no promises ~ good luck to all who participate ~j
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 11:37am EST
Thanks. I will try to make it!
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 12:06pm EST
count me in
tonya brown Feb 17, 2009, 12:27pm EST
I'll try to make it.
Bridget ♥ Feb 17, 2009, 2:00pm EST
I will try to make it! I'm not sure how my day is going to be, don't know when I have to pick my mom up from the hospital!
Sounds great I will have to try and make it back here.
Karolyn Q. Feb 17, 2009, 2:10pm EST
I will try to make it.
Ashley M. Feb 17, 2009, 2:14pm EST
This will be great fun!
Dagmara H. Feb 17, 2009, 2:17pm EST
sounds great
Debby C. Feb 17, 2009, 2:18pm EST
woo hoo, I will try to remember to come back!!
Qpon Lady Feb 17, 2009, 2:23pm EST
Sounds good, will try to be here
Angel sent from God Secret Sisters Feb 17, 2009, 2:34pm EST
Sounds great !!!
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Feb 17, 2009, 2:41pm EST
sounds fun but i cant participate in chats.
Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Feb 17, 2009, 2:59pm EST
Just a half hour until one person can win this 250-bonus-points option for commenting!
Ava's Mom (formerly known as Robiyah) Feb 17, 2009, 3:02pm EST
Can I remember to come back?
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:21pm EST
I'm here but I can't stay too too long? Do you have to be at the whole chat to be eligible? Just curious....love the chats even without the points!
d d. Feb 17, 2009, 3:23pm EST
ready to join
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:26pm EST
Hi d d!
d d. Feb 17, 2009, 3:29pm EST
do we have to go to another web page for the chat?
☃ Aunt Shanny Feb 17, 2009, 3:29pm EST
Ooooh, a tough one today! I've so many good memories with my family I wouldn't know where to start.

They usually involve a lot of laughs. And most of them outsiders just don't "get".

Do you have an experience that you’ll never forget? Many. "shopping" for xmas trees every year, dad's big b**b sign, his oak toilet seat, our annual canoe trips on the Platte River, barbecues, doing shots, "threats" against my sister Shel, etc.

What made it so special? I can't even explain it. My family is so close, we just have a good time together. So good in fact, that every time we make plans to leave town, we never do it. We are too busy sitting around laughing and carrying on. The Wendts' house is THE place to be in Onekama.
David S. Feb 17, 2009, 3:30pm EST
Well, my favorite family memory is the memory of celebrating holidays together, my mother was always very detail oriented and careful to make every holiday perfect, it was really neat as a kid and has led me to want to do the same thing with my family now.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Feb 17, 2009, 3:31pm EST
Hello everyone
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:32pm EST
Our memories usually involved holidays too except being a sarcastic group we always remember when things went wrong so that we can continue to torment the person. But we do it the tormenting in a loving, family way....LOL
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:32pm EST
I just got here!
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:33pm EST
Hi Minipin!
Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team Feb 17, 2009, 3:33pm EST
Hi everyone! Glad to see you all here. The chat will take place in this comment thread.
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:33pm EST
My memories with my husband usually involve either our road trips or our silly kids
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:33pm EST
Theres the day my sister graduated my graduation....
d d. Feb 17, 2009, 3:34pm EST
We have so many great family moments and memories... I like it when we celebrate a family member's birthday and we re-live the birth moments and then everyone has to tell a story they remember about the person. the more stories the richer everyone becomes..as they get to know the birthday person better. I love how my children now love to participate and tell stories that they remember about my sisters or other relatives.
Mary G. Feb 17, 2009, 3:34pm EST
I know this the the noon hour, so hope you all don't get surprised by my answer.
I remember my mother and I cooking a turkey while drinking wine and we were completely smashed. The turkey that year ended up being over cooked and we sure didn't care.
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:34pm EST
Hi Stefanie...thanks for hosting the chat!
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:35pm EST
the day I found out my Bubby had passed away thats a major one I rmemeber I was walking from my volunteer job to my second job where I was getting paid.... needless to say that was one of the most saddest days I ever had and do not want to expewrince again
d d. Feb 17, 2009, 3:35pm EST
I also love vacations with no tv's.... my children have become best friends because of this... sometimes i tell my sisters that i could be in any hotel anywhere...as they are happy to hang with each other.
Crystal R. Feb 17, 2009, 3:36pm EST
Mary your memory is really funny.
tonya brown Feb 17, 2009, 3:36pm EST
hello everyone,am I in the right place?
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Feb 17, 2009, 3:36pm EST
A Lot of my family memories include arguments. For some reason my family never could seem to get along.

I remember one time after an argument where I was the chosen one to be pick on my my siblings and cousins that day. Lucky me, huh? Well, my mother could see it happening. So, she decided to take me and we went off to go see Grand Rapids. No, not the one in Michigan. But the little tourist town in Ohio. It was built along a dam. It has alot of historic buildings, train ride, little shops and much more. I can't remember if it was a special celebration that day. But that time away with just my mother and me was a rare one I will never forget. As having 5 sisters and two brothers finding any alone time is some what impossible to do with a parent.
Mary G. Feb 17, 2009, 3:37pm EST
My father came home from work and looked at the ceiling, as we had made the wine. Some of the juice ended up on the ceiling and sure miss that house, as it was sold and the people that bought it painted the ceiling.
d d. Feb 17, 2009, 3:37pm EST
my three sisters and i, have this unbelievable bond...we are each other's best friends. we do these road trips together that has us laughing for hours on end.
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:37pm EST
The day I got excepted to college and I really didn't expect to get accepted here I only applied because people were telling to and a family friend convinced me. I went in for an interview and I remember I started to cry in middle of it I was talking about something very emotional that was going on in my life and I was thinking I really should;d not have cried .... needless to say I get a phone call about a month later saying congrats you've been excepted I screamed ... The best decision I ever made and one of the most expensive ones to!
Crystal R. Feb 17, 2009, 3:38pm EST
My family was always in the car. My father is a truck driver so my mom would have to drive out to his job site for random stuff all the time. My brother and I always would annoy one another. We made a rule that the middle spot was a neutral zone and we could not cross over into the other person's zone. The neutral zone was a bad idea because whenever one of us had a body part there the other person would hit it.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Feb 17, 2009, 3:38pm EST
I will say that I have made it a mission to have a peaceful get together since I have had kids. I do not want them to grow up thinking and feeling as I had. I wish to see smiles and hear laughter.

The last outing I had with my family I even created a photo essay here on Gather awhile back. How I took the kids down to The Franklin Locks. Than had hubby meet us after work. The kids played and fished for hours. It was so peaceful and calming.
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:39pm EST
I gained a husband and lost my mom all in 24 hours and the memories are sad but I do remember how great it was that our families both came together to support my brother and I through all of it. And we all maintained our sense of humor because that is how we deal with things.
tonya brown Feb 17, 2009, 3:39pm EST
my greatest memories are of the holidays,thats about the only time besides funerals that our whole family got together.
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:39pm EST
Funny ones hmmmm I have to think about it the day my best friend got engaged or rather during her engagement she got a couple of prank gifts one that was really ....
tammie p. Feb 17, 2009, 3:39pm EST
ok this is a very hard topic for me. today is 1 week that my mom passed away.she held my family together. always doing specials things so we would have a world of memories
Mary G. Feb 17, 2009, 3:40pm EST
Minipin I'm glad you had time alone with your Mom.
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:40pm EST
Stefanie what about you any memories?
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:40pm EST
tammie sorry to hear that
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:41pm EST
My brother and I jokingly blame my husband because he told my mom at the wedding that he "loved her to death" He is always like "I didn't mean it like that!"
Cecilia Lyne Feb 17, 2009, 3:41pm EST
I am here a little late but here ;)
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:41pm EST
I'm very sorry Tammie...I know how rough it is
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Feb 17, 2009, 3:42pm EST
Thank you Mary G. I do relish the memory. Since , I now live 1200 miles away from her and the rest of my family.
Janet "Jax" B. Feb 17, 2009, 3:42pm EST
My family memories are usually vacations. You see, we always went camping for a week of vacation...I'd never even stepped foot in a hotel until my senior yr. of high school....

My parents would load us up with the tents and canoes and take off for the wilderness. Usually we did get one day of dad's 2 week vacation at an amusement park. That was the highlight of the trip. Mom and dad also had us tour different places (free of coarse)...like Kellogg's, Post, Gerber, UpJohns, etc...We'd have matching T-shirts on so our parents didn't lose us....and sometimes they'd have a t-shirt that matched ours also. I wasn't embarassed about it, because that was normal for vacation. I remember someone even asking my parents about where to get our Jolly Green Giant shirts one time while we were at Kellogg's. Kellogg's was great, because after the tour we not only got sundaes, but other free stuff as well.
Mary G. Feb 17, 2009, 3:42pm EST
I'm very sorry Tammie.
Ashley M. Feb 17, 2009, 3:42pm EST
One of my favorite memories encompasses a whole week. I grew up in Northeast Louisiana, and the Christmas I was thirteen a huge ice storm came over the land. The electricity was out in a large portion of the state, so it took a while to get everybody back on. Our house was literally one of the last to have power reinstated, and we lived without electricity for a solid week, right over the Christmas holiday (also a holiday from school). It was kind of a bummer that I got a stereo that year, and it needed eight big mambo batteries to play, but we had a lot of fun anyway.

We had a wood heater to stay warm with, and our stove was gas so food was fine. We spent a lot of time playing board games with our cousin Christy and her daughter who were spending the holidays with us. It was great fun in the end, and most memorable holiday pretty much ever. :)
Crystal R. Feb 17, 2009, 3:43pm EST
My brother and I were both athletic so I remember my mom managing practice and game schedules. We were always busy and I liked that. If my brother and I didn't have practice or a game, we would be outside helping one another with football or baseball/softball. It was nice to talk to one another and share tips to help each other out.
tonya brown Feb 17, 2009, 3:43pm EST
my sisters and stepbrothers and I used to take appetizers and toothpicks and make bug characters out of them.My stepmom hated it,but it kept us out of the kitchen for a while.
Janet "Jax" B. Feb 17, 2009, 3:43pm EST
I'm sorry about your loss Tammie.
tammie p. Feb 17, 2009, 3:43pm EST
thank you everyone. the memories really help tho
Crystal R. Feb 17, 2009, 3:44pm EST
Tammie I am sorry to hear bout your lose.
lilly @Reading Extravaganza Feb 17, 2009, 3:44pm EST
Hello everyone.
My best family memory would have to be a three-month- long cruise I took with my dad. He worked as an officer on a transatlantic ship and took me with him on one of his trips. It was one of the best times in my life. We went to the north and wets coeat of South America
d d. Feb 17, 2009, 3:44pm EST
on 4th of july, my sister hosts an annual pirate treasure hunt. we have to get into groups and figure out the clues. the teams are picked randomly. some of the clues are taped to rocks on the bottom of lake sebago (need a good swimmer and diver)..other's involve brain's. last year we had to create a team name and a song logo. we had plenty of laughs. of course there is a contest for best costume. and there is a booty prize at the end... I think last year my kids split 100.00 when they found the treasure chest... Hey, how did 2 athletic boys get on the same team?
Janet "Jax" B. Feb 17, 2009, 3:44pm EST
My parents use to sit their lawn chairs on the baseball dividing lines, because a lot of times my brother and I would be playing at the same time but on opposite fields.
Cecilia Lyne Feb 17, 2009, 3:45pm EST
One of my favorite memories was when we took a family vacation from Michigan to Missouri and drove. Right before we left my parents car broke down and they had to take it to the shop. So my father went to the car rental place and rented a small sporty mustang. My mom was mad. Me, my sister and our large dog rode in the tiny backseat with all of the luggage all of the way there.It was a very long but interesting trip.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Feb 17, 2009, 3:45pm EST
Tammie,
I am sorry for your loss.
tonya brown Feb 17, 2009, 3:45pm EST
family vacations were alot of fun too,most of the time.
Angel sent from God Secret Sisters Feb 17, 2009, 3:45pm EST
I remember my parents when all 7 of us kids would pile into our very old stationwagon(we were not that well off not on welfare) there were holes in the floor of the car that you can see the street pass you by when we drove. Our parents would bring our own popcorn and drinks and go off to the drive in and watch a movie, Now mind you there is no heat in the car so all of us are close together, (5 boys , Me and my babysister and my parents) It was fun even though it was cold we were together as a family which hardly ever happened unless we went to the drive in. lol Well on the way home since we all cuddled together we fell asleep . My parents tried to wake us up to go inside this one particle time and we refused to get out since we were already really warm. We didn't want to get out in the cold. So they let us all sleep in the car except my baby sister. lol I was the one who refused the most since it was nice warm and cosy ! Really the only time we all got along also. lol When we woke up in the morning we all piled out and went into the house. Some of us went back to bed.
Cecilia Lyne Feb 17, 2009, 3:45pm EST
we always went to the parade and the fireworks on the 4th of July
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:45pm EST
his happened a few weeks ago my mom was stuck somewhere out of state and had no phone me and my sis were beginning to panic as it was getting late and we still hadn't heard from her and I had to prepare a couple of things... Anyway we were calling up everyone we knew over there to help us it ended up being her phone had died for no reason and she was having problems charging it for some reason so finally a family friend who was there found her and got er on the phone for us after my sis lecturing her for a good few minutes and checking to see she was alright I made on off hand comment did you check to see the electricity is turned on the wiring where she was staying is really messed up so she thinks for a sec and says golds you're a genius I completely forgot to turn it on in here and guess what I was right and laughing that was and is one of the few times my mom has called me a genius that I could remember she has her nicknames for me but that was just so funny!
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Feb 17, 2009, 3:45pm EST
tonya brown,
that is being creative as a kid. I bet your bug appetizers were cute.
Crystal R. Feb 17, 2009, 3:46pm EST
I have always enjoyed sitting with my family and listening to their memories. I find it interesting to hear about the things my parents, uncles, grandparent, and cousins did when they were my age.
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:46pm EST
in order for the electricity to run you have to have the lights turned on ...
Cecilia Lyne Feb 17, 2009, 3:46pm EST
Also my mom and grandma would make use HUGE heart shaped cookies every valentines day. They used the lid from a large box of candy ;) Receiving those were always a highlight for all of the grand kids ~ which would be followed by a tummy ache. lol
d d. Feb 17, 2009, 3:47pm EST
Tammie, sending you hugs over the wire.... I miss my mom every day...and this year we celebrated her and my dads 20th memorial...they passed away on the same year 2 months apart. She must be smiling down at you.
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:47pm EST
Crystal same here
Janet "Jax" B. Feb 17, 2009, 3:47pm EST
My parents use to take us to the drive in....and in between movies, dad would get out the camp stove and make us popcorn. We never bought anything at the concession stands...I was in 6th grade before I ever went to an indoor sit down movie theater.
lilly @Reading Extravaganza Feb 17, 2009, 3:47pm EST
That was the first and only trip i took with my dad. I cherished it a lot since due to the nature of his work he was barely ever home and to be with him for three months without interruptions was atreat.
Cecilia Lyne Feb 17, 2009, 3:48pm EST
we also had a lot of game night and bowling events with the extended family
d d. Feb 17, 2009, 3:48pm EST
Jennifer, sorry about your loss also. It will be hard to celebrate your anniversary and then remember your mom's passing. My mom died 20 years ago the day before my birthday... I have to get through one day at a time...
Chris E. Feb 17, 2009, 3:48pm EST
I have so many but I would have to say the ones that are the most precious to me are the ones we made while living in Hawaii. Two of my children were born there. So of course those memories are special, their first Christmas, My husband and I exploring the islands before my children were born, sunsets at the beach, even things as little as waking up at 4:30 every morning to take him to the base so I could have the car for the day. Then of course there was the first time we jumped off the huge cliff at Waimea falls. So many memories and they are crisp in my mind as if it were yesterday.
tonya brown Feb 17, 2009, 3:48pm EST
Tammie,I'm so sorry to hear about your loss,but in time your memories will be so wonderful.You will be able to remember little things and cherish every moment you and your mom spent together.
Christine K. Feb 17, 2009, 3:49pm EST
Hi everyone! My favorite memories were when we would all pile into the station wagon and go for a ride, with no peticular destination!
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:49pm EST
Thanks for the chat all. I have to get back to work. Thanks for the memories!
Veronica Hosking Feb 17, 2009, 3:50pm EST
My daughter is doing a family project for school. She wrote her favorite family moment was going to Lake Havasu this summer with grandma and grandpa. We saw the London bridge and went swimming in the Lake.
Crystal R. Feb 17, 2009, 3:50pm EST
I'm from Appalachia and I swear there is just something different in the way we tell stories. I wish I was as good at it as my family. My dad is a quiet man but he has told me some of the funniest stories I have ever heard.
golds g. Feb 17, 2009, 3:51pm EST
I have some great sibling memories where we would spend Shabbos(Sabbath) Saturday afternoon after the meal playing monopoly for hours and hours usually by the time we were down to 2 properties the bargaining would begin I'll trade you the orange and an extra 100 for the green....
DiAnA D. Feb 17, 2009, 3:51pm EST
sitting around the dinner table
Donna T. Feb 17, 2009, 3:51pm EST
My favorite memories from childhood are the vacations. Mainly because I got to see new things and meet new people along the way.
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:51pm EST
Oh thanks d d. It is tough having the sad and happy moments so close together. We will be at 10 years at the end of this year. The good thing for us was that part of our ceremony was honoring our mothers and the last she saw was me and him all dressed up at the reception. That makes me feel a little better.
tonya brown Feb 17, 2009, 3:51pm EST
minipin,thank you,its not like anyone ever ate them anyway.
DiAnA D. Feb 17, 2009, 3:51pm EST
Christmas morning is also full of fond family memories
Janet "Jax" B. Feb 17, 2009, 3:51pm EST
I have to get back to work also....I do hope my kids have good memories of some of the trips we've taken.
Jennifer O. Feb 17, 2009, 3:51pm EST
Bye all!
Cecilia Lyne Feb 17, 2009, 3:51pm EST
My hubby enjoys family car rides ~ I HATE them the kids are just too much in the car. LOL
DiAnA D. Feb 17, 2009, 3:52pm EST
playing games such as Scrabble, Life, Monopoly
Crystal R. Feb 17, 2009, 3:52pm EST
Janet, my parents took us to the Drive-In when we were younger. I loved getting to take a friend and getting to play on the swings in between movies. I never went to a walk-in theater until the drive-in closed. There is a drive-in really close to my old college so I always enjoyed going with friends.
DiAnA D. Feb 17, 2009, 3:52pm EST
taking the kids trick or treating
Donna T. Feb 17, 2009, 3:52pm EST
One of my favorite memories as an adult is my honeymoon to Jamaica. I love trying new food, and the food there was great! Of course, spending alone time with my new husband was wonderful too.
DiAnA D. Feb 17, 2009, 3:52pm EST
seeing the kids perform in grade school productions