Family Reunion

We went to a family reunion this past weekend on my dad's side of the family.  It was good to see some relatives that we rarely see, but sad thinking of the ones that are gone.

 

 

 We met at a restaurant and then went over to a cousin's house and hung out for the afternoon.

 

Myles making a "beard" with his bread. :o)

Uncle Joey telling McKenzie a story.

 

 Macheus was fascinated with Uncle Joey's facial hair.

 

Family

 

Matthew looking "cool". :o)

 

My cousin Dana gave McKenzie and Daniel their first wedding present.

 

This was a really cool old family photo.  It was a huge group of people getting baptized in a lake.

 

First cousins

 

 My dad is the last living sibling out of nine.  This was one of his sister's homes. 

 

Monica and I wanted to take boards to paint something on.  We almost got in trouble for being around the old abandoned house. :o)

 

There is a picture of me and my sisters on this swing when we were young teenagers.

 

 

Mariah and Clayton

 

This was one of the many houses that my dad lived in while growing up.

 

And this was one of the MANY places he worked as a young guy.  He listed his jobs one time and it was unbelievable how many jobs he has done.

 

My dad with Matthew.  He was showing him a field that he used to play baseball on.

 

"Love your family. Spend time, be kind & serve one another. Make no room for regrets. Tomorrow is not promised & today is short."  ~Author Unknown

Busy days

It's 2:30 in the afternoon, on a weekday.  Usually this is a really noisy and busy time of day. Today is is unusually quiet......... for the moment anyway.

Today.......

Mariah is finishing her standardized testing.  I am killing time because I don't want to buzz around the house and distract her. 

Marc and Matthew are tearing down and redoing our front porch.  It started out as just putting up new handrails and stairs but has turned into a bigger project when he realized some of the big supporting posts were rotted.  I had to shut the front door because they have the Braves game blaring on the radio. :o)

(Weather beaten steps)

Malachi and Myles are playing outside together.  They play great together and fight hard all at the same time.  Right now........... it seems all is peaceful with them.

McKenzie and Madeline are spending the afternoon shopping together.  I love that they enjoy each other.

Macheus had a late lunch and bath and is busy playing in his playroom.  Right now he is quiet enough that I don't think he is distracting Mariah.  That could change at any moment.

Grandpa (my dad) is listening to his radio program.  It occupies a lot of his day.  Mariah spent lunchtime with him playing a game of checkers.

Earlier today we had a couple of construction guys here doing a granite repair in the kitchen.  Glad that is done.  I hate having repairmen in my house.

When testing is complete for the day I plan on making a couple of phone calls for wedding planning and then I have a bin of clothes that I need to go through.  Clothing takes up such a large part of my life!  Going through to see what fits who, sorting through seasons, what to keep, what to pass on to someone else, daily laundry.  It is never ending.

I have so many projects that I want to do.  My video camera has been missing since September.  I have a large walk-in closet in my bedroom that I need to go through and see if it is in there.  That is my last hope.  If it's not in there I am buying another one.  I have birthday pictures of Madeline and Mariah that I need to print and put in pages in their albums.  I need to start planning my school year for next year.  My "to do" list is always a mile long!

Well, her time is almost up so I guess I better get busy!  I actually enjoy testing because it forces me to be still and quiet for a little while!  One more day and we will be finished, and I can get it in the mail.  That will be one thing crossed off my "to do" list!

Easter Pt 2

Another Easter has come and gone.  I love Easter, springtime, warm weather, light airy clothing, flip-flops, cold food and spending time outside.  This is by far, my favorite time of the year!

 

We took "just a few" pictures!  When you have daughters that are picking up the camera and snapping just as many as you do, you end up with hundreds of pictures! 

 

Many years ago we switched doing Easter baskets from Sunday morning to Saturday.  I don't think there is anything wrong with doing fun things with your kids on holidays, but we wanted the focus of Easter morning to be on the Resurrection.

This year as I filled this little pink basket, I couldn't help but be a little sad knowing it would be my last time.  I have filled it for the past twenty years!  I remember when it held McKenzie's baby socks!

 

                                                            Seven

Knowing how fast they grow up, makes me slow down and soak up these little moments.

He was much more interested in the grass!

 

    Myles - always in some sort of dress-up clothes..... even early on Saturday morning.

 

                                      Malachi- always smiling.

                                                         Mariah

                                                             Madeline

 

McKenzie

 

Matthew didn't get his basket until Saturday night.  He had already left for work when they were getting their baskets.  Growing up is hard on the parents. :o)

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                                              Easter morning-  wet head.

                                                   Sweet little fellows.

 

My handsome man. :o)

Mariah and her "mini me".  He reminds me so much of her when she was a baby!

 

My girls.

 

Madeline

 
McKenzie-  She sure loves her little brothers. :o)

                                                The guys.

 

Playing in the grass after church.

Grandpa with Macheus.  I know these pictures will be a treasure one day.

                              A very sleepy Myles after church.

 

All the kids with grandpa. We have Easter pictures of my kids with my parents in their front yard every single year up until my mom died.

                               I sure love these seven people!

 

                                  My biggest and littlest boys.

                         I think I lost them by this point.

 

McKenzie and Daniel.

 My mom always made a bunny cake for the kids.  I started last year keeping with the tradition, only I let them do ALL of the decorating. :o)  It was quite lovely but they were pleased!

Well, that was just a few of our pictures! :o)