Sometimes Memories Don't Seem To Be Enough...

...but they have to be. I thoroughly enjoyed my family reunion over the weekend. I wasn't sure how the road trip would be with the girls, but it worked out well. I am so thankful that I didn't pass up the opportunity to be with my family. I don't know if it is the time of year, the gathering, or just my reflections, but I am missing Grandma so much right now--I always do, but I have really been having a hard time the past couple of weeks. People say that memories last a lifetime--true--but I wish that I could actually see those memories again. I wish that as a kid I was a little photojournalist, capturing the common things that seem so special now. I would love to see me at the table in my nightgown with Grandma eating a bowl of Kix before bed, her packing snacks and a jar of ice water for Brennen and me to go hiking in the pasture, feeding scraps to the cats, passing me Trident in church...., ordinary things that seem so extraordinary now. I am so grateful to have those memories though, and rather than memories fading, I think I remember more as time passes.

The weekend reunion was a good time for more fun memories to be made. I tried to take plenty of pictures. The time went too fast!




Uncle Kent and Norah playing Tic Tac Toe.







Matt, me, and Brennen on the observation deck.








And Matt scaring the pants off of me, sitting on the ledge of the observation deck. He wouldn't get down until I took this picture.










Uncle Tim, Norah and Mom. I wanted a picture of them with the watermelon that Uncle Tim gave to Norah. As I was trying to take the posed photo, some sort of sibling conflict took place and this is what I got---my mom's true colors.




And the posed photo with Norah eating watermelon.










Breaking the law on the paddle boats. They weren't aware of the no bumping rule--there's a good reason for the rule. Your boats may get stuck together--as shown here. Not to mention that someone could potentially be knocked off the back of the boat. You can't see their faces well in this small photo, but they were cracking up at their misfortune :)



Photo Op. David, Matt, Brennen and Elizabeth.








That's my first born being dangled off the back of the boat by her grandma -- barefoot. Breaking another law, or two. The sign did say no bare feet. We didn't read the rules until after the ride though, and nobody said anything about it.






Aunt Kim and Addie.







Poor Addie learned to sleep on the go.








On the way home, Norah learned what you do when you are surrounded by country, with no potty for miles and miles. She did quite well :)




I have more great pictures--too many to go on and on with. I am so thankful to have fun new memories--and pictures. What treasures these times are. I can't say enough about that.