Some experiences are just too incredible to put into words...so it is with our Anderson-Harris family reunion a couple of weeks ago in Breckenridge, Colorado.
The scenery and setting was breathtaking. The weather was divine and the company was great. All of my siblings, spouses and children were there. Three of Pat's four children and families were there (we missed the Days and Uncle Nate!). It was so fun to be together and just enjoy what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (hopefully there will be more!) The entire week I would just find myself stopping, breathing and trying to soak in the moments. We have lived so far away from family that to be together felt very special. I was clinging to every minute I could spend with those I love so much.
Some of the things to remember:
-Staying in Ogallala, Nebraska with the Evensens at a less than comfortable Comfort Inn!
-Being greeted upon arrival at the condo by Dad and Pat- love them so much!
-Going to church in Frisco- we were late and they had to open the overflow to accomodate all of us- it was quite an entry!
-riding the Gondola (numerous times!) and the smelly bus to Peak 8
-Eating dinner all together- poolside, room 222, the park or the day-use room
-Talking until way to0 late with my sisssies- eating all of Kate and Jaden's popcorn (sorry girlies!) and watching "Don" play billiards
-Getting pedicures with the gals
-Swimming, swimming and more swimming (even when Uncle Nick challenged Ashton to explore the foreign substance in the pool!) Also, Mel and Jeremy proved to be very talented in various pool stunts!
-Family group photos- somehow, we made it happen!
-Celebrating Dad and Pat's 60th birthdays
-Amazing group hike and seeing all the children wade out to Grandma Patsy who was waiting on an island in the middle of the lake
-Getting up close and personal with a moose
-Uncle Kyle's Indian story and ensuing treasure hunt- the story stayed with Jordan for the rest of the trip!
-Going "jogging" with Katy- if you could even call it that, I was seriously gasping for air at that elevation
-Serious crafting time and story time- pet rocks ROCK!
-The play production that featured costumes, memorized lines and a real tepee
-Talent show fun- Singing, interior decorating, reading, dancing, acting, gymnastics and push-ups- just to name a few!
-Riding the shuttle to the city park- all in matching shirts- we were that obnoxious family you always see on vacation and are so annoyed by
-Delicious breakfast at McDonald's (in Wal-mart, no less!) with the Andersons- it really was so yummy!
-Group Date to Kenosha's Steakhouse- Emily was a good sport and went "stag"...we loved having her. Grandpa and Grandma bravely took on tending 14 children by themselves in room 222- they did a smashing good job, too.
-Grandma's service project- we compiled humanitarian kits for other countries
All in all it was so much fun and so very memorable. Thanks Dad and Pat for making it all happen. After a week of adventure, Tod headed back to Iowa with Tricia and I drove onto Utah with my kiddos. The drive home featured being momentarily stranded near Green River in 103 degree heat while waiting for an accident to be cleared away. We made the best of it and Ashton learned the power of a positive attitude from Grandma Patsy. We then spent the next 2 weeks in Utah and had more adventures and more fun...but that's a post for another day!
1 comment:
It sounds amazing! I am so glad you guys got to go on such an amazing vacation! I know how much it meant to you to have Tod there!!!
We missed you and are glad to have you home, too!!! (0:
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