So I took a blogging break to make some summer memories with the ones I love.
A mama is happy when all of her children are in one place! It doesn't happen often, but when it does there are memory-making moments to be had.
Such was the case last week when Ryan, Sarah, Eve, Nora, Peter, and Baby Paul rolled into our town on a summer's night. What a joy to see their faces! What a joy to spend the next several days going here and there, doing ordinary things and special things, relishing our time together!
Kristin, Brian, Gavin, Maddie, Owen, Benjamin, and Alaine, as well as my mom (my dad was under the weather) and my sister Linda, joined us on Saturday and, of course, we made it a party! We feasted on Maryland crab dip, steamed shrimp, grilled chicken, salad, watermelon...and homemade orange creamsicle ice cream for dessert.
Kristin, Brian, Gavin, Maddie, Owen, Benjamin, and Alaine, as well as my mom (my dad was under the weather) and my sister Linda, joined us on Saturday and, of course, we made it a party! We feasted on Maryland crab dip, steamed shrimp, grilled chicken, salad, watermelon...and homemade orange creamsicle ice cream for dessert.
Our four children...
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| Kristin, Ryan, Kati, and Bekah |
...and our nine (so far) grandchildren.
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| Back row: Owen (8), Eve (7), Nora (6) Seated: Gavin (12) holding Alaine (4), Maddie (10) holding Paul (7 months), Ben (6), and Peter (4) |
Some peeks at the moments that graced our days...
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| Aunt Linda gets kisses from Lucy :) |
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| Gammy and Paul |
Because it was a rainy day, the ice cream operation was moved to the screened-in porch. It became the place to be, all of the children wanting to watch and all taking a turn with the churning. I hear that there was some competition to see who could crank the fastest!
Success!!
(Ryan suggested the orange creamsicle flavor, and we will definitely make it again! Yum!)
(Ryan suggested the orange creamsicle flavor, and we will definitely make it again! Yum!)
Before they left on Sunday afternoon, we took a family photo. Aren't they a beautiful family? (Yes, I am biased.) (But they really are!)
Then it was time for good-byes.
But this time the three older children were saying good-bye to their parents (and Paul) for a few days, because this time --for the first time-- they were able to stay over with Papa and Gran!
Memory-Making Moments {Part 2}
Oh Cheryl, I just love seeing your family all together! There is nothing better than when the whole family gets together. I can't wait to hear what you did with all those little sweeties.
ReplyDeleteYour menu is just perfect for this time of year! Yum-O!
The cups with names reminds me of my grandson, Alex. He always puts the names on the cups.
Happy Independence Day! ♥
You have the most beautiful family! I know your heart is just bursting at being able to have these happy times with the WHOLE family!
ReplyDeleteLove to all!
Deanna
What a joy it must have been to have the whole family together! Your photos are so sweet and I have to chuckle...just like in my family pics...you will rarely see me! The photographer rarely makes it into them, do we??? Actually, that is just fine with me :) I hope you have a wonderful July 4th weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you had the presence of mind to take pictures! I don't have to tell you to enjoy the minutes/hours/days.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful memories you shared and made.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely holiday weekend ~ FlowerLady
Wonderful memories made indeed!!! Homemade ice-cream - the best! Love the pancake design too. Happy 4th to you all ...
ReplyDeleteOh a surprise ending! How cool is that?! Looks as if lots of fun memories were made and continue to be made...
ReplyDeleteoh how I understand the joy of getting ALL of your family together for a visit...it IS a rare and treasured event. We are supposed to get ours next Sat. if nothing goes wrong, and I am soo looking forward to it. Yours looks about perfect to me....and now more time with those 3 older ones? It just keeps getting better....looking forward to hearing all about it...i KNOW you enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteOH! Cheryl, this brought back so many memories for me, we used to mark the drinking cups, too! and for so many years when the children came the grandchildren would stay and visit for weeks during the summer, it was the highlight of our summers, Oh, how Dh and I miss this.
ReplyDeleteIndeed you have a beautiful family, keep making memories,as I have said before they will carry us int eh good times and the not so good times,. As always such a joy to visit with you.
Blessings,
Sue
How wonderful to have everyone together and then for the older ones to be able to stay on! That ice cream making looks like so much fun. Your houseful is quite a wonderful blessing!
ReplyDeleteAll I can think when I see these photos is joy and blessing! And how do you keep up with nine grandchildren ? I have trouble with three!
ReplyDeleteOh, those are very precious moments with extra special family!!! Love all of the photos!
ReplyDeleteI have been looking forward to this post ever since you told me they were coming to visit! {I'm not biased. They ARE a beautiful family!}
ReplyDeleteYou do indeed have a beautiful family, Cheryl! I loved how you take time for the special touches as with the pancakes! Memories....your family will never forget these special things you did for them.
ReplyDelete