I just don't know where the time goes. I'll do a post and think I will get back to it the next week and next thing I know it's been....well, longer than a week.
Today's post is just a fun post (well, for me) sharing the highlights of our day at Aunt Pat's and Uncle D's for our annual Memorial Day celebration.
The afternoon always ends with roasting marshmallows by the pond. Our kids are all getting better at it - at least we know longer have to help them. They now understand why we always say the burnt part is the best. Partly because it is really good and partly because it's too sticky to separate it from the other. James ended up letting me eat this one - mmm, mmm, good.
One of the joys of Memorial Day is not caring whether you're sweaty, muddy, sticky and anything else that you're usually too concerned about. There is very little makeup around. It's just a fun time to hang out with family you only see once a year.
Here is some explanation for the muddy part. To get to the paddle boat (have you ever seen anyone successfully ride a paddle boat alone?), you have to go through the mud. The more mud you get on your feet or any other part of your body seems to make the ride more enjoyable. Somehow, too, it seems there is often some kind of accident that forces someone overboard. It is a pretty wicked paddle boat, I guess.
It is such a beautiful place. There is the pond, the pond house, a sandbox, zip lines, places to play kickball/baseball and lots of space to just relax.
This is the first time in a long time, maybe ever, that everyone was there. My grandparents had 11 grandchildren. We are all here in all our glory. I have so many good memories with this gang. I guess that's part of the fun of our getting together, we always remember some story or two.
The 11 of us produced this crew. There always one that just refuses to participate or participate under duress. Nathan seems to always get the privilege of holding the one under duress. This year we had both, just off camera view is the shy one.
There's always something to play. Looking like they will have good memories of playing together, or at least memories.
Before the zip lines, etc, there were water things like sprinklers and baby pools. But, the all time favorite has to be the homemade slip n slide. Lots of black plastic, water and detergent.
Now, I know that someone is going to get hurt. This time it was a big bruise on James's hip. I have learned that they are just battle scars and add to memories.
In the great grandchildren generation, we have a pretty strung out age group. The oldest graduates next year and the baby is a baby. Grandmama and Granddaddy would be so proud.
Great picture of Tammy.
I am so thankful for the heritage I have from my Goshen family. God has blessed generations of our family with knowledge of Him.
