Texas-Sized Fun

The last 5 days have been a whirlwind of jam-packed fun, late nights, good talks, lots of laughs and lots of hugs. My sisters Brenda and Kris, brother-in-law Gary, 17-year-old nephew Jason and 15-year-old niece Brittney braved the 24-ish hour drive all the way from Texas last Wednesday and stayed with us till today (Sunday). (P.S. Devin and Rachel, we sure missed you!!) I don't know what it is about them - even though we only see each other every few years, when we get together it's like no time has passed at all. Their laughter is infectious, they are a blast to be around and make everyone feel so comfortable and loved, and we have talks and moments that make me wish I could have them here all the time. It seriously is non-stop fun. The girls had constant entertainment from Jason and Brittney and were pretty much attached to them - lots of hide-and-seek, wrestling, dart shooting, etc. etc. We tried to pack in everything we could during our time together - searching for a cherry orchard (and getting yummy apricots instead), launching water bottle rockets, doing a few fireworks, having several Wii bowling marathons, early birthday present shopping for the girls, and lots and lots of visiting. We were hardly home much - we ate out a LOT, visited Grandma Johnson, visited at Dad's house, went to the Jacobson reunion at the park, and went to my Uncle Cardell's house for a Jake/Austin reunion. (P.S. I think Cardell and Rosanne live in heaven. Their house is at the mouth of Provo Canyon, and it's in a secluded, tucked-away community of only a couple dozen cottages. In the center is a beautiful pond and a tree-lined grassy area with a big fireplace. It's just so peaceful. I love it every time I go there). Anyway, we tried to pack in the fun. When we returned at night, although everyone was exhausted, we just couldn't stop talking and hugging - we laughed, we cried, we played, we bonded.... When everyone drove off this morning, Kiera and Makenna broke down and just sobbed. Our house seemed empty and eerily quiet. Come back, y'all!




Dad's "Den of Antiquities"

"Driving" in my Dad's 1962 MGA