I haven't attended reunions of my parents' siblings in . . . I don't know how long. When the universe aligned and both families planned reunions for the same weekend, I booked a flight to Utah, a rental car, and a hotel room, and I was off.
Saturday morning was the Olsen reunion. Some of these people I hadn't seen in at least ten years. Their kids have grown, they've gotten grayer and wrinklier, they've moved from here to there, but the joy of families is that memories link you together forever. These people have known me and loved me every day of my life, and seeing them reminded me where I came from: Rook games with someone always playing the widow, hand-crocheted afghans and bedspreads, pink and white mints stored safely on top of the fridge in a cut-glass bowl with a spire, and grandparents who loved and cherished each of us for being "the most beautiful, the smartest, and the best."
I was so excited to talk to my cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings, nephews, nieces, and parents that I forgot to pull out my camera until everyone was leaving and someone suggested a picture of the five Olsen siblings.
Can you believe those mountains? It was the most beautiful park on the most beautiful day with the most beautiful weather ever. Utah had an exceptionally wet spring, and the mountains look more like New Zealand right now than their typical high desert dustiness.
Tucker had to work Saturday morning, but Karli and Annie came with me. This little girl doesn't see strangers very often, and she frequently acts shy or cries when in a crowd. Instead of her normal self, Annie was friendly, outgoing, loving, and so happy--even when her nap schedule was messed up.
She found this red bucket and hauled around that cup and roll for a bit, all while singing, dancing, and talking to herself.
She ran from one new food to the next new person to the next new experience with a smile on her face.
And then, she was tired. So tired that she let her Gran snuggle her almost to sleep.
Almost, that is, until she heard her mama's voice and needed her instead.
That night, I took the Dentons to dinner and a quick trip through the near hurricane to IKEA for a few new chairs and a bookshelf. The rain was crazy--bordering between exciting and kind of scary as we drove from Provo to Draper and back again, laden with a few projects to keep us busy that night.
Projects and Oreos and great conversation. Love hanging with my married kids.
Still to come . . . a visit with the Tucker brothers.
Saturday morning was the Olsen reunion. Some of these people I hadn't seen in at least ten years. Their kids have grown, they've gotten grayer and wrinklier, they've moved from here to there, but the joy of families is that memories link you together forever. These people have known me and loved me every day of my life, and seeing them reminded me where I came from: Rook games with someone always playing the widow, hand-crocheted afghans and bedspreads, pink and white mints stored safely on top of the fridge in a cut-glass bowl with a spire, and grandparents who loved and cherished each of us for being "the most beautiful, the smartest, and the best."
I was so excited to talk to my cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings, nephews, nieces, and parents that I forgot to pull out my camera until everyone was leaving and someone suggested a picture of the five Olsen siblings.
Sibs and their spouses
Tucker had to work Saturday morning, but Karli and Annie came with me. This little girl doesn't see strangers very often, and she frequently acts shy or cries when in a crowd. Instead of her normal self, Annie was friendly, outgoing, loving, and so happy--even when her nap schedule was messed up.
She found this red bucket and hauled around that cup and roll for a bit, all while singing, dancing, and talking to herself.
That night, I took the Dentons to dinner and a quick trip through the near hurricane to IKEA for a few new chairs and a bookshelf. The rain was crazy--bordering between exciting and kind of scary as we drove from Provo to Draper and back again, laden with a few projects to keep us busy that night.
Projects and Oreos and great conversation. Love hanging with my married kids.
Still to come . . . a visit with the Tucker brothers.
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