Family

 

This past weekend my uncle and aunt who live in Kansas City came ‘home’ to visit.  I always love when they come back, I have a special place for them in my heart. 

Saturday night we met up at my folks’ house for pizza after church.  This is kind of a tradition started way back when.  After church we’d all go to Pizza Hut and my sweet little Grandma would treat us to supper.  Now that she’s gone we meet up at my parent’s house.  It’s easier with all of the kiddos.

I wanted a big group shot of all of us so I set up my camera on a stool, set the timer and jumped in to the picture.  I couldn’t believe it but I only took 2 pictures and they were both really good!

Sunday we all met up at the park in town and had a picnic with my dad and uncle’s other brother, his family and their 3 uncles.  It was so windy and cool, not the best weather for a picnic but you know we made the best of it!  We took the opportunity for more pictures.

The three brothers – Gary, Randy (my dad), and Ron.

The brother’s with their 3 remaining uncles.

My grandma’s grandkids with spouses and great-grandkids (with 2 still cooking in the oven!)

I had to snap this shot – my Uncle Gary is famous for taking candid pics of people and posting them on FB.  He posted one of me with my hand by my nose, perfect.  Or he’ll catch you mid-bite.  Or get you from the worst possible angle.  So I had to take a pic of him taking pics. My Aunt Joan, his wife, is standing next to him.

And I couldn’t help but snap one of my parent’s with my Tater Bug.

I miss the simplicity of those times when we’d all get together for Sunday dinner or Christmas or Grandma’s birthday.  We don’t get to see Uncle Gary and Aunt Joan nearly often enough.  I have so many fond memories of them and of all of us being together.  And my Uncle Ron and Aunt Carol, although they live here we don’t meet up with them as often as we should, either.  Growing up we’d go to Grandma’s house twice a month at least for Sunday dinner.  Ron, Carol and the boys lived on the same farm as her so they’d always be there, too.  It was the perfect way to spend part of our Sunday.  Grandma would make some amazing meal, Mom and Carol would each bring something to add to the meal and it was always so lively.  Ron would ask for a roll and Dad would throw one across the big table to him.  Brian, my cousin, would ask for more ‘spuds’.  Passion Plums, as my dad calls olives, were always a staple at the meal. 

We always sat in the exact same spots – my Grandma at the head of the table, my dad at the other end.  I would sit next to Dad, then Mom to my left and Nicole to her left, which brought you back around to Grandma. Then next to her would be Ron, then Brian, then Carol and Sean would be between her and my dad.  Us kids were expected to set the table, help clear it off and help with dishes.  We’d get the table all torn down, take the leaves out, push it together and move it back to it’s place against the wall.  Then we’d all sit around chatting after for a bit.  If it was a nice day we’d go outside and sit in lawn chairs under the shade tree. It was all so perfect.  I’m so sad those days are gone.

What fond memories do you have of your extended family?