.:Sunday, July 5, 2009:.
Last Hoorah
Today, the family gathered at grandma and pop's house one last time to celebrate together. It was a long standing family tradition to gather at their house every fourth of July (and many, many, many days in between). I remember back in the day pop's and his friends playing music. Or that one year that grandma decided to bring the karaoke machine out. Kids running everywhere and swimming. Homemade ice cream, watermelon and tons of food. All of the neighbors were friends and joined in on the festivities. Then, the oohs and aahs as we watched the firework display from the back yard. It was where everyone wanted to be every year. This year it was very much the same and also very different. It was a bittersweet reunion. I'm adding way too many pictures to this blog entry, but I couldn't weed any of them out either! My cousin Eric and his wife couldn't be with us. They just had twins and one is still in the hospital. My cousin Blake couldn't join us either, but all of them were there in our hearts and were missed!                                    There is a group photo of the entire family. Then, there is one with all of the grandkids and great grandkids together. And then a few of us grandkids (minus Eric and Blake). And no worries! Cooper (Misty and Justin's baby...the one with the beer), didn't actually drink any of it! Tehehehe. I'm such a bad influence. The picture of the watermelon was one of my designs. I made that one first for our party and then made a couple extra for two of our neighbors. It's heartbreaking to think that I will never step foot back into that house. That's home to me and where a large portion of my best memories were made. I'm incredibly grateful though that we all had this one last chance to get together to enjoy each other and remember. My love to each and everyone of you! I feel so blessed to have such an amazing, strong, beautiful and loyal family! |
