80 years young

So...

It's been a little while, hasn't it? Thanks for all the well wishes and "I've been there" support in my last post...over a week ago!? I was able to snap out of that weird funk I was in and joined the land of the living, but not so much here in blog land. Last week was a rush of busy-ness, mixed in with some not-fun-at-all sickness for both Ryan and myself (two words: stomach flu). I was going to try to attempt to make this a "here's what I've been up to" kind of post, but changed my mind and thought I'd share bits and pieces along the way. I'm enjoying a lazy SUNNY Sunday afternoon while the kids nap...perfect timing for a little blogging.

2 weeks ago my mom came for a one-week whirlwind visit from Alaska to surprise my grandma for her 80th birthday.

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

my mom and the birthday girl...80 years young

We had a family party to celebrate those 80 years. "All because two people fell in love" gives great meaning to our family...2 of the world's greatest grandparents, their 3 children (+ their spouses (minus my dad who stayed back in Alaska)), 7 grandchildren (+5 spouses), and 8 great grandchildren. Talk about a full house!! We took this opportunity to snap pictures of each of the families and unfortunately it was pouring rain outside, so we all had to cram inside for the photo shoot. It would have been fun to get one of all of us as a group, but there was just no room for that!!

The great grandparents with their great grandchildren

My poor mom had to juggle her one week here between my grandparents, me, and my other two siblings (my sister and family were also in town for the same week my mom was). I bet she was exhausted after her stay, but I know we all loved having her here, although it would have been 10 times better if my dad had come, too! Those kids love their Papa!! The countdown begins for December to come when they'll BOTH be in town for 3 months (maybe longer?? hint, hint)


So, of course while we were all pretty much in the same zip code as each other, we squeezed in lots of cousin time...

Jacob (9), Noah (3 1/2), Mikayla (3 1/2), Hunter (2),
Austin (2), Hailey (14 months)

My nephew turned 9 years old last Monday,
so we celebrated while they were still in town.

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I won't be as MIA this week as I was last week (let's hope!), but I'll just send a little reminder to keep working (or start) on your Monthly Craft Challenge...Halloween or Fall-Themed!! You still have 11 days left, so that's PLENTY of time to get going. (please note: this is a little reminder for me, also!) Leave me a comment if you have questions or click on the button below for more information!