Back home

I've been busy. And I've been sick. And I've been on vacation. Not necessarily all at the same time, but close. Late last week I was about to make a badge of bragging rights stating, "I survived the horrible flu that my family had without getting it myself." My week was beyond busy with photography sessions and other stuff. Then I woke up Friday morning with the sickness, I had succumbed. I couldn't even get out of bed. I will spare you the details, but it was awful and I have no badge of honor. Even my invincible husband got this nasty bug. The weekend was full of recovery and we missed a lot of extended family that was visiting for my great uncle's 80th birthday party. I know I've said it before, but I really miss being able to recover from an illness by relaxing, watching movies, taking naps, and reading books, all while sprawled out on the couch. It just isn't possible with little ones. The girls took their turns being sick earlier in the week and were peppy and far from compassionate when their parents were down. This is life.

My parents arrived like the blessed calvary on Saturday afternoon and helped with the kids, the mountain of laundry, and a very messy house. 

Monday we were back to 95% and I joined the ladies in the family for Tea at Deep Wood. It was really special to have the mansion all to ourselves and be served in such a lovely atmosphere. We took a tour of the house and it was really neat inside. We took a picture on the porch of all of us.

(Me, Katie, Mom, Bobbi, Andrea, Aunt LaNea, Grandma, Aunt Peggy, and Lisa)

I looked around for someone to take our picture, but couldn't find anyone. I took a picture of the group and then my cousin, Lisa, came and took another picture of the group with me in it. I spliced the 2 pictures together with Photoshop and here is all of us in the same picture. A tri-pod would have been easier, but I didn't have my new one with me.

My wonderful husband and girls met me in Salem and we headed straight for Eagle Crest for a vacation with my parents and sister's family. It has been a couple years and a couple kids since we attempted that kind of thing, but it was so much fun. We had a hot tub on the deck of our cabin, plenty of good food and perfect weather. We even attempted a family photo. Pictures to come (I had the tri-pod for that one and only had to jump a creek while the timer was running). All in all, we had a really great time and enjoyed being together.

The kids with Grandpa Tom

Stay tuned to find out if any of these family pictures turned out...