A Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

We've had as many as four people in the apartment before, but this weekend we had 13 people, and oh how we filled it, and oh how we loved the visit!

Gregory and Thomas and their families slept in a nearby hotel and Skyler, Connor, BrittanyJo, and Anthony stayed the night with us.

We took many photos, so I'll share a few here:
We met here together each day and ate and visited ...

and blew bubbles...

drew with side walk chalk...

"grew" sponge dinosaurs...

and opened several gifts:

We had so many birthdays that we sang "Happy birthday's to us!" What a silly song that sounded like, but still a fun thing for our memories to come. We sang to us all, but we didn't all get gifts this weekend.

Anthony's birthday is Wednesday, so we opened his gifts first.

Brayden's birthday is the following Wednesday, so we opened his next.

BrittanyJo's birthday is the 29th, so we opened hers next.

There were other gifts, but those photos might be on other cameras (but that isn't bad). It was, of course, also Mother's Day, and there were some awesome Mother's Day gifts, in addition to the awesome visit from family. One was a very cool apron, made by BrittanyJo and Adena. Elaine is wearing it here while preparing chicken for lunch.

And here is an awesome frame full of family photos.

It was a great weekend of celebration.

We also spent some time at the motel pool Saturday evening.

Tawny and Brayden loved jumping in.

Auger didn't want to get out!

So much fun!

Terry tossed pennies in for Anthony and BrittanyJo to get off the bottom of the pool.


Early Sunday morning Terry had a blood draw so those of us here at the apartment walked to the clinic and met those who stayed in the motel.

We took everyone up to the 6th floor to see the great view from the waiting room there.

We eventually had to say good-bye :(

We had 13 in the apartment, but there are 17 of us all in all. We were crowded, but we would have stuffed more in if it were possible. But, we know life is full of opportunities and responsibilities that makes it impossible to do what we want all of the time.

We missed Michael, but we know he is where he is supposed to be, so that makes things a lot better. We had a wonderful visit with him on the phone tonight, a call we look forward to for several months. He sounds good and is good! He loves the food, loves the people, and loves the work, and is presently in Omuta. He is doing well.

We missed Chase, who stayed home to attend a prom, and to participate in a tennis meet. He drove his grandparents to church today and spent the afternoon with them and some other great relatives :).

We also missed Brandon and Megan, but enjoyed a phone visit with him too. They are doing well and enjoying life in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

It's a bit late to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day, but we do hope that you had a great day and may you have a life full of joy.