Reunion Week!

 Last Sunday, one of my ministering families invited me for dinner. Callie and Rylee had a good time visiting with their four children after eating a wonderful meal. Then we hit the road to drive to the Roger's area to spend the night at Miranda's; they weren't home since they had previously driven west to visit family on the way to the family reunion, so we had the house to ourselves.

We were up early and on the road by 610 am; as we were driving off, Callie spotted a coyote in their yard. It was a long day with over 11 hours of driving; the two girls kept busy with their own devices and occasionally feeding me snacks. We stopped in Salina, KS at a favorite Mexican Restaurant that serves my favorite nachos. They had distance dining-in which was nice. Then we continued onto Sue and Steve's house in Parker, arriving about 7 pm. Sue had dinner waiting for us. The girls were intrigued with the clocks downstairs and the two small bunnies in the backyard.

Tuesday we didn't leave until just after 7 am. We had a shorter drive of only about 8 hours to Logan, UT where we met Rebecca and the other two girls at the Best Western. We visited a Seagull Bookstore to catch up on some shopping. And then we looked for a place to eat dinner. Denny's was open and since breakfast is my favorite meal...  Then back to the motel for the night.

Wednesday was a slower day. Check in at the resort was 4 pm so there was no hurry. I did go for a morning run;our motel was only a couple of blocks from the Logan Temple, so I ran around the grounds. The 6,000 foot elevation had me gasping within minutes, so I took it a little easier. And the temple is exquisite to see.

The plan was to shop visit the local DI which opened at 10 am, then eat lunch, and purchase food for the reunion. However, I received a text that we could actually check in to the resort by 1 pm, so we altered our plans. We did spend an hour at DI and then went to Sam's. Rebecca opened a membership while I started the shopping. The four girls were helpful, but soon became bored. Shopping for six different families and trying to identify just how much they might eat is challenging, but we persevered. 90 minutes later, with food stashed between two vans, Rebecca headed to Chick filet to grab lunch while I went to Walmart for the last few items. We connected 30 minutes later and headed to Garden City and our reunion home. We arrived about 230 pm and found Deborah and Adam's families already there. We got the food offloaded and Deborah found homes for it in the kitchen. Savannah made room assignments and the children ran amok. This is where we stayed.

The Arkansas Fox family had a total of 38 in attendance; Andy's family opted not to attend, but Nathan was able to join us for two nights. Josh brought his girl friend. I understand that between the three attending Swarthout families, there was a total of 116. Each had their own accommodations; our house was the furthest south and 20 minutes away from the northern most family. The house had a room with bunk beds and it was designated the 'girl's room'. The boys were jealous and wanted their own room as well; so they got portable mattresses on the floor in the downstairs family room. The house had a spacious kitchen with everything we needed to prepare meals. And there was room for people to eat. The house came with a pass to a beach 2 miles away and family members took advantage of that several times. Many of them have the sunburns to show.

Thursday evening there was a career fair and a game night and dessert. And the grandchildren had time visit and play.

Kenra offered to do family photos for us on the beach Friday morning. With 38 of us, herding cats may have been easier. But she did a great job. Here are a couple of my shots:

 Friday night we had the traditional 'wurst' night at the English house. Afterwords there was a variety of relay activities that kept us laughing for a long time. A good time was had by all.

Saturday morning the family hosted a 5K race along the walk/run/bike path in town. There were 36 participants; we had 10 of those. The altitude did take its toll on me again, but I did finish in just over 33 minutes; not bad for a guy who just had another birthday on Wednesday. Family members found some yellow caution tape and strung it across the finish line so everyone could cross the tape. Evidently lots of other runners ran the tape as well. We did have a short awards ceremony afterwords. Ethan got the one for youngest runner; I got the one for most mature runner. I suggested they call it the over 49 category since I was the only one over that age. Note the uniqueness of the award.

I was a little stiff and sore and took advantage of the hot tub. 60 minutes later, I felt like a jellyfish for awhile. But I was revived. That evening we held a Q&A for my brother Steve and myself. Some of his children had questions about his childhood and set up this opportunity to get the story from both us, at least as far as we could remember. It was fun to reminisce. The two Fox families teamed up to provide a taco salad dinner for the evening; then the English family joined us for the 'Family Feud' game. It was patterned after the TV show and was a good representation. Tim had sent out questions to family members and used those responses for the game. We all had plenty of good laughs.

Sunday we held church at our house. We had about 35 in attendance. Jonathan gave us a lesson and Miranda did a great Primary lesson. In the afternoon we hosted the English family for games. It was suggested to do dinner at their place, so we took our potato bar to their house and shared with them and also enjoy their home made enchiladas. 

Monday morning was a little hectic; getting 5 families out the door by 10 am after breakfasting, packing, clearing out the fridge, etc. But we managed to be on our ways by 940 am. We had family members heading back to Oregon, Yellowstone, Salt Lake area, and me with Sarah, to Colorado. Sarah was my designated copilot for the return trip since Rebecca and family are traveling to their new home in SoCal. Sarah was intrigued with the variety and quantity of clocks their house has. She counted over 80 just downstairs that were visible. Here is a shot of some that are hanging on the wall downstairs:

Friday afternoon Rebecca helped in my transformation:

Here is the before:

And the after:

And that has been my week!

I was in charge of four delightful grand daughters from Sunday afternoon until late Monday afternoon when Rebecca returned from seeing Dan off to Utah. We all survived!

Tuesday we had our morning run and I had to hustle to shower to make my 8 am chiropractic appointment. I go in once a month for an adjustment and find that this prevents me from having any severe back pain. Maintenance is better than rehabilitation.

Wednesday we left Callie (who cleaned the house) at home and drove to Branson, with a stop in Harrison so that Marian could take the written test for her drivers license. The Mountain Home office is closed so Harrison was the best option. Restrictions and health guidelines have not improved communication skills amongst government agencies. The agency that deals with licenses have different guidance on their website than on the recorded phone message, which is also different when you show up in person. Confusion reigns! But Marian passed! and now has a learners permit.

We had a good time in Branson. Rebecca knows where all the thrift stores are, and we stopped at least six to allow time to shop, mainly for clothes. This was a sign at one of the thrift stores that left me wondering:

We also hit two of the shopping malls; I was able to stock up on jeans and other items. We paused briefly in front of the store front that had previously housed the Harry and David store for a moment of silence (and unkind thoughts since they closed all their stores). We made a quick stop at Aldi's on the way home; it is possible to get five people in and out of there in less than 15 minutes if you stick with the list!

Friday I had a lab to recheck my PSA. We have been busy organizing items to take to the reunion. There are the two tubs Izzy delivered to Rebecca Sunday evening in Springfield for us to take to the reunion that will eventually end up at BYU. There is pile of stuff to take to Deborah and another to Miranda - all left behind after their last visits. And then I have several items that Adam has requested. And then there are the things I need to take to the reunion. I am beginning to feel like Prince Humperdink on the night of his wedding.

Saturday Callie mowed the yard and I weed whipped. Rebecca packed her van and was on the road with Marian and Delaney before 1030 on her westward journey to the reunion. The other two girls and I will start our journey this evening.

This past week Rebecca went through several tubs of stuff. She has been most helpful in helping me downsize. That means parting with stuff that Sandy may have had a need for, would not let me part with when she was alive, or no longer has a purpose. The shed is a lot emptier now.

The 13 foot tall corn finally has ears; I am hoping they will be ripe about the time I get home. I froze lots of zucchini and have given away a lot of cucumbers. Rebecca was good about cooking up what she could into yummy meals. And this is the hibiscus bush Kera planted last summer for Mom:

Each blossom is 10 inches or more in diameter.

Things are heating up here...

Scenes of happenings in the Fox home when family comes to visit (the previous week):

Monday Rebecca's family headed off to Andy's for several days where a good time was had by all. I was feeling puny with a runny nose and vegged. I did manage to clean and pack the canopies used for Saturday's pie celebration. Cookies were made and delivered to friends.

Marian is still looking for her prince:

The garden has been very generous with zucchini and cucumbers. I took several foot long zukes to church today and they all disappeared. The ten foot corn stalks finally have corn on them!

And Rebecca found this little guy munching contentedly on a cucumber today:

Thursday, seven of us, to include Dan and Delaney helped a couple move in. They had a U Haul and trailer, but it took us less than an hour to complete the job. He had been a Marine years ago as a game warden at Quantico; took care of the horses President Regan rode.

Rebecca has been helping me sort through stuff in the house. This week we went through one of Sandy's writing book shelves; I called a good writing friend to ask her opinion and she was very helpful in determining which books had value and which ones needed to be tossed. We also sorted through the many essential oils in the closet; I contacted a friend who connected me with a local salon owner. She came and purchased about a third of the oils. Any one interested in the left overs? I can provide a list. Half price. We also looked at the various USMC uniforms that have been in the shed for over 20 years. Any ideas on what to do with them?

Saturday morning, Dan, Rebecca, Marian, Callie and I drove to Cotter to run along the river in the shade with an overcast sky. Despite not running for over a week, I managed to run 3 miles (and survive!). It was nice to run on flat terrain.

In running some errands in the Model A with Marian this week, she asked a lot of questions about the levers and such. So I explained the best I could. Because of her interest

This is what happens when I leave my phone unattended and a certain grand child gets a hold of it:

Attended church at the building today. I did not do a head count but we probably had 70-80 between the two rooms we met in. Rebecca's family joined us.

Crazy Week!

Monday we did our foursome run in the morning. I showered and attended my first Grief Support Group meeting since the virus hit. We met in a local park, sitting on park benches under a pavilion, all wearing masks. There were approximately 20 of us sitting several feet apart from each other. We shared some jokes, stories and laughed a lot. Good time spent together for an hour. I got home just as Rebecca and her girls were heading off to Jonathan's for a couple of days, and to pick up her Dan from the airport. Since there were two pounds of strawberries left behind, I made another batch of jam so they would not go to waste.

Tuesday I worked on the deck some removing old planks so the new could be installed. I also finished the steps since I now had the needed materials. The rest of the day is a blank.

Wednesday was lonely running all by myself. Rebecca did returned with her Dan and girls. Late in the afternoon we had a marvelous thunderstorm; lots of thunder and 3/4's of an inch of rain in less than an hour. And, it dropped the temperature enough that it was comfortable to work outside without sweating buckets. The older girls came and helped remove several planks and I was able to get a couple installed before it was too late.

Thursday morning was still cool enough that I was outside working on the deck by 630. Got most of the recently purchased planks installed before stopping.

I now have two more lawn mowers! Both Callie and Marian asked to learn how to use the zero turn mower, and who am I to deny eager workers the opportunity to work, especially when it means less work for me. They were quick learners and did a great job! Here they are hard at work Friday morning after running.

Miranda's family drove over Friday afternoon and Deborah's family joined us shortly thereafter. We set up 3 canopies in preparation for Saturday's celebration. Rebecca was busy making, or assisting others in making pies. The fridge and freezers were full with completed pies. Finding helpers to lick bowls was not hard.

Some were made at the last minute so they would be fresh. Sarah, Miranda and I all contributed to the 25 pies that were ready for the festivities.

Friday evening we did a mini fireworks display for the enjoyment of the children.

About bedtime, Isabelle and three of her siblings arrived to spend the night. We had 25 sleeping in the house this night. And no one was on the couch. We had enough beds and inflatable mattresses for all (okay, so one of them lost air over the night).

Saturday was a lazy morning. Emily and Samantha made biscuits; Miranda made pancakes. No one went hungry. We then headed off to the chapel:  Christopher was to be baptized! Andy's family arrived for the service and we had a short family oriented service. There were some complications (where is the key to the font; opps we forgot to fill the font). When it came time to for Ian to immerse Christopher, we discovered his deep seeded aversion to having his head under water. Ian was most patient with him, but in the end, he was not baptized. So this ended up being a practice round.

We came home and finished setting up tables and decorating the canopies for the afternoon Pie Day celebration, and cooking the last pies. When it came time to pre-cut the pies, which were downstairs, we had the grands carry them upstairs to be cut and then outside to the waiting tables.

We let the grands have two slices before others arrived, and then they ran wildly rampant while the adults enjoyed their pie.

The weather forecast called for the chance of thunderstorms and rain, but that had been the forecast for the entire week, so I was not too worried. Prior to 4 pm when we started, there was a lot of thundering, but no rain. Radar showed storms encircling the area, but avoiding us. And it did not start to sprinkle until after 5. We did not have as many people as in past years; I suspect many had rain at their homes and decided it would be raining at ours - when it wasn't. But we had more pies this year, and there are fewer leftovers. The grands may have contributed to that; they came back for seconds after 530. We did have a good time visiting with friends and neighbors and the rain did not dampen our spirits. Many of the grands took advantage of the situation and engaged in water fights. So a good time was had by all.

Andy's family headed home followed by Isabelle, so the chaos level was reduced for the evening.

I attended at-church church today. Because the AC is not functioning in the chapel, they only had the primary room and the cultural hall available. Not  a problem though; only had 61 attend the two. We could not combine them since the rule is a maximum of 50. Seems awkward to have a fast Sunday without testimonies though.

This afternoon Miranda and Deborah's families will be returning to the respective homes so life will return to a more routine pace - if such a thing exists anymore. We are still making plans for the family reunion and look forward to see family.