Family Matters, Plus A Lot Of Pictures

Remember when you were a kid and you would fight with your brothers (or sisters, if you were lucky enough to have them... sighhhh)? You would cry to your mom about how much you hated them and never wanted to see them again. And your mom would tell you 'just wait until you grow-up, you'll all be best friends' and you would, obviously, tell her she was crazy and so old fashioned and that you were NEVER going to like any of them, because they were mean and stupid. I remember those days all too well. I was pretty sure WE were never going to be friends and that I would never be happy to see *most* of them. But then something crazy happened.... I moved away. To a different province. To a place that's five hours away. And I started going home for visits that were four or five days long. A few times a year. Slowly... veryyyy slowly.... I, amazingly, did start to actually *like* my brothers. I would even venture as far out as to say we are *gasp* friends (not best friends... but don't worry, we're still young!). I LIKE seeing them, and having them come over for breakfast and spending the day loving on my brothers two little girls (aka- the greatest nieces ever).

I LIKE playing croquet on Sunday night before eating BBQ-ed burgers, and sitting around the table laughing about how we are all so competitive - but we don't care who wins, as long as it isn't Tyler. Maybe Tyler wasn't laughing... but they rest of us were! Heh. Payback.

I LIKE drinking cold beer on a hot afternoon while sitting outside with most of my family just milling around.

That turning point in my life has come. Family IS important, and while I am happy to be home with my Brian and our little family, I do miss the rest of them. Not enough to move back (yet), but enough to appreciate the time we do get to spend together, and to take it all in. And remember to love every minute of it! I think this is just one more sign pointing to me being a grown up. Whatever, I am still younger than half my brothers. HA!

This trip home was for good reason (not that that is necessary) and that just made it oh so much more fun! A little family reunion on my dads side, in honor of his aunt coming over from France, possibly for the last time (she is 86 and her husband is 80!)

There were cousins from near and far, young and old and great food!

It was a great reason to get together!


Then there was also a visit with our pseudo-family! Maizey and I met up with our friend Trudy!

Nothing makes me happier than seeing people I love... that love me (and have for a really long time) love my girl too! She will someday know just how lucky she is have such special people in her life!

And now, just because they are so stinkin' cute....