Eddington Family Reunion (Part 1)



June 25-26, 2012

 

We really couldn't spend too much time crying over the loss of my parents. We had to travel to the Eddington Family Reunion in Rexburg, Idaho. We left soon after my parents with 12 children and 3 adults. How do you like that ratio? A couple of my sisters couldn't make it, so we took all the extra kids that my sister-in-law's and our van could hold. We arrived at 10:00pm and started pitching our tents in the dark. When here came my cousins, aunts, and uncles from all corners of the field and helped pitch tents, blew up air mattresses, and unloaded vans until the work was done and then they vanished. They were our angels! I have a really great family! In the middle of it all, McKenna came to me and said her tummy hurt. I led her away and she lost her dinner. So I wasn't any help with the set up. We created a quarantine tent and McKenna and I had our own little suite. :) I missed some of the next day's activities since I was with Kenna, but it all looked like fun.



 We launched kids on the parachute. I think we cause a few bruises, but the kids loved it! Dave just wished he were light enough to get a turn. :)

 My uncle launched these child-made rockets with an air compressor. It was hours of fun!

 And no reunion would be complete without some wild card-playing. People were climbing on the tables!

 By the evening McKenna perked up and was able to play a little with cousins.

 My very brave sister-in-law, Traci, camped with her 4 kids, plus two extra, all on her own. My brother needed to get home to Oregon for work. She was calm and amazing through it all!

One of the highlights of the reunion was a photo walk with my sister, sil, and cousin. My cousin is a professional photographer and it was fun to see the different angles each of us took and what caught our eye. Here are my favorites of what I took:

They Ditched Us

June 25, 2012

 

After Saturday's party we took a one-day break, but Monday morning we were up packing for a reunion and then spent the day up at my parents' house...again. I think it was a month-long goodbye, but I still didn't feel ready for when the actual moment came. This was the day that they were headed out on the plane. (The following pictures were stolen from my sister and sil, thanks!)

 

 We were very much in the way, but we followed my mom from room to room. I think we have abandonment issues. My parents were busy most of the day with last-minute packing and loose ends to wrap up. We just watched and distracted them. :)

 Then it came...the quick rush out the door. They gave out their many hugs to many many kids and grandkids and they were gone. Gone for two years....or so we thought.

 Here WE are after chasing after them up the hill.

 And minutes later they were back! Yes! They changed their minds. Actually it was a drive by just to pick up a left-behind laptop. :(

 But here's the crowd chasing them down the hill. What a grand exit, Mom and Dad. You know how to add drama.

And just like that we were all a bunch of orphans...left all alone to fend for ourselves. Sniff, sniff. We miss you!! 

 They are doing amazing things in the Philippines. You can follow their blog which is linked on my sidebar.

 

Primary Childrens Family 5K

June 23, 2012 

I arrived home from Capitol Reef at 10:00 PM and we were in Riverton the next morning ready to run The Primary Children's Family 5k. We've been wanting to run a race as a family and this was the perfect opportunity. It was only $5 per family and included breakfast, t-shirts, and medals. It was their way to say "thank you" to former patients. Since three of us have been patients there, Derek, Ryan, and I, were each given a special blue t-shirt.

We all stayed together for the first mile or so, but then Dave ran with Taylor, and Derek and I took off. I was so proud of my family! It's not every day that we do hard things and it was amazing to see Derek and Taylor finish without giving up. Yes, I almost cried of joy several times. 

 Those "post run" pictures are oh-so flattering. :)

 After the family run and breakfast, they held a tot run for the little ones. Ryan was so dang cute. He smiled the whole way to the finish line. The kids ran it several times and one of those times was for the blue shirt kids only. Whenever we put this shirt on Ryan he says "I did it!"

After the race we drove to my parents' house, who had finished their time at the MTC and were waiting for their flight that left on Monday. We spent the day talking while the kids swam. In the afternoon we left all the grandkids and went to the Bountiful temple to participate in a sealing session. It was a great way for us to spend our last bits of time together.
A great family day!

Youth Conference 2012

After Taylor's party, I packed up and drove to Capital Reef for our ward's Youth Conference. I missed the day's activities but I arrived in time for a devotional and night games. We woke up the next morning and us Mia Maids presented a devotional, ate breakfast, and then we hiked the Sulfur Creek Hike. It was a five-mile hike that, for most of it, was walking down a stream. There were a few of us leaders that tried to stay dry as long and possible and we did very well until we reached the waterfall. The waterfall that we had to slide down! I'll admit that I was nervous that I was going to slam my head into a rock, but it was fun...and refreshing. Afterall, it was a hot day! After the hike we returned to camp. Soon after dinner I left early for my next activity in my busy week (look for the next post). I was only there for 24 hours, but we made many fun memories and I experienced things that I wouldn't have otherwise.

 The leaders that experienced Youth Conference.

A video of one of our leaders going down the waterfall. It looks less dramatic than it really was. I'd like to find the video that proves I did it.

Taylor's Gr-eight Bike Party

On Taylor's actual birthday we held a bike race party for the birthday boy and his friends. The guest list grew and grew until there were 18 kids invited, and there was only one that didn't show up. I guess that's the perk of having summer babies...all parties can be outside instead of 17 kids tearing apart the house. 

 The kids were instructed to visit the pit stop table at any time. They each had a water bottle with their name on it and snacks to eat.

The Sweet Birthday Boy

We strung a checkered banner from my outdoor light to my neighbor's and that became our finish line. 

 Each guest decorated their spokes with cut up straws and zip-tied a custom license plate under their seats.

 They performed all sorts of relays...who can ride slowest, who can ride the fastest, who can stay between two narrow lines, etc.

 My sisters were so sweet to stay and help with the details that one person cannot handle alone. Thank you, Laurel and Stephanie! My parents left the MTC early and were headed to the party but sadly, their car broke down on the way. :(  Apparently we sisters think alike. I guess it was a turquoise kind of day. :)

 After the relays, Taylor opened presents....

 ...and more presents...

 ...and more presents....

 ...and more presents. I like Taylor's demonstration of how to shoot a Nerf gun. :)

I was lazy and didn't want to make two birthday cakes, so to go with the theme we decided on "spare tires" for his friend party. Taylor was more excited about having donuts than about anything else. Each party guest went home with a candy-filled water bottle. Taylor doesn't love the spotlight but I think he enjoyed it on this day. He is a sweet kid that loves to make others happy and he does a good job of it. We love you, Taylor!