A family Reunion

At the end of July my older sister Tara, her husband David and their 5 children came from Alabama to come visit us. It has been around 5 1/2 years since the last time that I saw my sister. The 5 1/2 days that they were there went by way to fast. Fast or not it was wonderful so see my sister and her family again. Needless to say my nieces and nephews were a lot bigger since the last time I saw them. My sister's oldest daughter Emily is as tall as me and she is only 10. And I guess it helps that her dad is also 6'5'', but either way I was shocked how tall they all are. One of the best things about their visit to Colorado was that my sister got to meet Quinton my husband for the first time. Now we have two tall guys in the family, David and now Quinton who is 6'3''. We all just sat around playing with all the grandkids and just catching up on the last 5 years since we have seen each other. It was fun that one night all of the kids my sister, brother, spouses and myself were all able to go out to dinner. Yep, all adults and no kids. My parents loved it, and it was just fun talking about the good ole' days when we were all little. We also had a chance to have professional family pictures done (which were a blast) and then we all came up to Woodland Park where Quinton and I live for a picnic at the park. After sitting for all the pictures and a 45 min. ride up to the park, everyone was ready to just go and play. It was great. That Sunday for the first time in about 5-8 years my parents went to church with all 3 of their children. It was truly a treasured moment. I think that all of the grandkids favorite times were all playing together and just goofing off. They loved posing for pictures and just being kids. Later that day we all went on a family walk (excluding me and Quinton because my feet were too swollen). I think that everyone underestimated how long a little 1 mile walk would take with 18 people. I was just glad that I was able to see my sister and her wonderful family again. It was such a wonderful time that Quinton and myself will always treasure. I am especially grateful that my brother-in-law David was able to spend some of his vacation time with us. Especially since the army only let him come back to the states for two weeks, while he is still serving in Iraq for the total time of almost a year. I know that my sister Tara loved having him home for those precious 2 weeks and I am deeply grateful that he is serving and representing our country well. Thanks David for all you have done and still do, we all love you so much. The visit went by so fast but I am just grateful that we were able to spend time with each other and reunite those family bonds again. There is truly nothing better than family in this world and I am so grateful for mine. They all are my rock and they can build me up in ways that no one can. Thanks for everyone who came and made wonderful memories that I will never forget. I love you all so much.