Family Times are the Best Times

Hiiiiii!  I've just come back from a whirlwind 4 day visit to PA!  We had a bunch of family things going on and my sister and many of my cousins came in from out of state.  It was wonderful and I was so sad to leave last night.  It makes me so happy when all of my sisters, cousins and extended family are reunited.  I love the times when we can all come together.  It reminds me of when we were little and we used to do things together all the time, before everyone grew up, spread and out and moved away.

Ok enough sappiness.  On to the recap!  Warning: picture overload ahead.

The weekend started out with a surprise 90th birthday party for my grandfather!  He is truly the patriarch of our family, and the person who instilled the notion in all of us that family comes first.  Holidays and parties were always hosted at my grandparents house when I was little, and there is nothing my grandfather loves more than having his whole family gathered together.  He walked into the party totally surprised!  (Probably because his actual birthday isn't until October! HA But we planned the event when everyone could fly into town.)

Here are a few pics from the party:

My grandparents and their grandchildren

My grandparents with my family

 

Sisters!

My 5 nieces and nephews!

 

 

I would say the party was a raging success (without any actual raging, of course).

 

The following day was my niece's Christening day.  My sister asked me to be Godmother.  I now have 4 Godchildren!  Each time I'm asked, I feel so special that the parents have chosen me to serve that role in their children's lives :)  After the Christening there was a big party at my parents house.  It happened to be the HOTTEST day of the year so far, so most people stayed indoors. Which meant my parent's house was pretty much bursting at the seams!  Ah well, the more the merrier. 

My new Goddaughter

 

The next day we took the kids to an amusement park.  I can now successfully cross that item off my summer bucket list! Yee haw.  This particular park was one that my parents used to take us to when we were little (Knoebels), and it was the first time we had been back there in 20+ years!  It was also the first time I had been to an amusement park at all in years.  Something about being there kind of makes you feel like a kid again.  Who am I kidding, I pretty much feel like a kid every day.  HA  #nannylife

 

We spent all day there which wore the kids (and adults) OUT!

 

Post flume-ride AKA soaked!

 

 



Other highlights from the extended weekend include:

 

Picking giant zucchinis from my parent's garden:

 

Spending more time with my newest nephew who is now 1 month old!

And of course, some Vegan Treats (cake batter & chocolate soft serve):

Someone recently told me that my family sounds lovely from the way I speak about them and it's true. I love them.  I cherish the times when we are all able to be together.  Especially my sisters.  I miss them both often and wish I could pop over to see my nieces and nephews any time I wanted!  Time really does seem to speed up as you get older.  I guess the best we can do is to enjoy the moments we have together and hold them in our heart until the next time.  Kind of like what I do with summer to get me through each winter :)

I hope you've all been well and making memories of your own!


What were you up to this weekend?

Are you close to your family?

When was the last time you went to an amusement park?!