Family Weekend/Grammie's 90th

As if all the hubbub with the wedding last week wasn't enough family togetherness for us, we had a big weekend right after the day of the ceremony! It was a lot of fun packed into one week and a bit tiring but I wouldn't miss a second of it! I was packing in a zombie like state on Friday and made no effort whatsoever to be space efficient. I just didn't have the ability to focus or concentrate or energy to spend on that! M&D stopped by on their way to my Grammie's & picked up all our big bulky stuff for camping so that saved my butt!

We got to Grammie's house around 9pm on Friday night & immediately started assembling Taji, our new tent (named for it's similarity in size & splendour to the Taj Mahal). It is quite the tent. However, it was the first time we'd put it up & it was dark & misting & we were tired. My dad (have I mentioned lately what a great Dad I have???) drove his car over the lawn to where we were setting up & so that the headlights would let us see what we were doing as my flashlight had died (freshly charged batteries didn't pan out) and helped us keep track of the 11-12 poles and gave us a hand getting the tent up. In those conditions it took us an hour but we're hoping that next time with a little more familiarity & visibility, we'll be able to cut that down some! Once up, the tent was AWESOME!!!!!!!! the girls slept at one end, Murray, the dog & I at the other and there was tonnes of room left in the centre for the potty, our bags, shoes etc. This thing has a ceiling light (remote controlled no less!), a hinged door and a cat flap out the back (not sure about taking the cat camping though....). It also held up perfectly in the heavy downpours through the night. It was a very late night for little girls and us too!

The girls slept in a bit the next morning, whew! I knew Saturday would be a long busy day for them so I was in no hurry for them to wake up. The weather was a little warm but we were so glad it wasn't pouring anymore that we didn't care. I had a good time golfing with my team and actually had several good shots & helped birdy the last hole. I was pretty excited when I see my ball had landed only a few feet from the cup and I guess jumping up and down for joy isn't a normal sight on the course, based on the laughter of my teammates! LOL

Since this was a big year for Grammie, we had lots of extra family visiting that we don't see every year. I got to catch up with Kendra (a 3rd cousin from the US) who I used to go camping with every summer when her grandparents brought her up for a visit. They used to pick me up & take me with them for a week or so. How crazy was that? bringing along someone else's kid in a TRAILER for a week?!?!?! but we had soooooooo much fun so I'm glad they did! Almost all my cousins were there at some point, even the ones from out west made it. Out of 18 of us, only 3 weren't able to come so it was a pretty decent representation.

After the golf was out of the way, the party got started. We ate & then the games got underway. The girls were totally pumped for that & asked about it many many times. There were sponge fights, water balloon toss, tug of war, 3 legged race, sack races, candy scramble/peanut toss, sparklers and then the fireworks. It was too dark so they couldn't do the piñata. To say the least, we know how to have a party!!!!!! There were lots of little kids so they all had a blast running around with each other & it was play play play. By the time the last of the fireworks were over, it was another late night for our girls. Murray & I weren't far behind them & we all slept like logs!

There was church the next morning so I got my crew cleaned up & dressed and once all the family had arrived we were quite a presence in that little congregation!

Now I have to brag, I just can't resist! The girls went up for story time & the minister was starting to tell the story of Zacchaeus. Then she asked what happened when Jesus saw him in the sycamore tree. I sat there wondering, "are they going to say anything???" Did they EVER. They answered everything she asked them about the story and got it all right and weren't shy about it or anything. Our church has lots of kids & mine never speak up at story time so although I knew they knew the story, I wasn't sure if they'd talk. But they did. Murray & I were so proud of them & impressed!!!

Cousins photo, including spouses

Grammie & her kids

Uncle Laurence, Uncle Ralph, Dad (Earl)

Aunt Wendy, Aunt Cathy, Grammie & Auntie Ruth

Grammie's kids plus spouses

On Sunday afternoon there was a big open house party at the church for Grammie's bday. This is a pretty small town & she's lived there a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time so is fairly well known. I sort of knew this or figured this but really realized it when I stopped at the convenience store to pick up a bday card and the lady ringing me in said "oh, you're going to Annie's party are you?" The hall at the church was packed with many well wishers. She got some neat letters from the prime minister and other the premier of the province etc and someone got postage stamps made with her picture on them.

It was a great weekend and we're so glad Grammie was able to make it! She's doing great with her new pacemaker and seems to be back up & running. We had a hard time keeping her from waiting on everyone and I didn't see her doing much sitting. It's good to see her pretty much back to normal!

(I stole ALL the pictures for this post. See what happens when people don't watermark their stuff?!?!? ;))))