McCall and summer fun is now a thing to be remembered. It's over for 2013!

I was looking at the pictures from McCall this year and there are so many that bring back certain remembrances.  I'll just share a couple more and then McCall is filed in my memory bank.

I'll remember....

the girls measuring their hair lengths!

our children enjoying each others company!

Love/affection being shown over and over!

LOTS of laughter!!!

All were so happy that the Grandfather was okay after his Jan. stroke and they let him know that several times.

Christmas dinner outdoors.  Snowflakes hung in trees. 25 people.

Lake day.  David cooking.

David & our Grandson- Kipper.  Friends always.

Lots of games were played.

Brother bugging sister!

Terry making Poor Man's Mush.  He made two pans.  David helping him.

Goodbye to cousin Sammy.  All of these cousins love and enjoy each other.  Our precious grandchildren.

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At the Lake there were so many bees that it was startling.  They were really bold and fierce.  They would get right on your plate of food and start eating!  Here are two pictures of them eating salmon.  (Ben brought us Alaskan salmon and it was cooked over the fire we had going!  delicious!)

I had an encounter with one of the bees when I was munching on a hot dog.  I took a bite.  Had the thought...Is there a bee in my mouth????!!!  Was processing that possibility when all doubt was removed and I got stung in the roof of my mouth on the left side towards the back.  I was so shocked!! 

I jumped up and went over and started spitting my mouthful of food in the bushes.  Terry was startled and rushed over to me.  I didn't want to alarm anyone so I told him I was stung and to get Lorrie (our DIL.  Greg's wife).  I knew she'd have tweezers and I could feel the stinger.  Suddenly it was bedlam with it being loudly announced that I had been stung. 

Bedlam turned to sideshow as I sat there with gaping mouth, while everyone that cared to, took a peek and gasped at what they saw with the stinger in place.  The roof of my mouth was swelling and I felt like I had a massive shot of novacain up there.

It all turned out fine.  I was really sore for several hours and it felt strange when I swallowed water or anything.  I "worried" the stinger with my tongue until it fell off,  as no one could find tweezers until after the fact.

It's so bizarre and I ended up glad i had some eyewitnesses as who would believe such a story????

Several felt I should go to the Dr. but I opted not.  I did have one moment of a bit of panic.  I know that the mouth is where you take nitroglycerin and you chew aspirin when you have heart symptoms, because it will go directly to blood stream so I suddenly thought maybe I had bee poison rushing through my veins and I would keel over and die on the spot!!!!  realizing it was a long ways past that time period, I relaxed.  just being paranoid for a bit!!!

Traditions revisited!

It surprises me how easy it is to make a tradition become a part of your life and create great memories.  It took me a long time to figure it out!  It's not the $$$$ value that makes it important nor even validates it as a tradition.  It's the consistency.  The repetitiveness.  IF I were raising my family again, I'd think beyond the Sunday PotRoast, that became an accidental tradition, a family memory, simply because I cooked it most Sundays.  Just like the endless loaves of WW bread I made.  I'd figure out some other things around birthdays that go beyond choice of what the celebrant wants to eat.  Maybe a special plate that is used just for the birthday person?  Something!

Jeanee has brought the girls home each summer since they were 6 months old so I've established some things with them that connect us memory wise.  One is- we always to to Leavenworth and since they turned 5 we've gone to The Sound of Music.  That means we've gone 12 years in a row.  We always get a bratwurst on arrival, look at shops, eat dinner and go to the play. 

The woman that plays the Reverend Mother watches for the girls each year and is kind and good to them.  She has been there every year since we've been going.  Next year is the theatre's 20 anniversary and she will do it again! 

As the girls age and jobs and education enter into their lives then these marvelous summer times will come to an end but we have the memories and that is what life and our association is all about...memories.  For all of us!

Bratwurst  (Yummy!)

Early years picture and last year!

Girls with Rev. Mother, Maria and Captain (they are a real life married couple) after show.

Girls before show.  New set.

New tradition.  Sno-cones!!!  A real hit!

Poor Man's Mush.  a lifetime tradition along with another food tradition--Sourdough Pancakes.  Terry is cook!

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This year I will endeavor to start a new tradition with my 4 oldest Granddaughters- Britta, Tori, Cassie and Brooke.  We will weekly be in touch with each other via their choice of communication.  The one that caught me off guard was Tori.  She chose to have us use "cursive writing".  At first I protested about my penmanship being dreadful at this stage of life and lack of use....I type fairly fast...maybe type and mail?  Nope.  Cursive it will be.  She will save my letters and I hers.  Next year we will put them together and she will keep the originals and I will get a copy made for me at Kinko's.  Actually I'm really looking forward to my cursive endeavor, now that the shock has worn off!!

Years ago.  many years ago!!  I'd buy pretty boxes of stationary and wrote lots of letters.  I enjoyed it so much.  I have lots of letters of mine that my Mother saved and also my Aunt so I'm thinking Tori will enjoy looking at those next year.

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As McCall wound down and we returned home and all others headed to their own abodes...I made my usual over the top self-promise that I will make everyone a quilt and give it to them in two years at our Christmas in July party.  I've said this every year (not our loud!  just my thinker!).  The family has grown to 25.  My vision has lessened. Can I see to thread my sewing machine???  At first it was going to be full size quilts.  With each color carefully selected for the recipient.  Now they are down to lap size and using whatever fabric I have on hand as I have a cupboard full!  This endeavor ranks right up there with dropping my weight to coincide with what insurance  companies say I should weigh and goes along with the Jews hundreds of year old chant...Next year Jerusalem!  There is about as much chance as I will do either of those challenges and I definitely have no inkling of a chance to go to Jerusalem!  And yet I never give up saying I will do these remarkable accomplishments!  Wack-a-doodle for sure!!! 

Lots of molds thrown away!!

 Our children.  Arranged by our rose amongst the thorns (our left handed daughter that chose to sort of kneel down in this picture) so it's youngest to oldest.  left to right.  Benjamin. David. Jeanee. Gregory. Kipper.     IF I remember correctly...Kip and Greg are 19 months apart.  3 years after Greg, Jeanee was born.  8 years after Jeanee we adopted David.  4 years after David we adopted Ben.  That makes for a steady flow of children at home for more years than I'm capable of adding up!  When Ben was 5 years old our first Grandson was born so that makes Ben closer in age to his Uncle than his older siblings.  When our Grandson's first child was born, Ben's first born was 4 years old.  This is going no where except to state-- we are young parents to the first 3 and old parents to the last two!  Just trivia that amounts to nothing except to us!  And now you know!  What do you know?  I'm not sure.  We love our children!  I hope you know that.

 
After McCall, the girls and I went to lunch at The White House Cafe...Nana, have you noticed that none of your children are alike?  Not any of them!  And they all had the same parents!  

...Yes.  I have noticed!

I have a favorite sugar cookie recipe that is a no-chill dough and a set of bear cookie cutters that are old and used....4 of them...assorted sizes but all easily recognized as relatives of that particular bear family. 

My children are not cookie cutter people.  Trying to squeeze them into a mold just never worked.  Admittedly I tried.  (one of those --wish I had a do-over option!  I would work more with who they really are and how they arrived intact, in many ways, for me to discover who they are and help them develop those talents/traits).  

I've said before that sometimes I think the only thing they have in common is their last name.  They are so diverse that in many ways they are worlds apart.

That is why McCall was so amazing.  Adults that realize, even with differences, we are family.  I think it takes a lot more fortitude, effort, desire, and love to make a connection with family, with all the differences, than it takes to make a connection with friends.  With friends you might be tempted to just throw in the towel but with family, no matter the disparity, you put forth the effort to make things work.  My children made magic that McCall week! 

Lipizzaner dancing horses (not my children!)

Clydesdale's- (not my children!)

 

Wild Mustangs-(my children at times!)

So tender and sweet to me....

My heart is so full of memories of this last month.  I've decided to share them piece meal and not just throw it all out at once.  I'm savoring and reminiscing the happenings in my mind and will share that with you.

Our oldest son has injuries from 2 failed back surgeries and he's not been to anything family wise, beyond his home, for years.  This year he decided to try the trip and prepared as best he could.  He'd ride with us and we'd stop as needed, including all rest stops and anywhere else along the way.   The longest he'd ever ridden was to Kirkland, a couple of hours away.  So there were a lot of unknowns but he wanted to try it.  He would just handle things the best he could.

It worked out great!

The last time Kipper attended McCall was 1999.  Each year all the family laments he's not with us.  It was amazing what his presence did to the family dynamic.

He was able to surprise his siblings and that was such fun for all... such a joyous emotional time as they arrived and he was there! 

This is one of my favorite pictures.  David, in the hat, had just seen Kipper outside his car and was dumbfounded.  He jumped out and they just hugged and it was tender with deep emotions and I was teary.  True- I was paparazzi taking pictures from both sides but I couldn't resist, as it was such a beautiful moment.

Kipper, 13 when David was born, used to often take him, as a baby, from his crib and sneak him into his bunk late at night and sleep with him.  I had that memory flash through my mind when I witnessed this scene.  Even looking at these pictures now makes me tear up.

There is something so special about family ties.  Our children re-connected and bonded and our family was made stronger by our family reunion.  I'm so thankful!!  We are not a cookie cutter family, with all from the same mold, so it's quite amazing to see this diverse group make the effort, way beyond friendship, to be a family.  More on that phenomena later!!

Long time friends

The family party that started with the arrival of Jeanee on July 11, ended one day shy of 4 weeks, with Jeanee and the girls leaving Wednesday August 7th.  That jet plane boarded at 5:30am out of Yakima and took a part of my heart with those 3 travelers.

Fist of all, I was shocked to see that I didn't say, blog-wise, that I'd be gone and be back around now.  I was certain I'd done that deed.  Maybe I did say it and then kept adding things?  I don't know.  Guess I could check!  I felt it was rude to you readers that are my friends.  Sorry about that.

Where to start?  Things were great!  Great doesn't describe it!  Historic?  yes.  that is a good word.  With the exception of 2 people (Missionary Grandson-Lance and Son-in-law, Scott) all were in attendance!  Quite a feat.  People from Coast to Coast, all making the effort, the trek, like Alaskan Salmon, returning home to our Family.  And what a diverse family it is.

For now I think I'll share a few pictures.  I shared the preparations that Jeanee and I worked on and all were welcomed and received except for one thing...the Christmas ornaments that she made.  As she said...they were an epic failure!!  I agree!  She and I both see humor in lots of situations and this was one.  Remember how she fixed those discs?...cutting and gluing.  When we got to our fantastic Christmas party, I was holding the treasures in a plastic Ziploc...guarding them...protecting them!  She announced about our past tradition when children were home etc. etc.

I handed them to her like jewels and she started passing them out...one by one to each attendee.  It had the effect of sitting around, passing a bowl of mints, and someone passing the bowl (mid-conversation) to the next person.  At the end of the party and cleaning up all the trappings, I saw one on a chair and quickly saved it.  Then I noticed them sprinkled all over the room!  Jeanee and I did laugh about our rejected prize.  The Epic Failure!!!  That was the only one!

Each year when the girls come they always try to trick Madeline and surprise her.  the last few years she has tried to surprise them.  One year she hid behind the pop machine at the baggage claim and went up behind them and said...Excuse me.  That is my suitcase you have.  Screams abounded on that one. For some reason, known only to women young and old,  they have always locked arms in a tight circle and jumped up and down while doing the scream.

This year the girls expected Madeline to meet them at the airport.  Plan A- She would ride out with us and that was the real plan and greet them at landing.  Uh, oh.  Forgot.  No van!  No room!

She told them about no transportation... it would be late... she'd see them tomorrow.  Plan B took form.  Madeline came into our house...dressed in black...sat scrunched down in black chair.  It was so fun and funny.  I lured girls into kitchen real quick to see a pie I'd made for them and then headed them towards bedroom so they would see Madeline when they turned around.  Tori, just literally ran past her in her excitement to go to the bedroom, didn't even notice her!!  Then Cassie saw her and they started the scream going so Tori came rushing back out, to see who was being attacked, and the duo became a trio of yelping and laughing and jumping.  I loved it!!

red-eyes and lots of happiness at Hello!!!

And when it all came to an end (2.5 weeks later) and final good-byes and promises of all sorts filling the air, it was still the same joy and enjoyment and love.

friends since they were toddlers!  This is their Good -bye.

Madeline has this uncanny ability of loving each girl with the same amount of love.  She doesn't favor or pit them against each other.  She loves and enjoys who each one is.  3 is a tough number when you put 3 girls of the same age together.  Actually 3 is a tough number for any age group of children/teens.  The girls are totally used to taking turns.  So they don't bicker over who gets to play with her.  Now they no longer really take turns.  They all 3 equally share their time and spend every minute talking...together.   Did I mention they talk all the time and love every minute of secret sharing and solving of life problems...theirs and others.  They play hard and waste no time.

Their relationship reminds me of the importance of friendships.  With true friendship, I believe, you can pick up where you left off and it's comfy and not awkward.

I love my friends and cherish them.  Those close at hand and far away.  I want to be a better friend and keep in closer touch.  I do know though that even an occasional catch-up time does wonders to all relationships.  That is how our marvelous family time was at McCall.  a bit of heaven.   My heart is just overrun with joy and gratitude.

More on that later.  right now?....I'm tired. 

Life is great, isn't it? 

And the beat goes on!!!.....

We continue to shop and ready things for our trip.  I was thinking about the fact that we do all of this preparation when actually it's not expected nor in a way is it needed, to enjoy ourselves.  I think it's the Mother in me coming out.  Just like sheets/blankets/pillows hung on clothesline, which I can't do up there as if they came home, it's just a touch of care and love.  Gratitude that they are making the effort to get together.  They are excited and we are equally excited.

It's also fun having my JeaneeGirl here.  She is like a real genie, that Jeanee of mine!  She can walk your legs off in a grocery store (or any store!) and constantly monitors my going way over the top in purchases.  We do have friction on that sometimes when she tries to put things back on the shelf that I want in the basket but it all works out and we enjoy ourselves immensely.  Two headstrong women.  She was raised in a home filled with testosterone.  She and I were the only females!  I love her independent nature.  Most of all I just love her!

In the past I have baked cakes and cookies and etc. to take and pass out daily.  Along with other meal things.  I don't like to shop while there.  I like to take things.  This year, for all sorts of reasons, but mainly, limited transportation, and Jeanee and I each driving a separate vehicle, that won't be happening.

We have all sorts of family with different dietary needs so the only sweets I'm taking are the syrups (yes.  way to many.  last night I read you only need 2 T. of that syrup for 2 cups of ice.  I got small cups that won't hold 2 cups.  we will have enough syrup on hand to last a lifetime!!)

Jeanee decided to make/freeze cookie logs and people that can eat cookies, can bake them in their own condos.  She will be tying red bows on them with the recipe.  Darling girl!

We had a delicious salmon dinner last night and she made us each a lava cake to top off our meal.  So rich but so yummy!

details that make things fun....

Jeanee and I both love details like ribbons and small surprises that make things lovely.  She is a whirlwind and I'm a tiny dust-devil.  She goes like a house afire.  I snail along.  In spite of all that we are on the same page.  She was born a peace maker and is joyful.  I'm loving our time together.

Boards she hauled from Homer.  Previously cut on Terry's sawmill by he, Kip and Greg.  Part of our old abandoned house.  Maybe chicken coop?  She is going to attach our Alaskan flag to nail-filled 2x4.  Terry has been teased to death for his use of to many nails!  It's a family inside joke!  Using other boards to make a family reunion sign.  This will be hung in our condo.  on the balcony rail in the loft bedroom.  Will be seen when you walk in. We will use it each year.  We always have the flag and in the past have used a sheet with a lot of data on it.  This will be a memory maker for our children.

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We have a Christmas celebration and even haul our tree that we put on our porch each year.  I'm thinking it's getting a little worse for wear but we will use it again.  Jeanee decided to make an ornament for each family member.  she sprayed glue on her project in that little box and then made a great ornament.  These will either be hung on the tree as decorations or on a string.  In our long ago family Christmases we decorated ornaments and then made one for each family member.  It was so much fun.  this will be similar.  Each family member will draw a name and they will write on their ornament to that person.  It will be a fun souvenir!

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Here is my darling Worker Bee.  Beeing filmed by the Queen Bee.  (Note the line of care package items being collected and all in a row!  that project is just beginning!)  She is rolling each family's T-shirts, tying with a yellow gingham bow, then tying a red bow attached to the family crest, names are written on back and she always puts hearts.  Love oozes from this girl!  Each family will be given this bundle the night before the family photo shoot.  Held in reserve until then or they will be lost or a mess so she will protect them!

The Gathering Begins...

                                Logo that Jeanee designed for our reunion!  (She is awesome!!)

 Jeanee designed and had our t-shirts printed!  We will have a family picture taken in them.  All of these shirts will be filled with fierce Norwegians!!  (frightening!)

                              Jeanee in the garage rafters finding the hot dog sticks (fancy, huh?)

                              
                                So the decision is to keep both of these and not return one...

Fun (I hope!!)

Better saddle up ol' paint and get to movin' & stop moseying around!

Oh, dear!  Has Nana/Grams/Grandmama/Grandma gone over the edge?  Will all the little ones be on a total sugar high and have their clothes all stained?  Will the Mommas be irritated?  I'm buying small, real small cups.  Maybe not as many spills?  I don't know what the McCall outcome will be but this is tucked away in the trunk of my car.

Perhaps I need an intervention?  I seem to always be tucking things in my trunk or the back of the pickup.  Remember the gate?  Well, as Miss Scarlett said....Fiddle dee dee, Ah'll think about that tuhmorra!

I think I need to return one of these that is tucked in the garage!!

We already have this....

Don't I see 4 boats of some sort above the Weber?  The kids all favor that old blue air mattress which I find so funny and endearing.  They sit afloat and visit and paddle and laze around unfazed and enjoy occasionally shoving each off in the lake.  We don't have a real boat but the kids love this sort of thing but I really do need to take one of those relaxation stations back. I admit it's overkill. 



Usually we end renting a boat and jet skis for our beach day but I don't know what we are doing this year.  At least at this point, I don't know.


Things are so different now.  Terry's stroke has impacted our life in subtle ways and it really comes to light in planning for McCall.  No van.  Me the car driver.  5 people with stuff for a week. We have always taken the truck, over-stacked and looking like hicks from the sticks, that maybe use their blue tarp covering for housing!  (couldn't he at least have bought brown?!)  We haul stuff as if we are going into the wilderness and no stores around.  You would not believe what I pack!!!  Maybe you would!

Terry keeps reminding me...you can buy stuff there.  Usually by now I have menu's planned, agenda's and theme days planned, food purchased and ready.  I even bring laundry soap for my DIL's who will have traveled several days to reach us.  I've even been known to have quarters on hand for laundry.
In the past I've cooked and made and baked and bought all sorts of food.  I have nothing done!!


As I said.  This year is different.

I have children and grandchildren that are eager to be together and relive this memory that has become so precious to us.  I have such fond memories of such great times and this year will surpass all because this year we will have even more people than before with a little gr-grandson coming for his first time.



Wonder if we can pull off another Christmas in July?  Last time we hauled our porch Christmas tree and all sorts of stocking and decorations.  It was so fun!!!


Perhaps they will have an outdoor play and everyone will indulge me and attend.  the last one we saw was absolutely dreadful and the entire audience was chortling.  I got teased to death for planning the  family cultural event!!! 


My daughter is coming in a few days-- she and I will get the details going and figure out this transportation issue and what to take.  2 massive food-filled cooler chests?  Christmas stuff?

In the meantime I look forward to getting her bedroom ready.  airing the blankets and freshly laundered sheets.  buying some fresh flowers.  tuck some chocolates that are wrapped in angel paper under her pillow.  get some books out for her to read.  seeing if I can find her some new pajamas.
making sure we have fresh blueberries in the fridge.  I might get ambitious and bake WW bread for her.  translation: might means-- it won't happen!!!

This I know...whatever gets done or doesn't get done, it will all be enough and things will turn out fine!  We will all enjoy ourselves and make one more memory for our family.  Love it!!!!