Moose Family Reunion – Part 2

Church didn’t start until 1pm on Sunday so we had a large bacon, eggs, and pancake breakfast cooked by my dad and Andrew.  Emily and I had talked awhile ago about pulling out my wedding dress and that morning seemed like an opportune time.  It happened to fit really well so we both put on our fancy dresses and twirled together.

This snowballed into my mom getting out her wedding dress, which she hadn’t worn since her wedding almost 30 years ago.  We sat with her while she went through the contents of her cedar chest and saw all of her childhood treasures while she worked her way to the bottom to the dress.  It was in good condition and fit her too.  We embraced the moment because how cool is it to have TWO generations of wedding dress wearers with dresses that actually fit?!

The kids enjoyed lots of time with Grandpa Moose, Uncle Derick, Uncle Brian and Aunt Christine – a rare treat with all of their busy schedules and current living locations.  Both Derick and Brian laughed hysterically while Laura sucked on their finger because it felt weird (two independent times and neither was aware of the others experience, which made it all the funnier to me). Laura also enjoyed playing with the baby toys and it was fun to see them out again.  Nathan loves the little John Deere tractors and combine that are at my parents house and would disappear to play with them quietly by himself.

After dress pictures Emily was in a picture taking mood so we took some of each other.  She requested silly faces.

Church was fun because my dad was released from being a bishop a few weeks ago so we actually got to see him in the morning at during church! He taught the Sunday School lesson and I loved hearing part of it (until Laura started fussing and we left – all of us  siblings actually so we could go be with Christine who had been gone all morning playing in the band for high school graduation).

When everyone was home we jumped right into dinner preparations.  Laura loved chewing on the little high chair that my parents have.  I caught her looking at Nathan with her special adoring look for him!

The kids have been really interested in building fires so we made sure to do one this trip.  We had to wait until evening when the shade covered the fire pit because it was sooooo hot before then.  Andrew helped the kids build the fire and then we all enjoyed chatting and eating s’mores.  Brian helped to keep the fire going with his amazing oboe playing lungs.  Christine returned from singing at seminary graduation in time to eat some dinner and grab a s’more.

That was the end of the reunion.  Derick was gone by 4:00am, dropped off by my Dad in Chicago.  We packed up and headed home in the morning.  The kids didn’t sleep well while we were there (surprise! – hehe) so I was super zombie exhausted and Andrew did most of the driving back.

I’m so grateful for the chance we all had to be together.  Nathan wants to go back so bad.  He brings it up all day long and tries to casually get us to head out, “Let’s go to Grandpa Moose’s house.  Yeeessss! Let’s do that!”  He also pretends he’s driving there in all sorts of cars – the couch, pillows, a chair, the piano bench, constructed tractors out of blankets and pillows, play structures at the park – he really wants to go back!