This New Year's we had an unexpected yet memorable family reunion in Texas and Arkansas for the funeral of my nephew Lochlan. While the circumstances for the gathering may not have been ideal, I loved every minute of the time I got to spend with my family.
If there was one thing I learned from this trip, it was that I LOVE me family. A lot!
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| A quick stop at Krispy Kreme in AR for some breakfast before our drive to Dallas. |
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| Traditional Chinese dinner for New Years. |
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| We got to hear lots of mission stories from Mom! |
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| New Year's Eve kiss! "Banging" pots and pans in the hotel...trying not disturb the other guests! |
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| Our continental breakfast. What a great way to start the new year. |
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| Happy Birthday Mike |
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| Ry-guy certainly enjoyed his brownie! |
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| No Mains family gathering would be complete without a pan of brownies and ice cream. |
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| Sweet little Helen. I can't tell if she's more excited to be with her "favorite aunt" or about the pumpkin pie and brownies sitting next to us! |
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| Sister Grandma Mains with Melissa and Lilly getting ready for ice skating. |
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| We went ice skating inside the Galleria Mall in downtown Dallas. |
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| Todd & Ry-Guy |
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| Lilly can't her excitement to get on the ice. |
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| Cousin time for Tommy and Erik |
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| Aunt Jessica & Uncle Scott helping Rand stay on two feet |
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| Grandma taking a break from the ice with the Carlisle, PA crew. |
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| Our first time ice skating together. |
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| Uncle Jospeh & Uncle Todd coaching Rand |
After our adventures in Texas, we moved the party to Arkansas to Todd & Chris's home in Bentonville.
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| Melissa, me, Bekah, Jessica, Nann (and baby Lucy!) |
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| I walked into the family room to see if anyone wanted to play a game! This is what I found! |
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| Uncle Scott giving Erik his first violin lesson. |
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| Nails with the girls! |
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| Cycling at the gym with Chris and Jessica (not pictured). Todd let me borrow his bike pants. They made the bike seat incredibly more comfortable. |
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| We spent a LOT of time in the kitchen trying to feed so many mouths. |
Of course, what would a Mains family gathering be without working on a few home improvement projects. "Many hands make light work!"
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| Ry-Guy helping Dad put down some mortar. |
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| Todd, David, and Joseph laying stone in the fireplace before a new one is installed. |
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| David and his trusty Husqvarna |
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| Evidence of a hard day's work for the men. |
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| David and Nann's property in Arkansas. |
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Lilly playing in her new "backyard"
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We went to the Crystal Bridges Musuem in Bentonville. We had a great time and probably spent more time in the children's center playing around that actually looking at the art!
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| An original from Porter Rockwell |
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| Recognize that picture? It's upside down on the wall and made out of thread! |
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| Jessica taking a look through the "magic" glass ball |
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| Trying to recreate a painting in the museum with audio clues. My final art looked NOTHING like the original that was being described to me. |
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| Making snowflakes out of coffee filters |
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| Play time for the adults |
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| We loved the modern architecture of the museum. |
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| Uncle Joseph with Erik |
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| A panorama shot of the Crystal Bridges Museum |
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| Killing some time in the Bentonville, AR airport before our flight wins. Joseph won the game. |
Pretty sure I was trying not to throw up in the bathroom during that spin class shot. Bleh.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you guys had a lot of fun! Your Mom looks great!
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