Kerry Pettingill Reunion: Elba, Idaho

Adam and Lynnette were in charge of our reunion this year, and I have to admit, at first it was a bit underwhelming to hear that we were going to be spending it in Elba where we always go especially since we already have another reunion planned there in July, BUT it was the most fun I've had with my family and I am so glad we were able to spend more time with Grandpa Pettingill. He was so happy to have us all there visiting with him for a weekend. There were 17 great grand kids and 14 adults staying in his little double wide cabin. There was a glow about him; he was just beaming the whole time we were there and there were only a handful of times he had to get after one of the grand kids. Every family took turns preparing a meal for everyone and they were all so delicious and filling. I am also grateful that Joseph and Tim's family came even though they were are in the middle of moving into new houses. We really missed Becky's family; it would've made it a perfect weekend to have them there.

As far as activities go we were able to go and do whatever we wanted. All the grand kids thought it was so fun to be able to drive the four wheelers around by themselves. Adam and a few others fixed part of grandpa's fence for him, and cleaned up all the garbage out in the pasture. We did some fishing in the pond for an hour and Linley and Grady both caught fish. We played games, and the kids went exploring in the hollows. We watched all of grandpa's hummingbirds flitting around and sited a couple of bluebirds. We went to church on Sunday then went for a guided hike to Cable Rock where we looked for Fairy Shrimp, Brad's family went fishing and caught 5 fish that they brought back and cooked up. Boy were they good! I gave a Family Home Evening lesson on successful and lasting relationships, and we also went shooting for half a day. Monday was the most depressing day with wind and rain all day. It let up for a couple hours by the afternoon, just enough time for Wade and Vernae, Grandpa, Dad, and I to go visit the cemetery.

Grandpa has a new bunk house where all the boys slept while all the girls slept in the pool room. I ended up staying in a room in the house with Hannah and Lucas on the floor although I have to give Lucas some credit because he slept in the new bunk house with Zander and Tyson the first night without any incidences. I'm pretty sure Zander wore the same outfit for all four days we were there. I think I had a better time this time because I was actually able to go out and do activities without feeling tied to the house because of Hannah, so a huge thank you to mom who watched her for me so I could get away a few times. Also a big thank you to Joseph and Trish who helped me on the hike with my kids. I never would've made it back without you.

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

We got some new family pictures over the weekend! Originally I was really looking forward to having them taken in a grassy meadow filled with blooming wildflowers with clear blue skies and the green mountains in the background. I have had this image in my head for a year now, and I have been waiting for an opportunity to go to Elba to take them. First off, Mother Nature had other plans in mind as it was cloudy and rainy all weekend and because of all the rain we've gotten over the past two weeks the wildflowers are behind their bloom times by a few weeks. So Dad suggested we take them at the City of Rocks, so that's we did. I had mom and dad take our pictures instead of a professional photographer, and I think we got a few good ones. I can't wait to get them on my wall!

We found a window early Saturday morning where there was a little bit of blue sky showing so we promptly left after breakfast to take them. It was perfect timing too because as soon as we took our last picture it started raining. I was really afraid that Hannah was going to be a grump to have to take pictures, but she loved it! She was all about posing and saying "Cheese" or "Peaches" and they all had a fun time exploring and climbing the rocks. It was cold despite what it looks like in the pictures, so between takes we had to put coats on. I let each of the kids find their own spots to do their portrait pictures so they were more willing to do what I asked since they got to be in their own spot. So without further ado:

Mother's Day

I love being a mom to these three children of mine. They bring me so much joy and a ton of laughter...along with gray hair from all the bad days we have, but the moments of joy and laughter trump all of that. I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything.

Stephen took the boys to the store so they could pick out their own gift for me this year, and I was very touched that he let them do just that, and that they chose to get me a game for all of us to play together--Yeti in my Spaghetti, and a couple of funny books. I love that they were thinking of something to do with me.

I understand that being a mom is hard work and a lot of times a thankless job. A lot of moms just want one day--Mother's Day to get away from all that. It's kind of ironic. Mother's Day is a day where your family is celebrating you and you just want to get away from them. I feel the exact opposite. I wanted to spend my time with my kids so they know how much I love and appreciate them because they are who made me a mother in the first place.

I love that Stephen tried, and succeeded, to make my day special and pamper me by helping the kids make a full American breakfast complete with sausage, eggs, and pancakes (mine being a perfect medium rare. Yum!) and then making ribs and chocolate chip cookies for dinner. I wouldn't be half the mother I am without Stephen by my side. To my loving husband and goofy, awesome kids: Thank you; I love you.

Easter

Easter was pretty low key this year, but it was fun. We went up to Uncle Loren's house for dinner and an egg hunt for the kids. They all had a blast playing with cousins, and surprise! Loren puts money in some of his eggs, so the boys were double excited for that.