The gang was all here!

Today was a glorious day of taking it easy.  It was just me, the TV, and the couch.  I did yogic breathing exercises after my morning inhaler dosage and breathed in the wonderful air from the humidifier.  My dad had reminded me that I could do meditative or yoga breathing to help and it was funny that I needed reminding since I use some exercises whenever I need peace or calm or just relaxation.  Funny we need to be reminded to breathe, eh?  Besides this, I caught up on Fringe and had a lovely nap.  I am already breathing easier.

Now to blog about the past weekend!

My sister came to visit for a week (rare, unexpected, a gift) and so all my siblings and their spouses and child came into town to visit as well.  For two solid days it was just our family (10 and counting) - hanging out and spending time together.  I was just so grateful for all the time together.  Playing with my niece was fun and aerobic as usual.  We went swimming, made homemade pizzas (I actually didn't help but rather only ate the results, to be honest), played The Farming Game, watched Dora The Explorer and The A-Team, had a full scale Thanksgiving-style dinner, took turns entertaining the aforementioned two and a half year old, and hung out/visited./talked.

Can I just say again how grateful I am.  It is this incredible gift when we all can get together.  I have a huge extended family and a pretty good sized immediate family that is going to grow (my SIL is pregnant and due in March and my sister is engaged to be married to a wonderful man).  But when all my siblings are all together again, under the same roof, there is just something really special to me about it.

Some pictures (of the vast amount I took) of this past weekend:

My SIL takes a break from cutting my mom's hair to hang out with my brother (her hubby).

My sister and SIL looks on as my brother sets up a new toy for my niece (a racing car track).

My mom (grandma) and my niece watch Dora.

My niece sings into her microphone... a rising star!  And yes, that's a Utes t-shirt.

My sister the artist helps her niece paint a lovely picture for grandma.  Even that kid's smock is cute!

My brother and his niece make chocolate chip cookies for dessert.  

She said to him, "Yeah!  You did it all my yourself!  Good job!"  Adorable.

One final thought.  My parents have to work so hard for us to do this.  They work all day and night to keep up with everyone and they put out so much time, energy, and money for our gatherings.  I was in so much pain from over-doing it all that I was of no help at all.  Thank you mom and dad for making this weekend happen.  I am so completely grateful.  This is my tribute - a song that makes me cry every single time I hear it.

I have a family here on earth. They are so good to me.

I want to share my life with them through all eternity.

Fam’lies can be together forever through Heav’nly Father’s plan.

I always want to be with my own family,

And the Lord has shown me how I can.

The Lord has shown me how I can.

(“Families Can Be Together Forever,” Children’s Songbook, 188).

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