I realize that it seems as if I've been slacking on the blogging. In reality, we have been super busy, and on vacation. We left on 6/13 for Pennsylvania and just got back on Sunday night. Prior to leaving I had to finish a major project for the trip. We were in PA to celebrate my Grandparents' 50th Wedding Anniversary. Ma and Pa, all seven of their kids, and most of the 17 grand kids, plus extras were in attendance all week at Deer Valley. Deer Valley is the most wonderful place on earth. It is a YMCA Family Camp where cell phones don't work :) We had a fabulous time being all together. I spent a lot of time in the craft shop painting a variety of green ware. Jon and I went sailing once- that was enough to get my heart rate up. It is really hard to move in a sailboat when you are 8 months pregnant. We also made the hike to Big Springs and I watched most my family jump in. Big Springs is a large natural water spring that stays at about 50 degrees- REALLY COLD!! Jon did a lot of fishing, he also went horseback riding, he made Stella a new leash and collar, and painted a Gnome and mug in the craft shop.
We celebrated Ma & Pa's anniversary on Thursday at camp, where I finally was able to debut the project that I have been working on since last year. My mom, and a few of my aunts and uncles helped me to scan, organize, and crop 50+ years of photos to commemorate the anniversary. This was not an easy feat. My grandma takes A LOT of pictures! All in all we have 28+ GB of photo albums and digital pictures, that's more than 8 DVDs. Also, if you recall a former post, my computer died right at about the time that I was cranking through on this project. The final product turned out beautifully, and I was really touched to see Pa tearing up at the end of the show.
On Saturday, the entire family went to Pittsburgh and on Sunday we went to the church where Ma & Pa were married 50 years and 1 day earlier to witness them renew their vows to one another. It was beautiful to watch the tenderness and love in their re-commitment that they share with one another after all of these years. They truly are an inspiration to all of us, and I feel so blessed to be apart of their family.
The flight home was really uncomfortable for me. My feet swelled on Wednesday at camp, and the flight did nothing to help. My feet were about three times the size they normally are by the time we landed in Denver. The swelling has gone down a little- at least so that I can wear more than one pair of flip-flops. I am glad to be back home where it is dry and at altitude. 5 weeks to go till my due date- so much to do still.
Here are just a few pictures from the trip.
