Bend Left

Last night while chatting I had the idea to do a surprise celebration for Dylan's birthday a day early, with all of his cousins around.

This morning I went out and got a cake for Dylan. I convinced family members to stay around and gathered people up. By 10 we were all packed up and ready to go so we told the kids we were going to say goodbye to everyone. I went down to the house first with all the people and the cake and got it ready for Dylan to come in. When he walked in and we all yelled surprise he was in shock. He went bright red and wanted to hide. Poor kid.

I think he warmed up to the idea when he saw the toys on the cake, the ice cream and the candles. I mistakenly bought those magic relighting candles. I had no idea. Very funny. It was nice that we were able to have a lot of family around to wish him a happy birthday. Sadly, it doesn't mean that he doesn't want cake and ice cream again tomorrow.

After the food it was time to say goodbye and cry. Another 10 1/2 hours and we are home. We've only been gone for 5 days, but it feels so good to be home.

Dylan walks in and we yell.
He is in shock, we can tell.
We ate up the cake.
One I didn't make.
He smiles. We know all is well.

Bend Right

I'm going to speak as if it were yesterday, as yesterday didn't actually end until today at 2am. Thus, know that when I say, "today," I mean Sunday.

Today we went to church at 10, my favorite time for church. I also love going to another ward on fast Sunday. You learn a lot about the ward in a short amount of time.

After church we went home for some quick family pictures. I use the term “quick” loosely. Then we had a delicious hamburger feast.

Next we were heading to a place called Tumalo Falls. You can drive right up to the falls. The whole clan decided to go except for some moms with young kids. It was a challenge to drive caravan style to the falls. There were 8 cars in the line. So, we lost people and drove around in circles, many times. It was amazing that we all ended up at the falls at the same time. It was a really beautiful place. We were able to follow a short trail up to the top of the falls. At one point someone, who shall remain nameless, saw some younger cousins walking along a trail under where this person was standing looking down. So, this said someone, grabbed someone who was a proficient spitter and told that person to spit on the poor kids below. The spitter missed the first two people, but beautifully hit poor Mark. It was awesome. Good times, good times.

Later was fireworks shot off the top of Pilot Butte. We found a viewing spot on a hill and watched. It was cool to watch. I love fireworks. Unfortunately, Orion fell and wanted to go back to the car to get cleaned up. Fortunately we could still see from the car.

We have had really bad sleep hours here because we are always up late talking. We were so tired, so we decided to just go say goodbye to all the clan since everyone was leaving Monday morning and head to bed. We made it through one house fairly quickly. Hugs and promises to see each other more often all around. Then we went to say goodbye to Kenneth's twin uncles who are only 11 years older than he is. They asked us to sit and we did. We didn't leave there until 1:30am and didn't finally get to bed until 2. So tired, so very tired, but so worth it.

We had such a fun time with everyone. Big thanks to Grammy Evie for making it possible for everyone to be there. Big thanks to Mom Rawlings for arranging all the details for all of her kids. Big thanks to Scott who was the reunion guy this time around. I feel so blessed to be a part of the Rawlings clan. They are an amazing family with a lot of wonderful people whom I love to be around.

Tumalo Falls was where we went.

Driving in circles all patience was spent.

Someone spit on Mark's head.

Something we should all dread.

Building relationships was what this time meant.

Bend Backward

This was a pretty relaxed day, nothing too exciting for our little family. I woke up not feeling very well. So while Kenneth and the four oldest went on a hike I took Dylan with me and we went to pick up a prescription. We returned at the exact same time as the hikers. We had lunch and I took a nap.

Then we went to play in the pool. It was a little chilly still, but they sun was out... most of the time. Also, there's always a hot tub when it was too cold.

Back to the house where we had dinner and chatted. Mom Rawlings always prepares wonderful meals.

After eating we headed over to another of the clan's cabins to watch a video of Grammy in a tu-tu. It was funny. Sophia, Theron, Orion and Dylan stayed there and watched Alice in Wonderland while Ian went to babysit so the adults could go see Eclipse. I'm not going to comment on the movie other than to say that this guy, Dan, has really ruined Twilight for me now. After reading his posts I can no longer take the books or movies seriously, but his posts make me laugh a lot.

Today we swam in the pool.
The air outside was still cool.
I slept in my bed.
Eddie ripped off a head.
And Jasper's still such a tool.

Bend Forward

Today was a "Let's do all the fun/crazy traditional reunion games" day. We headed to a park this morning for a picnic and games. It was cold and rainy. That doesn't stop Rawlings. We are all about the challenge. What I love about this family is that most of them are not afraid to get crazy and compete and have some fun. The sun did come out by the time it was game time.

The first game was a three-legged race. I now have some super cool rope bruises from that race. We did not win, but we did not lose, so all is well. My children though, did win. Theron dragged Dylan along and Dylan did not fall down and so they won.

Next was that super, SUPER, awkward game where you pass an orange from person to person under chins. Have you seen this game? It is so excessively embarrassing and seemingly inappropriate when applied to married people, siblings and for some, near strangers. This clip is from one of my favorite movies, Charade. This is basically what we were doing. Some were able to avoid too much inappropriate touching and others were not so lucky. It was hilarious and crazy. I was so embarrassed. I'm sure my face was bright red and I kept screaming that this was not okay. We did it anyway.



Next was men's tug-of-war and women's shoe kicking. Kenneth's team won twice on the tug-of-war and I did not kick my shoe far.

Next was whistling after eating crackers. I can't whistle well without eating crackers let alone with them in my mouth. Funny and messy.

I won the jellybean guessing contest. I may have screamed like a lunatic when I won. I might need to work on my good winner skills again. I did share them, that counts for something right?

Tonight we went to dinner with the whole family. We were the only party in the restaurant and it was a BIG group. We were celebrating Kenneth's Grammy's 90th b-day. This woman is amazing. She has lived an amazing life. She is one of the strongest women I've ever known. She is still healthy and going strong.

I am happy to be a part of this family. It's been great getting reacquainted with them and having fun with them.

The Rawlings, not one is the same.
We went to the park to play games.
An orange under the chin.
You pass it to win.
Don't drop it or names will be named.

Bend

photo courtesy of gonorthwest.com 

It's not a command, it's just a suggestion. I'm blogging from Bend, OR tonight. We are here for the reunion of the Doc and Evelyn Rawlings Family. Fun times, fun times.

The best part of the day was hugging Orion after not seeing him for 3 weeks. He had a wonderful time with Nana and crew, but I'm so glad he's back with us.

I'm tired and since you've heard the stories of our driving days refer to Day 16 of the previous traveling post to see what today was like if you are unfamiliar with our driving style. This day was a much more leisurely pace though with a drive of only 10 1/2 hours and only one stop, sweet.

Since I wore out my use of the simple haiku last time around, this time I will dazzle you with my prowess in limericks. Yes, you read that correctly. This will be my first limerick outside of English class back in the last century. Here goes.

My family, we drove very far.
We drove very far in the car.
Drove to Oregon's Bend.
Oh, when will this end?
Just kidding, hardy har har.

Fly Away

This was Orion's year to leave us for his first foray into time away from parents for an extended period of time. Off to Seattle, drive to Canada, spend a week, drive back to Seattle and then down to Medford, OR, spend a few weeks there and then up to Bend, OR., where we will meet him. Luckily, as you all know, a lot of driving is cake to this kid.

He was super excited; I was a little wary. I don't like sending my child away. I know he will love it and I know he really wanted to go. He was so sweet, as we were packing he came up to me and put his arms around me and said, "I'm going to miss you." I think he was doing it just to be nice to me, but it felt great. He was able to fly last year, so at least that was not new to him. He was very cool about it all. There was another unaccompanied minor flying with him. That always makes me feel a little better. They did sit together, but he said they didn't speak until the plane was preparing for landing. So funny. He was busy with his DS and she was busy with her iPod... modern kids.

We spoke the morning after he arrived and he seemed very happy to be there. This year is different because he will have cousins from North Carolina there with him. He felt so lucky to be able to spend more time with them.

Thanks to Nana and Opah for taking him on. We will really miss him here, especially his best friend/worst enemy, Dylan.

Wrapping up March

The kids had their annual taekwondo party in March. They get prizes and have a school photo taken and then eat until they puke. It's great.

At the end of March Kenneth's sister, Aenea, was able to visit us from North Carolina. It's been years since I've seen her, so it was so great to spend time with her. Kenneth was able to take some time off work and hang out with her. We took her to the dinosaur museum and took the customary photo in front of the shark.

We had a ward primary talent show. Theron played "The Entertainer" on the piano. He did great.

Sophia sang, while her friend, Alle, played the piano for her. They did "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." I thought they did a wonderful job. I was very impressed with all the kids who had the guts to get up in front of everyone and perform.

Orion is participating in swimming lessons now with Dylan and cousin Samuel. He loves it and they are all doing super good.

We also went to the BYU Museum of Art to see the Walter Wick, of the "I Spy" books fame, exhibit. It is amazing. It's there through Aug 1st. We went with the Maroneys, Morrisons, and Harkers and met up with the Bakers in time for ice cream. It was a really fun afternoon.

Pelo Family Reunion: Day 2 (with a little Rawlings action thrown in for good measure)

The second day of our reunion was a Sunday. It started early with us attending my parent's ward in Orem at 9 am. My dad is the bishop there and thus he has special privilege. The type that allows you to ask all your children and grandchildren to stand up so everyone can look at them. It was sweet really. We made up a good amount of the congregation.

After church we headed to my sister's in Pleasant Grove for lunch. It was so good. It was basically my favorite things that we always have at gatherings with my family: jello, cheesy potato casserole, rolls, lunch meat, yummy baked beans, and a jello/cottage cheese salad. There's also a green salad, but I usually try to stay away from healthy stuff when there's all that other food to indulge in.

After lunch my parents did a little speech and testimony, very moving.

Then the grandkids all sang Love is Spoken Here. It was beautiful.

I had such a wonderful time with my family. It was so very busy, but worth it. I'm grateful that the three families who live out of the state were able to be there as well. Families are the best and I feel so blessed to have been born into mine and married into another amazing one.

After we finished up with the Pelos we headed home for a brief stay before we headed up to Kenneth's sister in West Valley for her daughter, Sierra's, family birthday party.

She was turning 3. Her birthday is actually on Halloween, but we were celebrating on Sunday for ease. She is super cute and I can't believe that she is 3.

She is a princess and showed us her Halloween costume while we were there. I feel blessed to live close to some of Kenneth's family as well.

Pausitiv

My internet was down for awhile this evening, so to fulfill my attempt at blogging daily here is a quick one. My bro-in-law, Christopher, has been scanning his family's old slides. He started a website called Pausitiv. Kenneth says it stands for pausing the positive, you know, like most photographs. He just started it, so for now I hope you enjoy the picture of young Kenneth feeding the pigeons. So darn cute.