"All Aboard!"

I have been looking forward to this last week for months and it didn't disappoint. It was exhausting and busy and sometimes a little overwhelming (when, for instance, there were twenty family members and significant others all together in one place; or when we were in a public crowd and my three-year-old was running happily every which way and my one-year-old was getting passed around and it was a challenge to keep an eye on them; or when we were on a crowded plane for five hours). But, even with the challenges, it was well worth it all.

The highlights?

Airplane

Well, to begin with, I love every reminder of how many wonderful people there are out there. Sometimes we all get a little depressed and feel like the world is falling to pot. But then there are those moments when we realize that there are many incredibly kind people out there-- not just philosophically kind, but genuinely, practically kind. While hauling two children on and off airplanes, there were specifically three men who went out of their way to give me help-- one did it twice, once while boarding he helped Caleb get up the stairs and after disembarking off the tiny airplane onto the runway, he brought the stroller to me so I could take the boys into the airport. The last time someone helped me, I almost started crying, I was so grateful to have met such thoughtful, helpful people.

Also on the airplane, I was amused to find what kept my children content-- ripping magazines. I was a little reluctant to allow them to continue once it happened accidentally. However, I know they are replaceable, and I concluded that the airline staff would probably prefer my kids ripping magazines than screaming and crying and kicking seats. And while I had quite a mess to clean up afterwards, I intend to allow it again if it can be as successful a second time, because it's an awesome, cheap, unexpected solution.

Phoenix

Seeing my brother and also meeting my soon-to-be sister-in-law was another incredible bonus of this trip. I think my brother is getting a stellar deal in a wife. And I can't help be completely shocked that she's going to take on him and his crazy family (including me, myself, and I), but I've decided not to give her a reality check and try to dissuade her because if she thinks she wants to join us, then we will gladly have her and count ourselves blessed, blessed, blessed!

I also got to see my niece-- and it was a delight. I've been fortunate to get to spend quite a bit of time with her during the last year, since she spent a month at my parents' house while we were living there. I love every chance I get to see her and to get to know her better. At eleven, she's growing up and almost a young lady now.

Flagstaff

A lunch full of family. I have to admit that this particular gathering was a little overwhelming for me. But seeing everyone (aunt, uncles, cousins, great-aunt, great-uncle, second cousin), and especially meeting fiancees and girlfriends who will/may join the family was wonderful.

My grandparents interacting with my boys. Not every kid gets to know their great-grandparents, and there is an amazing joy in seeing these generations being buoyed up with love. My grandma is a hands-on great-grandma who threw snowballs with Caleb and read books to Caleb and talked to Eli (the crazy boy was INSANELY clingy the whole week though and mostly went to me and my dad). My grandpa is in a lot of pain and keeps to himself and his TV a lot. Many times, when he does interact, it's to tell stories to the grown ups. So it was special for me when he picked Caleb up or teased Caleb or shook Eli's hand or waved to him from across the room.

My grandpa being sweet to my grandma. After the big lunch my grandma had prepared and set up for, and after the party had died down, my grandma went to her chair and said, "I'm going to rest for a minute." My grandpa said to her (joking), "Nope, you can't." And then when she sat down, he patted her leg affectionately. My grandpa isn't the romantic type, but sometimes in the last couple years I've observed these little things he does or says that show how much he loves and appreciates and values my grandma.

The Polar Express. http://www.thetrain.com/polar-express-5679.html My grandma had done this before with some of my cousins about ten years ago. It wasn't hugely extravagant, but somehow it was just wonderful. Christmas music played, cookies were handed out, hot chocolate was passed around, the North Pole was viewed, Santa Claus came aboard, bells were dispersed. My favorite was all the family interaction-- seat hopping and chatting and yelling jokes to each other. Caleb's favorite was the treats (according to his own words) but he lit up over the lights in the tunnel and he gave Santa a hug (probably because his cousin told him repeatedly that he should give Santa a hug). Eli's favorite thing hands down was the cookie-- which he shared with me, then took from Grandpa, then got from Autumn, then tried to steal from Caleb. He also loved the bell.

Skyping with Patrick. What a wonderful thing for me that my boys love their dad. And what a wonderful thing that Skype exists in the world. While skyping, Caleb blew kisses at his dad and told him about all the things we'd done. While skyping, Eli learned to stick his tongue out to make a funny face. It was so funny to watch him touching his tongue to see what it felt like.

Well, this is quite long, and while looking at pictures I kept seeing more awesome things we did and wonderful people we saw, but I did just say "highlights," so there you have a few. I'm so glad we went! Thanks to my grandma and my mom and dad for making it happen!