Non-Water Conservation

I've mentioned before that I'm not much of an environmentalist. I drink from store-bought water bottles, I've never taken reusable bags to a grocery store, and  I'm not ashamed to admit that during my 13 1/2 year stint changing diapers, I used nothing but disposable diapers.

I wish I could admit I think differently about using water, but I don't. I tend to leave the water running when I brush my teeth and sometimes I fill the bathtub as high as it can go. I try to remember that I live in a desert and sometimes a drought is imminent, but I guess I've always been spoiled enough to turn on a tap and have water come out. I'll admit. I take water for granted.

So it came as a little bit of a shock to me tonight when I was about to open my mouth to tell Mike he was completely and unquestionably wasting water. But then again, I surmised it was at least a 100 degree day here in our neck of the woods and if water came out of our hose, we were darn well going to use it.

As we sat outside on our patio this evening following our not-so balanced dinner of salsa and guacamole, Mike opted to cool us off by creating a "mist."

Drew obviously misinterpreted Mike's invitation to them to play in the water. Mike said, "Come here and I'll shower you, and Drew took that to mean literally, that he was "getting in the shower."

On the bright side, Drew only had one article of clothing to remove.
On the not-so bright side, we don't have a fenced in back yard and our house backs onto a city park which though typically is not visited much, had visitors tonight.

So the streaking naked through the hose didn't last more than a few seconds before Drew was sent inside to find a swimming suit.

(I had to laugh when our friend pointed out to us last week how ironic it is that Drew streaks around in his underwear 99% of the time, yet when playing in water always wears a swimming suit and a swimming shirt. Doesn't really make sense now, does it?!)

Of course before too long, all the kids wanted in on the fun. And so there we sat on the patio doing nothing more than wasting water.

 Well I really shouldn't say "nothing more than wasting water." After all, we were making a memory. Just last week a friend who has "raised his children" told me his wife's motto is, "I'd rather make a memory than a bed."
 

Who cares if we twist it slightly and say instead, "We'd rather make a memory than conserve water."

And that's what we do on a hot summer eve.

A Near Perfect Reunion

After planning a family reunion for the last several months, and seeing it carried it out last weekend, I've made a mental note of key things to factor in if I ever plan another one.

*  GOOD HELPERS
I have to say that having good, willing helpers was a major part of the success of the reunion. I wish I had captured more photos of people stepping in and lending a helping hand. There were a select few that really went above and beyond helping out. It was greatly appreciated.

(I must point out the same shirts in the above photos that weren't the reunion shirts. A few of the men had on the same shirts and it sure confused a few reunion attendees.)

*  REUNION SHIRTS
I couldn't help but smile each time I saw somebody new had put on their reunion shirt. It made the long hours  of reunion planning all the more worth it. I know matching t-shirts aren't for everyone, but it just felt inclusive and heart-warming to see so many branches of a family tree together in one place wearing the same shirt.

*  A GREAT LOCATION
Pretty much due to popular demand, we repeated the same location as the 2006 reunion. Family members from Utah, California and Arizona gathered at Cherry Hill to camp, play in the water, and enjoy being together. I continue to be touched by the financial effort and time from work so many from out of state put into attending the reunion. Hundreds of dollars in gas, travel expenses and time off of work to be with extended family. A wonderful example of devotion to family ties.

*  FUN IN THE SUN
Seeing my children spend so much time with extended cousins touched my heart for hours during the day on Saturday. My children's grandparents and cousins weren't in the water much, and I was so glad for how much time they spent with their AZ cousins. Earlier in the day, I overheard someone telling their children about 2nd and 3rd cousins. That doesn't matter to me. "Numbers" don't mean anything. Relationships do. I love so many of our dear extended cousins.

Some people would have preferred a one-day visit together at a park. But those don't work as well in my opinion. Families stick with families initially--yet 2-3 days spent together really makes for some wonderful bonding and memories for each branch to reach out to others.

* A FEW SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
For the most part, family reunions are about visiting together. And too often at parties I throw I try to be too rigid and scheduled about activities. Mike has helped me see the benefits of "letting things be" and so with this reunion, very little was scheduled. Of course a few activities thrown in for kids was a guarantee.

* A NON-TALENT SHOW
Of course being a "married-in" Sowby, I haven't spent a lifetime attending these reunions. Yet, I have heard enough about the once-upon-a-time-talent-show portion of them to know that few are broken-hearted they didn't continue over time. I myself am not a fan at all of talent shows. Now a variety show, is fine by me. But no stuffy talents please at a family reunion. A "get-to-know you introduction" was all that was necessary at this one.

(I wish I'd have gotten a picture of all of the "introductions."

*BONDING
As I snapped the below top photo of three cousins all the same age, who with one other cousin used to hang around together at family reunions as young children, I couldn't help but smile that as soon as I snapped the picture, I turned and saw the bottom photo scene. From one generation to the next... Why oh why do some think reunions should die away?

(Cousins Amber, Karla Ann and Karena)

(Cousins Cheyenne, Sienna and Megan, Cousins Chevy, Ryan and Sarah)

* A GOOD NAP
Not that I would know anything about a nap at this reunion. But fortunately for some, napping was possible.

Hmmm-it would appear that Mike got more than one nap in. Not that I was counting or anything. As for Drew, he can take as many naps as he'd like.

(Mike, Drew, Joshua, Cousin George)

*  TWO BOYS, ONE NAME

If you didn't think our Luke Sowby was enough for the world. There is one more. A darling little one from CA. So fun!

*  BIKES

It was fabulous to have a plethora of bikes to choose from at any given time. Whether it was a run to the garbage can, the bathroom, or the water slides. The bikes were a big hit.

* FAVORITES

I could spend hours more putting up every single photo from the reunion, but I can't and shouldn't. Some of my favorite memories really weren't captured with a camera anyways. 

*A LITTLE MISCELLANEOUS

*  A SENSE OF HUMOR

Definitely a necessity. Too bad I didn't have one about more things... Least I can laugh about how awful I must have looked while... what? Bossing everyone around? Not that I'd ever do anything like that.

Oh Heaven help us all!

* A LEGACY

In 2006 I planned the last Sowby reunion in Utah (very similarly to this one). As the weekend ended in 2006, I felt a bond with George Isaac and Annie Martine Sowby.  Though both passed away before my lifetime, let alone before I myself became a Sowby, I couldn't help but feel of their spirit as I watched their descendants gather together both in 2006 and last week. I really can't describe my feelings. So I'm not going to anymore. They're too personal and spiritual to attempt to share.

Megan really went to town making this big poster board to display. Luke was absolutely fascinated when a few days before the reunion I told him that the cousins he would see at the reunion had the same great-great-great grandpa as his that he did the ancestor essay about last spring. (You can read it HERE or HERE.) My children loved seeing that from (the star of Luke's essay) Isaac Sowersby came George Isaac and then all the reunion attendees. What a marvelous gathering!

(Some, but not all of the 85 total reunion attendees.)

Despite the handful of things that put a little damper on the weekend, I would do it all over again. It was worth it. I'm a pretty nice cousin in-law to have done this not once, not twice, but three times. 
Even if I do say so myself!


(And I can say that publicly, because really--is anyone still even reading this? That was A LOT of writing and photos to read/look through.)

July 4th Tradition Continues

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. July 4th--Independence Day is my favorite holiday.

Yes. The girl who was once a "proper English school girl" and the person who couldn't say they were an American citizen until four years ago absolutely LOVES July 4th. I always feel flattered when a dear friend tells me I am the most "patriotic person" he knows.

Even though England does and always will hold a tender place in my heart, and I sing "God Save The Queen" frequently throughout the year, especially on important England occasions, I believe that America truly is a "choice land." I feel blessed to live in this country, and I'm am "Proud to be an American."

Our house knows when the calendar turns the page into July...

This year we started off July 4th attending our local city parade. Thank you to the kindness and generosity of some stellar people that live along the parade route, we were able to ride our bikes and skip any reserving spots or setting out chairs early. It was a fairly short and sweet parade. 

The fact that a stuffed animal literally landed in Megan's lap from a passing parade entry was nothing short of perfect. Drew has a strange fascination with stuffed animals (only child of mine that has ever had an interest in them) and he thought he had died and gone to heaven when Megan handed to him this silly stuffed animal dog.

Big kudos to my dear husband who tolerated the small city parade. In fact, I do believe I even saw him smile a few times during it. (He detests parades.) 


After the parade, it was "all hands to the deck" to prepare for our Annual Water Baseball BBQ. It was a smaller crowd than years past. What with my BFF's family out of town and my two brothers and their families moved away. 

Without those two brothers, our baseball game was much less regulated and rule abiding, but it was still the highlight of my summer. Besides, who really needs to run to each base when you're getting drenched in the face?

Just as we thought the party was over, our dear neighbors came and joined us and the fun continued. I love summer evenings spent sitting on the back patio eating and visiting while children (and adult) play. It was a near-perfect summer's day. 
I love Independence Day! Even if we did forget our annual Pledge of Allegiance on the front porch, or the singing of the National Anthem. 
Oh well. You can't do it all.

All Family

This afternoon (Monday) our house feels very quiet. For the last 8 days we have had 23 different cousins float in and out of our house. We loved every minute of it. (Well, for the most part. The 361 cups that seemed to adorn my counters for 8 days got slightly cluttery.)

Mike and I were flattered that so many of the cousins we love from AZ and CA would love to stay at our house, considering our house is already crazy and chaotic enough with the 7 of us.

We had children galore running amuck through the house, yard and neighborhood for days. Bikes, swimsuits, towels, shoes, cups, snack wrappers, socks and toys were strewn all over the house and yard for a week. But OH!!! WHAT FUN!! It really truly was.

And before you ask. Because everyone has. No, it was not my side of the family. It is Mike's side of the family. Several of his 2nd and 3rd cousins. I love them dearly.

 Katie from CA, Emily from UT, Joshua, Dakota from AZ, Ellie and Sienna from AZ

 Cousin Christene and Shannon, Damon, Amber (all from AZ) and Ricky and Katie (from CA)

We had pony rides, long visits on the patio, delicious desserts, crafts, communal meals, sleep-overs, movies and enough trampoline jumping each day that you'd think a long scheduled nap could have happened every afternoon. It never did. 

Cousin Seth from CA--He cooked dinner for us once when our 10 year olds were newborns. I like to have him cook for me every chance I get. (Including last March when Mike and I visited California.)

Mike and Sarah licking the brownie batter bowl. Even though only Mike's hand is showing, he was guilty of plenty of licking too.

 Cousins Jennifer and Shannon (sisters from AZ) and a few of the masses visiting the horses.

Cousin Nicki and Megan were enlisted to help tame the wild bed-hair.

Mons, Seth and Mike relaxing after dinner. Well, as much as you can relax with as many children as there were to interrupt some or all of us!

 All hands to the deck.
 Everyone was GREAT to jump in and help with food prep and clean-up.

Drew, Conner and Ryan, Luke, Joshua, Hannah, Ellie and Megan, Sarah

The goats! How could Hank and Lily not have been a part of the week?!?

(Cousin George telling a story to Drew and Joshua)

Katie and Ricky, Hannah and Conner, Dakota, Sienna and Chevy
Drew, Sarah and Ryan, Joshua

It was the perfect kick-off to an (almost) perfect Sowby Family Reunion at the end of the week. (More on that later...)