Memorial Day

Brian, Elliott and I went up to Georgetown to my Moms for Memorial Day weekend. Originally we thought all of my siblings would make it, but then Liz's Grandpa passed away and she is getting super close to having her baby and then Craig needed to work and couldn't come. Brian and I went up on Friday. Then on Saturday afternoon, Scott and Liz and the kids arrived, along with Keith. Then David and Celeste and Enoch arrived. Grandma and Grandpa Eliason came over for Brittany's birthday cake and right before she blew out her candles, Craig and Holly and Emily surprised us all. They left about 10 minutes after Craig got home from work and were able to drive up from Logan for the weekend. It was so awesome! It was the first time we were all together since the hour spent at the airport when Keith returned from his mission.

We went as a family up to the Georgetown Cemetary to visit my Dads grave. It was very nice to be together. My dad is still very much a part of our lives.

(That is my Moms awesome truck behind us!)

Georgetown is a quiet beautful little town and is so peaceful and relaxing to visit.

This is Liz's mean-mommy look, probably telling her kids not to step on the graves.

Craig, Holly and Emily are sporting their tye-dye shirts we made at the Cook reunion last year. (Ours didn't turn out as well.)

It was cold on Friday and Saturday, but started warming up on Sunday. We roasted hot dogs and smores for dinner in the back yard.

Keith's fiance Rachael had to work on Saturday and we missed her at the family gathering, but were so glad she could spend Sunday with us. They will be getting married on July 2, so that should be another big Cook family party! Isn't Rachael gorgeous?! We are so excited for her and Keith!

Here are all the Cook grandkids - five boys and two girls - just like me and my siblings! Although not for long! Clockwise from top right: Emily, Willard, Joselyn, Elliott, Ephraim, Enoch, and Benjamin.

The boys playing cars on the homemade car mat - just a large cardboard box and markers and a little imagination go a long way! Elliott now LOVES cars. It was so fun watching him play with and watch his cousins!

Here are 3 of the 4 E's: Enoch, Elliott and Ephraim. (We didn't plan it - it just happened that way, along with Emily!)

We made a family tradition Grandma Pace cake for Brittany's birthday. Willard and Joey helped make the frosting and even helped frost the double-layered delight. Then Ephraim helped eat the leftover frosting. Yummm -powdered sugar, butter, vanilla and the most important of all -maple!

32 candles for Brittany this year! Happy Birthday Sis. She was in heaven and thought we all showed up just for her.

It was great to be together with all my family, even with 1 bathroom! We've managed all these years and so isn't too difficult now. Thanks Mom for a great weekend and for raising us all so well. You and dad did a super job. I am still proud to be a Cook, and Brian is happy to be part Cook now too!

I am so so grateful we have an Eternal Family and that we can be with Dad again someday. It is not something I take for granted and that truth is a lot more real to me now since Dad died and since I have gotten married and had a child. Family is so important and those bonds can last forever. Its not just words to a song or a hokey idea - it is true! And that is what I felt most over the Memorial Day weekend.