Lloyd Family reunion

On top of the labor day weekend was a family reunion in twin with Greg's siblings. I did not plan to go. However, Harold was willing to take some kids so the three middle girls hopped in his truck and went to Twin free of parents nad responsibilities. The reunion started off with a service project making goodie bags for foster kids. 

Megan Millie Alena, Sue, Crystal, Afton

After the temple kids headed back to his brothers to play and mingle. 

Millie and Janice play air hockey

There is always a lot of good food. Reed and his cousin Thomas are good buddies. Rishelle watching the crowd.

Lots of people and lots of help. 

Monica, and Kaden foreground, Kia, Kali, Brooke, Eric Sheryl Nathan Sue Deanne in line

Sue gives a handmade quilt to each married grandchild. Thanks to Alena's help and opinions the quilts are unique and beautiful. This one went to Kia standing in the middle. She is Kristi's second daughter. 

In addition to the reunion, each participant shared what they liked and would suggest for next year. Greg, Addie and I headed that project.

KEvin, Vance, Greg, Reed, Thomas

Mary, Addie, Cami, Emery

Eric, Addie, Amanda, Cami

Mark has been pretty tired. It was good to spend time with Anna. I was surprised when I looked up to see Reed with Denise's baby Harmony. My guys don't usually take other people's babies. They like babies though and so were totally willing to hold her. 

Harmony, Caleb, Whit, Thomas, Mark, Livy, Anna, Jacob

Kevin is all about self-sufficiency so he has a milk cow. Here he is taking a load of curious cousins to watch the nightly milking routine. 

Kasden, Deanne, Kevin, Cami, Colton

Dinner for 100 scones. 

Bryce, Conner, Brooke, MArk, Deanne, Nathan, Reed

Harold and Cousin Caleb showing off their cowboy hats. These two are vivacious and love to have a good time. I told them they looked like the good and bad cowboy. Harold of course as the villain in black and Caleb the good guy in the lighter hat. 

The cooking crew. I learned years ago to just watch and be grateful. There are plenty of skilled cooks who have their ways of providing. It's best for me to just wash dishes or stay out of the way. 

Richard, Jonathan, Brenda, Kevin, Sheryl

After a fun spend the night the kids had a few minutes to play with Nerf guns at a cousins house. 

Andrea gave some last minute love to Anna. 

One task of family gatherings is getting pictures for the annual calendar. Reed and Blaine share a birthday. I think it's interesting how they hold their heads similarly. 

The 3-4 years old playing. Merle with his back to the camera. Klay looking at the camera, Wyatt blond and James the lone redhead. 

Most of the adults like to play games. In fact, Greg and I may be the only non-game players in the family. I'm usually too tired to think competitively. And I really don't enjoy silly projects. My kids however enjoy the experience and are thankful to be included. 

Then Mark had baby Harmony. She was a very agreeable baby. 

Uncle Matt shared suckers with all the young kids. They were delighted. Jay and Matt usually bring a bag of candy to continue in the favorite uncle category. 

Bleary-eyed and refreshed we traveled home the next day. We were thankful for the time to visit and share space with family. It's pretty impressive that 12/13 families and most of the adult cousins came. We are thankful for family and the blessing of shared experiences, hopes, and dreams. And the enduring friendships that have developed over the years. We are blessed with generous hosts who are willing to feed and house that many. Life is very good. 
 

Rematch grudge match

Last year ended on a sour note as the team without its confident quarterback fell to the 2-year state champions. The east-west divide is rumored to be true discounting any team from the other side of the Rocky Mountains when ranking for playoff placement. Thus the coaches asked for a rematch and were granted a pre-season game to see what the teams looked like this year. Our guys have been working hard with some desire to avenge the loss and show how powerful they truly are. We rescheduled our weekend and made the drive to Bend to view the Venge match. 

New this year is a JV quarterback who is a senior. With the prowess of the now graduated leader of the team this guy has been in reserve leading a successful junior squad. He wasn't used to the size or strength of his new offensive line. Mark kept reassuring him we will protect you, you will have time to make the plays don't worry. I love how these still shots captured that time. He was in fact untouched the entire game. In this matchup against a smaller less aggressive line, he had all the space he needed to make plays. 

Mark is 57. He's really enjoying playing this year. Addie was at home with the kids and asked that I facebook stream the game. That was a new experience. Standing quietly in the hot sun I saw a lot more of the game. I tried to add names to who did what on the plays... I don't know a lot about football so that was a challenge. 

Big number 60 has grown over the summer. Evan is a strong guy, he plays to the right of Mark. 

After the game Mark was cramping up. It was so hot the guys were literally cooked. Mark's feet hurt from the hot turf. Grass growing is definitely more comfortable to play on than turf. 

This is a picture of jubilation and heat weariness. Thankfull there was a slight breeze for most of the game or it would have been nearly impossible to watch. I was surprised when we walked ont he field to find it about 10 degrees hotter than the stands. Poor guys. 

It's always so fun to have grandparent's support. We appreciated their willingness to come support. 

Mark and his friend Raul who is the center. 

The seniors minus Raul who left. These guys know and fought hard last year this was a sweet statement that they are a force to be reckoned with this year as well. 

Always after a game fairlife to refuel and rebalance electrolytes. I preach to my athletes real food for real performance. So watermelon and chocolate milk and some ice cream. 

We stopped for the milk and got ice cream for Greg. We got too much for the three of us. On the way, we caught up to a car that looked like our friends. I texted and asked if it was them they said yes. I told them if they would pull over we would share ice cream as we had too much. This family likes ice cream too and so they quickly stopped. I ran up to the mom and gave her the boxes of ice cream treats and hurried back to our car. Greg quickly pulled out and that was the nicest passing we have ever done. Greg does so hate to follow people when driving. 

Later after a nice dinner in Burns with my parents, we saw MArk's friend JEB. We asked him to follow us home. About 10 miles outside of Juntura our car started acting weird and we pulled over. Greg was sure the trany had died so we got in with JEB and rode home. We had a nice visit hearing his testimony and sharing thoughts on life. 

When Greg looked at the car this week it was fine. It is driving with no problems. So we aren't sure what happened but are thankful for now it's not destroyed. 

We enjoyed the time to get away and were happy to see the team's success on the field. Life is good and the season has just begun!
 

Addie XC happenings

Addie made the paper in her first match. She placed 2nd to a new runner from halfway Oregon. The next day she was top 20 I think in Weiser. It's good to get the season started and enjoy the fun of seeing friends from all over the region. 

I spotted this shirt on a coach as we were walking out of the race. In a sport where all you do is running and stretching and strengthening... it can get old. But the thrill of races and enjoyment of meeting new people keeps the fire burning to run mile after mile year after year. 

A new experience happened before Addie's first race. She was asked to Homecoming by a good man named JEB. 

He is good friends with Mark and got inside information on her favorite things. So she got some chocolate bars, some ice cream and flowers. What a sweet guy. She said yes. 

Rocks are the prize for the Vale races they both got silver loosing gold to cousins from up north. 

So the season has begun with some happy results. It's fun to see her happy and her vast energy being adequate for the tasks at hand. It's still very warm at each event around 90-95 degrees after 3 pm. We are all looking forward to cooler temperatures. Life is good. 
 

August happenings

I loved August because our garden began producing in earnest. Here Millie is returning with a full bowl of produce. It's so fun to bring home armfulls each day. 

I also started working on sourdough bread again. It is so simple yet delicious. I'm still working on the structure and form but regardless of the beauty it tastes good and fills bellies. 

Another exciting addition is the abundant flowers. We took these bouquets around one Sunday evening. As I'm canning now, I miss my jars, but I was happy to have a container to share some happiness with others. 

We got a text from neighbors saying our cows were loose. They corralled them for us and we went to get them after church. Oh, such kind neighbors who have strong pens. We brought the renegades home and put them in our strong pens to help them calm down and respect fences again. I never understand why cows in a green pasture want to wander the neighborhood. 

We came home one afternoon to tree limbs blocking our driveway. Addie took charge and moved them out of the way. 

For activity days we made swords of truth! We talked about doing real things with real people. 

The boys had a good time sword fighting with each other and the other male leader who a sword expert! I was so thankful for his skill and for the guys at my local hardware store who did the mathematics and cutting to get me the most supplies with the least waste. I was sad only 4 boys came but they had a great time. 

MY strong guys using body weight to exercise each other. 

We went swimming a few times this summer. I'm pleased with the level of independence the kids showed. It was so nice to cool off in the evenings.

Andrea loved the water so much!

At home, these three are pretty happy playing magnets and creating fun. 

I am thankful for the time to do what we want and have a break from the busy of school involvement. We are thankful to be back in school too but the summer was a nice break in the routine. Life is good and we are blessed.