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2.22.2011

Sunday Snapshot {extended family}


Over this past weekend, I reflected upon the definition of family.  Webster's online does give [a group of persons of common ancestry] as one definition.


The faces of our children that spent the past weekend together may not all share common earthly ancestry.  But my favorite part of the word family is the fact that there are several definitions listed, and common ancestry is number two.  The first definition is listed as, [a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head.]


The way I see it,  according to Webster's, we can consider these folks we spent time in fellowship with family.  After all, we were under one roof ~ even if just for a short time ~ and we are all under the one head of our Heavenly Father.

From an outsider's view, the weekend could have looked like a recipe for disaster.  Take thirteen kids ranging from age two to fourteen,


add six folks from different places in life who when you stop and think about it really don't know one another at all

this is what i get for not checking my camera before we head out ~ hoping laine can supply me a shot that includes a bit more of lee ann...

and mix into one large cabin for three days.


For us though, it was a recipe for sweet success!

Over the time we were together friendships were renewed.

kimmie and darcy quickly came up with their own strategy of claiming a sleeping spot ~ no, they didn't actually end up sleeping in drawers.

Despite the fact that it had been since April since our kids had seen the "fabulous F 8" kiddos, my gang fell right back in with theirs in a matter of minutes.

caleb and quan were perhaps the most active pair...
It was as if we lived right down the street and they had seen each other on a regular basis instead of only twice in the past year since they met.

the girls were treated to a mani by biggest sister katie lyn
And my gang was totally spoiled by benefiting from the perks of having much older siblings.

i'm pretty sure i've heard katie lyn's name as frequently as i've heard about "the one with the purse" in the past 24 hours.  you're pretty special in our book k.k.!
We also had the chance to get to know precious Emma (who mostly "did her own thing" but really seemed to start enjoying having a slew of other little kids around)

we had to resort to distraction tactics to catch photos of this little beauty
and her big brother Holden (who was in "typical teenage boy fashion" rather elusive when the camera came out ~ don't let that fool you though, I saw him loving on my kids...) rather well too.  

The part that I loved best was that at any given time, you could expect to find any combination of kids


mixed up across family unit


and age


eating,


playing,


or just enjoying being together


as if they were one, big, happy family.

It was the perfect way for our families to celebrate one year with our newest additions, Darcy, Kevin, and Emma.  And I'm so glad we got to do it together ~ as a big, loud, eatin' too much, stayin' up too late, lovin' being together family.

Even if it meant at the end of the weekend that we came home feeling rather like this...


We returned EXHAUSTED, but it was a good exhausted.  The kind of tired that you know means that you enjoyed EVERY LAST MINUTE of your time together.

F and B families, we look forward to the next time we can celebrate being family with you again!  And T family, we sure hope you can make it next time!

**************************************************************************





Ni Hao Yall

Sunday Snapshot is just a way to capture that special someone or something right now, because we all know time is fleeting... right now will be a distant memory before we know it!

Join in by checking out Stefanie's link!

14 comments:

Jennifer Taylor said...

Looks like you guys had so much fun! I know we missed out on a great weekend, but look forward to seeing you all next time!!

Laine said...

Oh Kristi....you so rock! I am so thankful you got this post up so soon, because now I can totally link up! :) LOL! I'm still jet lagged, are you? :)

We miss you ALL so much already. Re-entry has been tough. But thankfullly we have some sweet memories to keep us going!

I haven't even looked at all my pics yet....today was dance costume day. My back trunk is full of tulle and feathers. TEN costumes for FOUR girls! When I dig my way out, I will send you what I've got!

We love yall Sooooooooooooooo much!

Rachelle said...

What a fun time! The cabin looks amazing!

Glenda said...

Sounds like such fun! Amazing how God knits people together, isn't it? Such a wonderful blessing!

Nancy said...

What an awesome weekend. Love that cabin filled with kids!

Grandma Shultz said...

What a marvelous weekend. It is so beautiful how God has blended all of you together as "family".

Michelle said...

Love this...We have some friends that my kids call their family. I love how God puts families together.

Ann Marie said...

Looks like a ball!

Our Journey to China said...

We are jet lagged and a little rumbly on re-entry as well. But so thankful for the time with our Blessed 'God Family.' Only He can put us all together and bless our socks off doing it! :0) Just looked at the pictures with Emma and she was smiling big at the kids on the stairs and when she saw the picture of KK and Caleb - she said "KK!" Woo-Hoo!! She remembers names and faces!! :0) It was so worth the drive, late nights and enjoying the food with awesome fellowship. We love and miss you guys already!

Heather said...

That looks like so much fun! I'm sure the kids made memories they will cherish. We are in the process of booking a cabin in NC for a summer trip to the mountains. Our old cabin we previously rented is up for sale and no longer available to rent. Booo!!

Unknown said...

a. totally jealous. needing M time and a Guangdong reunion stat.

b. Kylie looks so grown up and yet just like the first time we saw her sweet baby face in that first photo.

c. Emma is doggone darling. sheesh.

d. did i mention i miss you and big bunches of people crammed all together? say, a big ol' house in the mountains of Virginia??

Our Journey said...

Looks like TOOOOO much fun! I wanna get-away-weekend now!

KJ DellAntonia said...

Looks wonderful--thanks for sharing! Inspired to come up with a big ole' gathering of our own!

Tina Michelle said...

Wow, that looks amazingly fun!!