All in the family.

There's nothing like a wedding to bring a family together! It'd been WAY too long since we'd spent time with my side of the family, but Saturday we finally got to see them. My cousin's daughter got married in Huntsville, so my mom and I made a quick trip down 45 for the big day. It had been at least a couple of years since we'd seen this branch of our family tree.

My dad's sisters, my Aunt Berniece and Aunt Lois
(and Lois's husband, my Uncle Don, right behind them)

The wedding party

The bride's parents

The happy couple


The next generation: Some of my cousins' kids
(who in my mind, at least, should be about 5 years old!)

Then there's the generation after that: one of my cousins' grandkids!


And my cousin-in-law Linda with her youngest granddaughter

With my cousins Susan, Donna and Jill

The matriarchs: my dad's sisters with my mom

We stayed at the reception past dark, but our day trip eventually had to come to a close. My mom and I had to say goodbye and hit the road, but we surely hope it won't be so long before the next family reunion!

So for the second Saturday in a row, I got to spend time with people I love but rarely get to see. For the second time in eight days, I just tried to relish every word, every moment with people I hadn't seen in years. Maybe it's my age, but I can't help but get sentimental when I think about how important these people are to me. Even if I don't see them as much as I'd like, I'm just so thankful for these occasions when we can reconnect.