Time Flies

This past Sunday was a day of family gatherings. Beginning with our 21st annual Swan family brunch, we enjoyed visiting and catching up with aunts, uncles and cousins. Can't help but think of my grandma whenever we're all together. In her honor, I had bread pudding with vanilla sauce-YUM! And iced tea, of course. My grandma claimed there wasn't much a glass of iced tea couldn't cure. I always loved her "tomorrow is another day" philosophy she imparted when one of us was upset or forlorn. Miss her-terribly.





This is my dad and two of his sisters, my Aunt Bonnie (left) and Aunt Wanda (right). My sister and I had a chance to visit Aunt Wanda's new home and meet her sweet dog, Susie who is part Westie. Yes, be still my heart. Was fun to have that extra time with her after the brunch. It's really her doing that we have our brunch every year. We owe her big time for that!




And these are the "original" cousins. Well, minus 2-Jen and Anna and Krista, our first cousin who was always more like one of the "originals". We all spent ALOT of time together when we were kids.


We ended the day with a family celebration-Cam's 21st birthday. Just realized that bit of coincidence-hmmm.....



Cam's favorite place for his birthday the past several years has been the Japanese steakhouse. Since you only turn 21 once in a lifetime, we were happy to oblige him by having dinner at Ariaku, a nearby steakhouse. I can't believe how fast the time goes by. How did he get to be 21?!?



My mom made a really special card for him-I'll have to borrow it so I can snap a photo or scan-it was very sweet. My sister and I were crying before we even actually saw the card. Just the look on Cam's face as he took it all in-well, I can't describe it. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Grandma's are special people.



So grateful for birthdays and family reunions. So grateful we could all be together if even for a short time. So grateful after all this time memories of years gone by bind us together. Time flies, but at least that means it won't be long until we are all together again!