Whew...what a busy but awesome last week or so!

Wow...these past 2 weeks have been crazy--but wonderful. I was down for about a week after I returned home from St. Louis. The bronchitis really got the best of me...but I'm much better now. Well...so much to catch up on...here we go...

Thursday-July 30th~
The 30th was the first anniversary of my surgery! It was a happy day because it reminded me of how lucky I am! I worked most of the day at Dad's office & then celebrated life by reconnecting with two old friends who are back nearby. It was wonderful. Sara, Emmalee, & I went to Australia/New Zealand together on an Ambassador trip. We lost touch during college, but have found each other again. It was like no time had passed at all & we got caught up and laughed a lot. It was awesome. I am so looking forward to having them nearby & to be able to see them lots more.



Emmalee (& her lil' guy Waylon), Sara, & me outside of The Olive Garden!!


Saturday, July 25th-Tuesday, July 28th

After our family reunion (to be discussed later) Andrew & Kevan came to stay with us for 3 days. It was their first time away from their parents & they did a wonderful job being away from home. We kept quite busy with activities everyday; 'Dancing with the Stars' live, swimming, go-karts, the zoo, movies at home, lots of popcorn for Andrew John, ice cream, arcades...you name it we packed it in to our time together. It was wonderful having them. They are hilarious. They are high-energy & wore me out, but it was well worth it. Here are some pictures from their stay:

Saturday, July 25th~

Saturday was our Annual McClaflin Family Reunion!!! It is ALWAYS one of my favorite things of the Summer. We almost always get in a huge water fight & this year was no different! We also enjoyed games & lots of laughs & company. I am so grateful for the closeness our family shares. It really is a joy. I could write on & on about our Reunion, but I'll spare you all--so here are just a few pictures (of the 200 I took) of that fun day!

This is what I looked like at the end of the water fight! haha!

Jackie & I

Aunt Frances ducking from the water fight between Lori & Evan going on behind her! (chicken!!!)

2 of my favorite people in the world (Uncle Jim & Uncle Paul). I ADORE THEM! :)



The McClaflin Siblings-

front row-Aunt Doris, Uncle Paul, Aunt Ramona, & Aunt Frances

back row-Uncle Jim, Uncle Rex, & Papa

(Uncle John could not attend because he is currently fighting cancer & Uncle Bill has passed away--they were truly missed).

See...our water fights get a bit out of control at times...especially when Bryan starts climbing on the tables to attack! :)

Some of 'The Guys'-Bob, My Uncle Mike, the other Mike, Mark, Ronnie

They are all cousins & I Love them all bunches!


Thursday, July 23rd~

My Grandpa and his siblings were raised on several different farms. Their father was a farmer and they moved often. On Thursday, 7 of the 9 siblings got together (and their spouses & me too) to go in my Uncle Jim's motorhome for a geneaology roadtrip. We all piled in and traveled to the places they were born (all but one were born at home) and to the farms in which they lived. In some cases, the houses were still there. It was a DELIGHTFUL day. I felt so priveleged to be a part of it. I have always been fascinated by geneaology & my Aunt Doris has been so wonderful in sharing so much of what she has researched with me. I wrote down the stories from their childhood they told & took lots of pictures. I am going to make another McClaflin book for them all. I have completed one that Aunt Doris gave me information for. It truly is a passion of mine. What a wonderful day! I wish I could share it all with you. I feel so lucky to have been part of it. Lots of laughs were shared. My Grandpa and his siblings and their spouses are some of the dearest people in my life and I am in regular contact with almost all of them--and I feel lucky to have that closeness with them! Here are just a few of the many pictures that were taken that day...


Uncle Jim & Aunt Frances standing in front of the place where they were both born.

Papa, Uncle Paul, & Uncle Rex look at some of the old pictures that Aunt Doris brought!

Some of the Aunts & Uncles riding in the motorhome

The house where my Grandpa was born

My Grandpa & his siblings & their spouses in front of the motorhome before we started out on our 10 hour journey to the past.

These past two weeks have been so full, but they have been wonderful. I've started my new medicine this week--so far no changes, either good or bad, but we are hoping that with more time it will begin to kick in. This evening we enjoyed the Italian Festival. I am PROUD TO BE AN ITALIAN! It was a wonderful time with the best music in the world...and BOCCE BALL...who can top that.

Hope life is treating everyone well. I'm off to bed...I'm beat! :)

Love to all...