Seeking Summer and A Sibling

(Mini-Family Reunion, April 11, 2010). Glenn and I spent our 36th wedding anniversary in a most splendid way . . . visiting with his sister, Gayle and her children and grandson in sunny Arizona. In the photo above: Jeanne Davis, Adam, Renee and Baby Simon Davis, Kamie and Matt Davis, Gayle and friend Alvin Ashley, me and Glenn. (For those who may not know, Jeanne, Adam and Matt are Gayle's children)

     The drive was long (nearly 10 1/2 hours) but uneventful.  We planned ahead and stopped for breakfast in Layton, UT at a Marie Callendar's; this enabled us to get a few hours driving done before eating and the stop coincided with rush hour near Salt Lake City (known in these parts, to some, as the "Mormon 500").  After that stop, it was pretty smooth sailing all the way to Flagstaff and Gayle's condo, where we arrived around 4:45 p.m. (but we gained an hour since AZ is a hold-out on the Daily Savings Time issue).

We left Inkom about 5:45 am on Friday, April 9 headed to sunny Arizona, made all the more appealing by the spring snowstorm we'd had earlier in the week. Several weeks ago we made plans to visit Gayle and were delighted to learn we'd get to see her kids and meet grandson Simon as well. Ridiculous as it is for family, we hadn't seen any of them in over 3 1/2 years . . . the last occasion Adam and Renee's wedding in Tucson.

     Friday evening we spent with Gayle and Alvin eating homemade Navaho fry bread (yum) and chatting away -- catching up on all things family and other wise since our last chance to do so.  Saturday morning we loaded everyone up -- including Nikki the husky -- and drove further south.  Our first stop was Clarkdale where Matt and Jeanne coach a traveling/club girls' soccer team.  We saw about 1 1/2 games, then left at half time in order to deliver Jeanne to her work for the assigned 4:30 p.m. shift.

    

Jeanne is a waitress at the Half Moon Sports Grill, at least for another month or so.  She'll be starting her graduate studies at A.T. Still University in Mesa where she will study to become a Physician Assistant.  We're all rooting for her!

     In the "it really is a small world" category . . . the bar manager at Half Moon is a graduate of Redford Union High School -- which Glenn and both his sisters attended!

     We arrived at Matt and Kamie's house in Chandler shortly after he did.  What a lovely home they have, not only a great house, but a feeling of warmth and love encompasses it. . . a home, indeed.  A true highpoint of a weekend filled with memories, reminisces and laughs, we met for the first time our Great-Grand Nephew Simon Davis.  In the picture above, Great Uncle Glenn helps with shoe-tying efforts.  Glenn's always said that "small children and dogs like me" . . . fortunately, Simon was no exception.  He warmed up pretty readily to Uncle Glenn . . . even sitting on Glenn's lap for a bit later in the evening.

     We were so pleased that Adam and Renee took time from the busy lifestyle as working parents of a toddler to drive the 1 1/2 hours north from their home in Vail (near Tucson) to see us.  To see our two nephews and niece, spouses and now, child, again provided a splendid way to spend our anniversary.  Even more, it was so good to see what truly good people they've all grown to become.

Simon (age 21 months) is about five weeks older than our Miles Guy.  Throughout the short visit, we all commented how much fun it would be to get the two of them together.  Ironically,  both have special toys and they are both monkeys!  Miles carts around his Zu-Hi and Simon his Curious George at every turn!  Sooo cute!  All involved spent the night with Matt and Kamie.  Sunday morning, we enjoyed a brunch prepared by both Kamie and Renee, took a brief respite in a nearby park and snapped the group photo above.  By then, it was time for the drive north and return to Gayle's condo.  Sunday evening we took a quick spin near the Lake Marys to see the extreme snow fall Flag received in January resulted in a spillover of snowmelt from Upper Lake Mary to the Lower Lake Mary.  Then, dinner at Altitudes Bar and Grill in the old part of Flag.  Delicious food and drink there, in a quaint setting near the railroad tracks!

     Monday morning we were up and out of Gayle's condo by 5:30 a.m. for the long drive back.  Despite the length of the drive, it was pleasant with little traffic (except in and around Salt Lake City), spectacular scenery -- some of which we'd seen 20+ years ago and some of which was new to our eyes -- and good roads.  And, in taking this trip, we all realized there is no reason for us to wait another 3+ years to get together.  Talk of a possible camping trip near Zion or Bryce National Parks or another mini-reunion at our place and the Jurgens surfaced.  We certainly hope we'll be able to visit with the family again.

     In a note of thanks  I'm mailing to all today, I mentioned not only how good it was to reconnect with family . . . but to reconnect with people with whom we share a common and long relationship.  Having moved to Idaho 22 months ago, and knowing then no one except Meghan and Josh, everyone we encounter here has known us for less than two years.  It's kind of hard to explain. . . but suddenly we were again surrounded by folks with whom we could share memories and feel like we 'belonged'.  Now, we need to get organized . . . Meg commented how much she'd like to see everyone again, and of course, we'd love to show off our new locale as well as the Miles Guy!