Weekend in Ashland, Oregon

Weekend

I am recovering from an amazing weekend with my family! I am still awaiting pictures from my aunts and uncles, but I still have plenty to share. We all came together to celebrate my grandfather’s 80th birthday! The weekend was amazing from start to finish, and I haven’t had so much fun in a long time. It was also nice to not have to work graveyard shifts all weekend! I am still smiling, and it’s Wednesday.

We all arrived at the hotel around the same time on Friday evening and I got to meet my Uncle Jim (for the first time), and my cousin Jimmy (for the first time, he’s 13), as well as my dad’s Fiancé. I immediately fell in love with Jimmy. He is an amazing kid! And, since there was some confusion on where I was to sleep, I stowed my luggage in my Aunt Carolyn’s room and put on my girl clothes for dinner (I was wearing my baggy t-shirt and shorts for comfortable traveling).

When we were all freshened up, we all caravaned over to a farmhouse just down the way from the hotel. It was so great to all be together, and to watch Jani (my grandpa’s wife) come, somewhat tumbling out of the doorway, doubled over in laughter and excitement, as we all approached the house. My grandfather was still unaware that we were all gathered to celebrate his birthday. As we marched into the house to the house that was filled with the sound of the “Gypsy Kings” and filed into the living room, it was so much fun to watch my grandfather’s face, as each person was met with the same reaction…”surprise and delight.”

After we had all said our “hellos” and hugs were shared, the house took on the loud hum of 17 adults and children engaged in conversation. Even though I was dressed for dinner, I couldn’t help but join my cousins in a game of catch, both baseball and football. My feet were muddy, and I got nice and sweaty, and I did my best to be as graceful as possible. Hehehe!!! My aunt Miriam was out there playing catch with us, and did a fine job!!! She has a great glove hand, and her throwing arm wasn’t too bad either!!! It was just awesome to see her out there! Thank goodness for boy cousins, because catch is one of my all-time favorite pastimes! I worked up quite an appetite!

We all went to dinner and it was great! I sat at the end of the table with all the cousins and had a blast. They are all so cute, and so bright! Must be a Freeman thing. =) The cutest part of the dinner, was Kamryn. She’s the solitary great-grandchild. She was my dinner buddy, and it warmed my heart every time she smiled, or patted me on the shoulder. Of course, I sang and played with her, fought the urge to bite her chubby cheeks, all those good things.

We spent Saturday at the farmhouse hanging out playing lots of catch, three flies up, eating, playing more catch, listening to music, eating, searching for baseballs in swampy fields filled with land mines left by the grazing cows, and riding horses! Yeah, I rode a horse! It was amazing to ride a horse you have no idea!

Truth be told…I was almost in tears with fear right as I was preparing to mount my steed. For the first few trips around the arena, Uncle Jim led the horse. When it was his turn to ride one of the horses, Leslie, the horse lady, told my Uncle Fred (who was gonna do the leading now), that I could do it on my own. I had a mini panic attack!!! Me? Ride a horse? By myself??? Holy cow! She must be on crack! Well, I did it. I did not want to appear soft, and I secretly really wanted to. I rode that there horse around the arena, around the barrels, and around the pole thingies that were like Slalom skiing but different. In fact, towards the end, I knocked one down. =) It was awesome!!!

Few awesome moments of note: Surprising my grandpa when we all walked in, Aunt Miriam playing catch with all of us, my Aunt Julie getting out there and doing her thing playing catch too, horseback riding (it was totally rad), watching all my cousins, uncles, and my dad play three flags up while the ladies sat in the shade drinking their wine, and a few of us nursing a bottled water on the front porch, late night swimming with the cousins and uncles, sitting on the back porch waiting for the coals to turn white and listening to Uncle Roger’s stories from high school about humiliation and redemption! I wish I had a video camera for that one! So funny! And of course, last but not least, the very long toast to Grandpa, where each generation, in order of birthright, shared their favorite memory, thoughts, or gratitude for Grandpa. It was very touching, and every time my grandpa shared an insight, or though in response to someone, he made me feel normal. =)

ej

p.s.

I also bought a bat for only $15!!! And the coolest bball shorts ever! No sales tax rocks my tube socks!!!