Most of you who know me know that I look forward to my Davis/Vellinga Family Campout all year long. It is always over Memorial Day weekend, and I love going! As I get older, I have become slightly neurotic about it. And I'm not sure why. I just know I love it. I love camping, even when the weather doesn't cooperate. I love sitting around for 3 days and just catching up and gabbing with all my cousins, aunts and uncles, and siblings. I love roasting marshmallows and smelling like campfire (until it doesn't come out of your hair for about a week!) I love waking up early in the morning to all the tweeting birds, even though you think it's about 7:00 and it's really only 6:00. I love how for some strange reason ALL of my children sleep better in a pack and play in a tent then they do at home. I love that Davis was as excited as me this year and made a paper chain to count down the days until he could play baseball for 3 days non-stop.
But now that I have moved away from my family and I miss the Vellinga gatherings like Popcorn Night and summer picnics and Christmas parties, I loved Campout even more. I'm sorry that I tried so hard to guilt you, Jana and Lauren and Mom, to stay, even though it was raining and you lived nearby. I just wanted more time with everyone. I miss you. I miss my extended family. I miss having cousins for my kids to play with on a regular basis. I loved watching Davis and Claire be old enough this year to just roam and find relatives and play and play and get dirty and I didn't care and I didn't care that Claire ate only junk for 3 whole days. Because I was with my grand Davis family, the one I named my firstborn after, hoping he would feel the connection and belonging that I feel for this family. I love that this family has tried so hard over several generations to remain close and connected. And even though our count is up to 730(?) and we have about 400 every year at campout, I hope it never dies and I hope I can help keep it going.
I missed you, Jonny and Nate and Rebecca and Laura Loo. We'll catch you next time.
I was horrible at taking pictures this year, but these are some of the favorite things I heard.
Claire: "Mom, look at my worm. Isn't it beautiful?"
Davis: "Mom, Dad and I found a baby garter snake. Look! Dad says I can keep it and bring it back home."
Aunt Kristen: "Claire, don't go too far or you'll get lost."
Claire: "I can't get lost...it's Campout World!"
Davis: "Mom, I found a new friend. His name is Marcus. And we're related!"
Everyone I met. "Oh, your baby is so cute. How old is he?" Sadie definitely got the raw end of the deal when it comes to hair! Don't worry, you're still MY baby girl.
Dave (with tears in his eyes). "Davis doesn't want to play with me. He just wants to play with his cousins. I think I'm going to cry."
Davis, laying on top of 2 coolers at 9:00 pm. "I'm not tired Mom, I'm just bored." He was asleep 2 minutes later.
Davis: "Mom, I built a fire with just 1 match!"
Can't wait until next year. Thanks everyone for being part of this family and making the effort to be there. I loved seeing you, I always will.
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3 comments:
Holy moly, I knew your reunion was big but somehow managed to forget the fact that it was 400 people big. I'm so glad you had fun cuz it sounds like a blast! You about made me cry talking about missing all your family.
By the way, I'm dying to know, did you end up keeping the snake??
Oh MaryAnn, you just made me cry. Thanks for sending your love my way. I miss campout and popcorn nights and all of those things so much. I'm hoping maybe next year we can be there too. But good news, we fly into Utah on the 25th of June, so I'm hoping (if Jonny has a reception) to see everyone then.
How fun! I am glad you enjoyed yourself and the things your kids said were hilarious!
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