It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

The last few weeks have been the longest of my life.  After learning about mom's passing, we decided to take off for Oklahoma on Monday, June 15th.  It was a good drive out there even though it was, as always, very long (typically 12hrs but with 3 kids more like 16). We were a little worried how Easton would do on such a long drive but he was fantastic. He slept most of the way and we only had to stop to feed him a few times.  We have decided that New Mexico and Oklahoma are too big.  We've taken this drive so many times that we could probably do it in our sleep, but this trip seemed much MUCH longer.   Anyway, we arrived in Tulsa on the 16th and got a little bit of rest before we had to drive some more.  Mom's viewing was scheduled for Wednesday evening so we packed up the car again and drove the hour drive to Grove Wednesday afternoon and visited with my sister Spring and her family and then attended the viewing and saw friends and family I haven't seen in so long.  I sometimes forget how long I have been away from my hometown and the extended family that lives there.

Then we went back to Spring's house for the night and woke up the next morning to rain.  The funeral was scheduled for Thursday at 3:00.  We drove to the cemetery in one of the worst rainstorms that I have been in.  Rain was coming down in buckets, all thanks to what was left of Tropical Depression Bill.  We were all soaking wet after the funeral but it still turned out to be a nice funeral and was the first time in years and years that all 5 of my siblings had been together in the same place.  It was nice visiting with them all and we all vowed to stay in better contact.

After the funeral, we left to go back to New Mexico with my dad and Callie. Nate's family was coming to visit us to see Lilly get baptized and Easton get blessed and would be there Friday evening.  We didn't know if we were going to beat them back to Las Cruces, but we got here a few hours before they did.  At this point, we were all grumpy and exhausted and sick of driving.

Saturday, we kind of just hung out as family in the morning and then Saturday afternoon, we all headed for the church for Lilly's baptism.  It was a nice small and simple affair that ended with one of Carter's friends falling face first into the podium and biting through his lip.  He only needed 2 stitches though and is recovering well.  After the baptism and confirmation we all went out to dinner together and had a good time eating New Mexican food and talking and trying to keep all 7 kids happy at the same time.  

Sunday morning we all got up and dressed and headed to church.  I have never been so thankful to have ward council cancelled and have 11:00 church.  It was madness trying to get everyone ready.  We were all extremely tired and grumpy, but Nate gave our crying Easton a great blessing and it was fantastic to have both of our father's here for Father's day. After church we came home and Nate grilled burgers for everyone and we just enjoyed being together.  

Then Monday morning, Nate's family and our family got in cars AGAIN and headed for Santa Fe for a couple days.  Nate's mom has always wanted to go to Santa Fe.  We  had a good time walking around the square of the oldest capital city in the US and swimming in the hotel pool and spending time with family. We left to drive the 4 hr drive home Wednesday morning and were very happy to be home.  It was a super long week and a half and although we loved being with family, we were never so grateful to be home.  We were so exhausted after it was all over.
 I am extremely grateful to both of our families for taking the time out of their lives to come visit us though.  Here are some pictures of the events.

I don't know how I got such a pretty girl

 All the Brown Grandkids except for Easton.  He was asleep.

 Grandpa Kieth & Grandma Callie

 Grandma & Grandpa Brown

 She's such a big girl.

We are thankful that Lilly chose to wait an additional 5 1/2 months to get baptized so that our families could make the trip out here to see Easton get blessed at the same time.  We had a lot of fun.