The Sibling Trip to Washington

So I realize that I've been MIA for a while. My google reader is at 300 and I'm trying super hard not to let it affect me. Why does blogging seem like 'NO FUN' when my reader is jam packed? And then I empty it and that little pit in my stomach goes away. My friend, Brenda, called it an 'Enjoyable Burden'. I couldn't agree more. It's the perfect analogy. Life just feels busier than ever lately. I don't know why, but it feels like every day is packed with something. It's not entirely a bad thing. It's just... BUSY. And the holidays aren't even here yet. Oy.

Last week I took a trip to Washington to visit my Dad and step-mom, Bette, with just my siblings. No spouses, no kids. It was, for lack of a better word... AWESOME. I can't describe it. It was like old times. It was fun to bond with my siblings without the interruptions of the children we love. Ya know, so we could feel like children ourselves. I came away with a stronger testimony of the gospel, a deeper love for both my family I grew up with and the family I live with, and a greater feeling of self-worth. If you haven't had a sibling trip, I strongly encourage you to plan one. Really, really ... plan one.

Off the subject, but definitely needing to be mentioned is my awesome blog. Mariel, thank-you ONCE AGAIN for re-designing it. It looks great. You might have noticed that your google reader reads 'Seriously Holly' rather than what it read before with my last name. It's a way of protecting myself and my family and it's more 'me'. So if you hate it, guess what? I don't care. If you have my last name on your sidebar, I'd be much obliged if you changed it. Pretty please?

Moving on...

Here's some pics of the great time we had. I took 79 pictures. This isn't even half. So I'm sorry if it seems like a lot. Believe me when I say this is the narrowed down version.

Because my family LOVES food more than any other family I'm aware of, I've dedicated an entire post to be published within the next couple days exclusively about food. And not just any food. My FAVORITE food. You're gonna wanna come back. And don't say I didn't warn ya if your tongue starts hanging out and dripping on your keyboard.

The ride up... Grant (on the left) and Clark (on the right). My bros.

Switching vehicles..

Joyce (on the left) and Charlotte (on the right). Two of my wonderful sisters!

Are you surprised that the youngest got the back seat? I mean... Hello. It's the luck of the draw. That and I don't get car sick.

Just like old times. Except this time I didn't have to sit on 'the hump' and have mono-leg.

Grant treated us to lunch at Chili's on the way up. It was delish and left me with an appropriate bloat. Thanks Grant!

Our first meal when we arrived. Bette slaved away the entire time. She is simply amazing. And so is her food. It was so fun to sit together at the dinner table as a family. Check out Clark's face in the below pic:

My Dad and my two awesome brothers.

(For the record, I do have a younger brother, Duke. He's a half brother from my mother's second marriage. My Dad is not his Dad. Get it? Confusing family dynamics. Love him too, of course.)

The six siblings and my Dad.

There was lots of time for sisterly bonding.

Joyce and I...

Charlotte and I...

Laura and I... and our nose holes.

This was my favorite picture taken on the entire trip. Bette took it and my cute friend Crissy made it look all cute. Thanks, Crissy!!!

From left: Joyce, Holly, Laura, and Charlotte...

There was also brotherly bonding.

Clark and I...

Grant and I...

Ode to 'Chef Bette'. Thanks for the yummy food!

Besides eat, we also slept after we stayed up all hours of the night laughing our heads off until our sides hurt...

Zzzzzzzzzzz...

We had lots of time to chat and carry on deep conversations about deep topics such as 'The Second Coming' and 'Food Storage'. I cried out of sheer stress. But then we played Balderdash and I forgot all about it. Denial, maybe? Nah.

(I am going to get crackin' on my food storage. I am, I am, I am.)

We also listened to Jim Gaffigan and we laughed until we cried. 'Hot Pockets!!!!!' 'Diarrhea Pockets!!!'' Just thinking about it makes me start laughing all over again.

CLICK HERE to listen to the Hot Pockets segment. Share in our JOY.

And we saw THIS MOVIE. Wanna see a good movie? This one had us rolling with laughter and possibly annoying other movie-goers that were there at the same time we were.
Oh well.

Talking...

Lounging...

Talking and lounging...

And more lounging...

We all went to church on Sunday together as a family. It was so fun to take up the WHOLE ROW. Good times. Good times. Dad and Bette, your ward is wonderful. It was so great to listen to ALL THREE MEETINGS without my children pawing at me for more goldfish crackers. Or standing in the hall chasing Faith everywhere and getting her yet another drink from the drinking fountain.

We were all so HAPPY to be there.

I honestly don't know how it could have gone ANY better!!!

Pure fun and relaxation!!

Thanks Dad and Bette. Your accommodations were wonderful as was the food and the company. Let's do it again, shall we??