THE HILLS

The Hill Family Bed & Breakfast

Arrivals, Funeral, Entertainment, Departures

Arrival #1: Kata and Logan arrived Saturday afternoon catching me off guard. I was putting Max down for a nap (still in my pjs) and didn't hear the door for the longest time. I had thought about calling Kata several times but forgot and figured that if she needed a ride from the airport she would be calling. I forgot that Mom could pick her so was pleasantly surprised when they showed up. Mom, Kate and I went to Zupas for lunch and enjoyed some girl time as Mom told us all about spending time with her sisters reminiscing and preparing Grandma for the funeral. Max and Logan played well together and Max learned many new and exciting things from watching cousin Logan.

Visit: Josh and his family stopped in for a visit before heading onto their friend's for the night. It was fun to chat with them for a short time. We had tried to get Max to bed before they got there but he was far too excited. He stayed up long past his bedtime as we visited with his cousins.

Arrival #2: John's flight didn't come in until midnight so I went alone to the airport to pick him up. We had a nice chat on the way home and then he and Kate and I stayed up way to late.

Arrival #3: Mom picked up Jared from the airport and arrived at our house Sunday morning. Jake had worked everything out with the Red Cross so that Jared was able to come.

Arrival #4: Cami and Ben met us at Golden Corral for dinner and Cami gave us the great news that she is expecting!!! Congratulations! (Somehow I didn't manage to get one picture of them.)

Arrival #5: Jim, Landon and Jake also met us at Golden Corral. It was such a blast having Landon with us. He is such a sweet little boy and is so entertaining. He wanted to go outside at one point but his coat was in the car so I grabbed my smallest hoodie, rolled up the sleeves and put it on him. He looked like a little Jedi running around in it.

Dinner: Being the heathen that I am (and not my amazing mother) I didn't want to cook for 10 adults and 3 children so we went out to eat.

Entertainment: This video is a bit long, but so much fun to see all of us stuffed into a room; not only watching, but discussing and singing along to Super Why. The funniest part of this is that there is a living room downstairs where people could watch TV, play video games or just hang out. And yet, they all chose to stay in the living room watching Super Why.

After the boys were asleep we all sat down to play Nerts. It was a blast! I wish that I had had James grab the video camera. He was watching us and was truly entertained by how absolutely silly and crazy we look and act. There were a few collisions because of the many bodies and as Kata continued to trounch all of us, I mentioned that a collision with her might help all of us. Her younger brothers all seemed to jump on that idea. We (even Kate) were all excited when Ben was declared the winner as he reached -100 before Kate got to +100. Because everyone had stayed late playing those who were not already staying at my house (Cami, Ben, Jim, Jake & Landon) decided to stay over.

Sleeping Arrangements: It would also have been fun to have pictures of all of the people stuffed into my house. Kate and Logan slept in the office on a futon mattress and the pack-n-play. Cami and Ben put their air mattress on the kitchen floor. John claimed his favorite white couch. Landon slept on my bed until the adults went to bed and then he and Jim slept on the living room couch. Which leaves Jared and Jake and I am not exactly sure where they slept. The only couches left are far too short for them so I think they may have slept on the floor. Because everyone hadn't planned to stay I scrambled a bit to find enough bedding (and enough towels) for everyone.

It was the second night staying up really late and I had a horrible headache. For some reason it didn't occur to me to take anything for it until I had already suffered through it for hours. Duh! Everyone was still up when Max woke up about 1:00 and then as I came out of his room from getting him settled the whole house had gone to bed. As is often the case I was the last one to bed and the first one up in the morning.

Breakfast: It occurred to me that I was the oldest sibling and that everyone was at my house. Which is probably why I felt responsible to feed everyone and get them to the funeral on time. I made 2 dozen muffins and a bunch of scrambled eggs. I also had cold cereal and oatmeal. Ben and Cami were so helpful and went to the store for milk and eggs and other things Ben so thoughtfully realized that I needed. I keep Max's cousin M every Monday and she was a bit shocked when she arrived to find so many people in the house. But she very quickly joined in playing with the boys.

The Funeral: We went through the line for the viewing and had family prayer and then into the chapel for the funeral. It was a really nice funeral with fun memories and stories of Grandma. All of the grand kids and great-grand kids sang "I Am A Child Of God." Several of us, including me didn't realize that there was a fourth verse to the song we have sung since primary. When we came down from the stage I snuck into the seat next to Mom before the others sat down. It was nice to sit by her and hopefully give some comfort or at least love to my Mom. There was a luncheon provided, and as a humorous side note; several of us admitted we were disappointed to see soup and salad. Where were the funeral potatoes and ham? Because there were three other cameras snapping pictures, I didn't take mine out, but for those who did take pictures I would like to get copies, please?

Departure #1: Cami & Ben left for home right after the funeral.

Dinner: Those of us who remained went to Wingers for dinner. It is John's favorite place and we go every time he comes to visit. This time was just a much larger group. Afterward we hung out, chatting, watching TV, bathing and putting kids to bed. I pooped out early when I decided to go to bed at 10:30. I needed a good night's sleep.

Sleeping Arrangements: Everyone had their designated sleeping arrangements from the night before and hey, the boys didn't bother sleeping anyway. :) I got up with Max at 3:00 and when I finally got him back to bed at 4:00 I went downstairs to chat with the boys who were still up. Well, Jared and Jim had fallen asleep on the floor and John and Jake were still going strong. I remember being that young and dumb. :)

Departure #2: Jim, Landon and Jake left Tuesday morning for the long drive home.

Departure #3: Kate and Logan headed out to spend some time with Mike's family.

Departure #4: We enjoyed a very relaxing day with John as we went to Walmart, took a walk and hung out. Max loves his Uncle John. Of course, it may have been because everyone else left and they both had undivided attention from each other. I dropped John off at the airport around 7:30.

It was a great weekend, with a lot of people, chaos, fun, laughter, tears, talking and staying up late. And I have never appreciated my empty house like I did after everyone left. :)