Family Full Summer

The brisk autumn air that greets Charis and me for the past morning runs reminds me that fall is at our doorsteps. Living in the US for 12 years has made me appreciate all that comes with fall – FOOTBALL :), beautiful leaves, cool weather, pumpkin desserts…. Yet it is with a bit of sadness I say goodbye to a wonderful full summer.

The end of May, Kelly and the girls (Joshua’s brother’s family) came to South Carolina. Later Gabe joined them and we had our Fleming family reunion. This year Joshua, Charis and I piled in with Gabe’s family at Dad and Mom’s house for the week. Hannah joined us with Michael David and Jonathan every day (Jon – her husband – had to work that week :( and joined us in the evenings). It was a house full of children noises and activities with 6 children 4 and under! We had a great time visiting, making little outings to shop, and going on walks. The boys made it out to golf – Joshua’s first time to get to do that with his brother and dad. To his surprise he loved it! With that much activity and four Cannon SLRs there were plenty of pictures to remember our time including Charis meeting her Aunt Kelly and Uncle Gabe for the first time. Below is the family picture that we always dread taking but are always grateful in the end we did it…this time it was in the midst of SC summer heat!!

At the end of June, my mom and brother Samuel flew into SC. This was the beginning of my family trickling in and out for the summer and with them the family events. Since there were too many events and activities to write about, here are the highlights: my mom being in my home when I was at home, my dad meeting Charis, my three younger siblings meeting Charis, Samuel getting his driver’s license, Luke & Soraya announcing they were pregnant, spending time with Sara and her family, Andy & Rachel’s wedding creating a family reunion for my mom’s side, going to my dad's family biannual reunion, and having our own little family reunion. My family got to be all together for barely 3 days, but packed it full with putt putt golf, a day at the Lake (Thanks to Kelly’s parents!), and a bright and early morning for pictures. Yes, Sara and I made our family take pictures at 7am before Joshua left for work (see below)!


I wish I had the time to write about each of my nieces and nephews and what a blessing to spend time with each of them. What a joy for Charis to have cousins on both sides! What a joy to have Charis’ aunts and uncles, great aunts and great uncles, cousins and second cousins meet her for the first time! What a wonderful families Joshua and I have been blessed with!