Taking in Life Around Me.....#Sundaystills....Family and Friends

This #sundaystills challenge is hosted by Terri from Second Wind Leisure. It's a great themed photography challenge that you'll enjoy. I love seeing the other participants interpretation of the theme each week...it causes me to think outside the box. I joined in hopes of it pushing me to get out and take more photos...I have to some degree, but I also like that Terri is okay with us finding photos in our archives, which is also a lot of fun. So check out my photos and then head over to Terri's page to participate or visit other's posts. There are some awesome contributors who always inspire me.

This week we're sharing our photos that include our family and friends. One of my favorite things to do is to gather memories by taking photos of the people I love. Some may say I take too many (I disagree..haha). BUT I am guilty of always having my camera and/or phone handy to capture a picture or video.

I perused through my photos and grabbed some that meant a lot to me. Family, and let's face it, friend relationships can be tricky sometimes, and I've had my share of broken and estranged relationships, some have been mended, others haven't yet. Some I have hope for, and others, well, I just don't know. That's the way life goes sometimes. These photos aren't in any particular order, and while I wanted to take some time to do some fun edits, I didn't get around to it. 

This photo was taken June of 2020. My grandma had passed away in March and most of us (my aunts, and cousins) got together to honor her and go through photos. It was a wonderful time there. I hadn't seen some of them in quite awhile. This was in the tasting room at their then Vineyard/tasting room. They chose to close it last year and semi-retire. 

One of our favorite things to do is spend time with the grandkids. One of the days during our vacation, my daughters and I went to see a movie so the grandkids hung out with their Poppi. They sent us this picture of them all eating ice cream. 

Grandkids help keep you motivated to stay healthy and active. 

You're never too old to make new friends. My mother-in-law and her friend of about 5ish years. Lee is 87 and my MIL is 81. We have done two Great Columbia Crossing events. These ladies are amazing and I consider it an honor to know them.

In 2022 My family all took a trip to Kelleys Island. What a treat for me to share a place we went to when I was growing up and to see it through other peoples eyes. They all loved it. Here is Pepper with my aunt and uncle, two of my moms siblings. 

My moms side of the family is rather large. Above and below are brother and sister, and 2nd cousins to me (I believe...haha). I saw them for the first time since I was little last summer when I was there. My cousin Eric said when he saw me, it was like looking at my mom. 

One of the things I love most about visiting my family in Ohio is playing games. I am a lover of games. 

I'm thankful for my relationship with my daughters. I'm thankful they enjoy being with me and invite me to do things and even go on trips.

In 2018 we made the best choice to all go to Florida for my grandmas 90th birthday. We celebrated it in August so most everyone could be there. She got to meet my grandson for the first time. What a special trip. It was the last time my girls would see her as she passed away in 2020.

This was on one of our many trips to Florida when our girls were young. We tried to go every 2 years and it was such a special time. 

This might have been a year or so before my mom passed away. My grandma had come to visit and they came down for a visit. They were very special ladies! 

One of the very few times my dad and sister came down for a visit. This was around Easter and we all went down to the tulip fields. Once my mom (the glue) passed away it was hard to get anyone together. Relationships became strained and it's been tough navigating them. 

My dad passed away in 2021. I love these few pictures from 2018 when he came down around Christmas and got to see his first great grandson. I sure wish he was still around. 

These friends have been ones who've stuck around through thick and thin and we are so thankful for them. For awhile we all (a few missing here), got together once a year for a friendsgiving. Such a special time. 

This photo was taken on a recent Sunriver vacation. Having both my parents gone makes me really appreciate my in-laws even more. 

 More game playing with my aunts. 

Our grandson is really into trading cards right now so my hubby will sometimes take him to one of the card shops locally and it's fun watching him chat with the workers. 

This was a fun photo taken probably early 80's when we took a trip to Ohio to visit family. I'm the back left, then my cousin, my mom and dad, and two of my aunts. My sister is in the front. This was my mom's parents house. I loved their house.  

Enjoying more family time in Sunriver. 

These are two of my favorite cozy mystery authors. The gal on the left is local (though she did just move to the coast), and I've been to a few of her author events and loved getting to know her and reading her books. Above was last summer at a larger book event, and below was just a week ago at one of our local bookstores. 

Last summer I went back to my old stomping grounds to visit some friends, and I made a point to meet my aunt for coffee. She was married to my moms brother, but even after they divorced, we always stayed close. She's still close to everyone in the family. They all knew each other when they were younger. 

My mother in law jumped out of a plane for her 80th birthday and these 3 jumped out with her. My brother in law, our friend Danny and my nephew. What a group of amazing people. 

I love snuggles with these little ones. 

Dear friends who grew up with my hubby, were so glad I wasn't a snobby city girl when he brought me to church for the first time and who we don't see near enough. We've been through thick and thin with them. 

Our buddy Danny who has been in our lives for probably over 20 years. Since 2019 he has lived with us, and recently moved out to embark on a new adventure. He has been a hiking buddy with my hubby and myself sometimes, and helped us finish our house. 

I know that was a lot of photos to share, but trust me, I could've shared more.! People are important to me and I love celebrating them. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin