reunion: where we stayed

 We're back. From a fantastic week with all of Kent's family together in one house, in the foothills a bit north of San Diego.

The house, the foothills, wow.
This place was awesome.

 We spent hours in this pool.  And who wouldn't?  Caves, waterfalls, built in waterslide, 15 person hot tub, wading pool sections for little kids---it was so much fun!

 Me sitting in Ellie's favorite spot: the top of the waterfall (while it's turned off and dry).  We had to keep a careful eye out for her little body clambering up these rocks; she'd sneak her way up here when no one was paying attention, and we'd find her up here singing songs about rocks and telling herself how good she is at climbing.

 I have to include this picture of the room our family stayed in, even though it's post-bedding removal right before we left, because 
this room was so comfortable.
I don't know if it was the beautiful wall of windows, the ultra-plush carpet, or the just-right beds, but I slept better this past week than I have in a long time.  And I'd wake up as the sun rose, before the rest of my family, and just lay in bed with nothing to do but enjoy the peace and quiet and closeness.  

 Our bedroom view was pretty awesome, too.

I think my favorite part of the location, though, was the just-before-sunset lighting. Every night it was the same; warm golden sunlight so thick you could almost breathe it in.  This light was magical.

We had the most delightful week, and the best part was having our family all together, all 22 of us.

Kent's family is loving, tight-knit, teasing, and close.  Everyone works together and gets along beautifully. Even the children, all ten of them, get along well; I don't think we even once had a fight or problem with any of the kids.  And that? That's amazing.  

I'm so very grateful I get to be a part of this family, and I'm so glad we had such a week together in a beautiful place.