The walnut doesn't fall far from the family tree

My family was sitting around the kitchen table, basking in the sunlight that streamed through the large windows. Outside it was a gorgeous fall day in North Carolina, 75 degrees and beautiful. My grandparents were visiting and sharing stories. My grandmother told us how one of her siblings was engaged to be married to a man before he went on his mission. "We don't do that anymore". Mom told us when Dad first met her parents, he threw a snow ball down Grandma's neck. Then as they were driving out of the canyon, he got out of the car and picked some wild flowers. Grandma said her mother kept a meticulous diary, so whenever she would tell a story that Great-Grandpa didn't remember, she would say, I'll go get my diary. So Grandma inherited these diaries, and looked up the day she got engaged. Nothing. Apparently it wasn't memorable to her mother. Mom said she and Dad had gone to her parents house to tell them of their intention to get married, but that Grandpa kept getting up from the table. Finally they were able to share the news, and then Mom's brother came in, so Grandma said, Your sister has decided to increase our family, and Mom's brother said, "Oh, she's adopting from the Indian Welfare program?". Grandpa and Dad sat through the series of stories saying they didn't remember anything, and how could any of it possibly be true. Mom then told about Grandpa's sister driving to meet a return missionary, and passing out on the road, and when he got off the plane, he said, How you been kid, and punched her in the arm, she knew she would marry him. Grandpa didn't remember this story, and said anything from his sister was exaggerated, so then to have Mom tell it, means it was twice as exaggerated, so my sister said the only thing we could be certain of is this guy got off a plane.

I enjoyed hosting my grandparents and sisters one evening so they could see the new paint job and the big tv. The best part to me was my grandparents being very excited to watch baseball in HD, and my sisters sitting over in one of my big recliners, giggling and whispering because baseball does not interest them.

We also got to go to a Civil War site and see some rifles being fired, and tents, and ride in a buggy. We are all very glad that we have better accommodations today when doing things like Girls Camp.

And what family visit would be complete without food? Mom went all out because we had two birthdays to celebrate. First, there was salmon with a wonderful coating of seasonings, a fruit basket, mashed sweet potatoes. My sister made a beautiful and delicious cheesecake. Then we got to eat pasta with seasoned bread and more fruit, followed by cinnamon rolls.