I was able to take a week and a half off to go see my family, which was great. On Friday, August 2nd, I flew out of Rexburg, passed through the Denver airport, and arrived in Knoxville, TN around 4:30am on Saturday. My flight was supposed to get there around 12:30am instead, but what can you do? Airport people are dumb; they can't help it.
My cousin Serena was getting married, so that's what the whole Tennessee thing was about. After entering the state, indulging in IHOP's new red velvet pancakes, and getting around five hours of sleep, I got up and ready for the day with my mom and brother to help set up for the reception. I am one of 37 cousins in the Barron family, so once the older cousins started getting married, there was virtually a domino effect. We've had at least one or two weddings every summer for the past eight years (cousins Joseph and Serena got married this summer). Needless to say, our family has gotten pretty good at arranging and organizing receptions.
- Aunt Trish and Aunt Carol make the cakes.
- Uncle Ellis owns the majority of the decorating materials. (tool, tablecloths, fake flowers, etc etc.)
- My mother makes the bouquets and arranges the flowers.
- Cousin Mike is the DJ and announcer with all the equipment.
- Everyone makes food.
So, the kids in my age group (myself, Elena, Joseph, Gastón, Ellen, both sets of twins, and my brother) are generally the ones that are used for help. The adults tell us what to do, and we make sure it gets done. This year
Gastón , Joseph, Avery and I were in charge of doing most of the decorating. Overall, everything ended up looking good, Serena looked happy, and there was a new batch of cute new 2nd cousins to play with.
As for Sunday, my mother, Avery, Nyroc (our dog), and I drove from Tennessee, to the rental home my family's occupying in Florida. It was an excruciating thirteen hour drive (the dog is terrible in the car; he whined and barked the whole time), but we made it down there around 1:00am on Monday.
And I have to say, I've missed the beauty that is Florida. Everything is green, there're palm trees in every yard, the flowers are gorgeous, and the beach...good gracious the beach. Because I was there Monday-Thursday, I only got to go to the beach once. It was barely ten minutes away from the house, and it. was. phenominal. The water was warm, the sand was hot, and the waves were enormous. My brothers, sister and I got some great boogie-boarding in. I was also able to salvage a couple of really nice shells. Maybe I'll post a picture of 'em sometime.
But the family was good. Chandler's a Junior and Moira's a Sophomore, and they're both doing marching band at their new school; I couldn't be happier. Avery's getting ready to attend school in Provo. Dad seemed to be adjusting well at his new job, Mom was excited to have her new washer and dryer, and Grandma...well, let's just say she's got a whole four or five marbles left. While seeing everyone was fine and dandy, I found myself wanting to get back to Rexburg after a certain point. Not because I wanted to be in Rexburg more than Viera (Florida), but because I wanted to be out doing my own thing again. Is that weird?
Speaking of Florida, though, it's that time of year again: SHARK WEEK!!
All week long, my television will be locked on Discovery Channel. It's the event's 25th Anniversary, and I am just ecstatic. Also, can I just say that I'm absolutely enamored by breaching great whites? I find it to be one of the most beautiful things.
Oh yeah. I've also got a boyfriend. Phil and I have been dating for a month now. Annndddd...that's all I'm going to say on that.
