Memorial Day Weekend

A picture is worth a thousand words they say. Well, I have about a thousand pictures and a few words. Memorial Day is the annual Gleed Family get together in Malad, Idaho. Malad is a small town just over the border in Idaho that is rich in history and country charm. Malad is a place where you wave to everyone who passes by whether you know them or not, you don't have to lock your doors, it's safe to leave the car keys under the seat, your neighbor watches out for you and where good people take care of each other. Everyone is your neighbor in Malad. Phone numbers are easy in Malad, just the last four digits are all you need and you can't leave without stopping by the Drive-In for an Iron Port. We come here to relax and unwind and de-stress from the busyness of ordinary life. It's a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. I didn't always like Malad. It was too small, the grocery store...yes, singular...closes early and it was dirty. By dirty, I mean, the outdoors. The kids came and got dirty and I hated getting dirty. My father-in-law teases me about how uptight I used to be. Thankfully, over the years, I have matured, adapted and come to realize the beauty and peace that is Malad. I love coming now. It is my respite from life, routine and schedules. We come with no plans, no agendas and grubby clothes. The kids are free to run from sun up to sun down with little or no restrictions. The best part of Malad though, is Grandpa. The kids love their Grandpa. In Malad, mom and dad can't make the rules. There are no unhappy kids at Grandpa's house. He lets them roam free and explore and be kids. Everyone needs a Grandpa like that. Every night is root beer float night and there is ALWAYS a Zinger in the freezer. Sodas are in the fridge on the back porch and my kids, who never drink Soda at home, are free to drink as many as Grandpa keeps stocked. (I think it takes us a few days to pry the kids off the walls after returning home as they drink their weight in soda while we are there.) I'm glad that my kids have a place like this to come and are able to see another side of life.

Anyway, back to Memorial Day. We came up on Saturday and stayed through Monday evening. We had a fabulous time and hated to come home. In all, I think we had around 50 people up for the BBQ at the ranch. I know there are a lot of pictures but it was such a fun weekend and we had such great weather. I have to share an incident that my niece Chandie shared on her blog. Monday was beautiful, not too hot, a cool breeze blowing...just perfect. However, as we started getting ready to eat, lots of dark, ominous clouds began to roll in. It looked like a downpour was on its way. Everyone was a little bit nervous and started to think we might have to crowd under the one canopy we had. I was out 4-wheeling but I guess my father-in-law sat right down in his chair under the open sky and said, "It will go around us". And it did!! Just barely a sprinkle fell and the clouds went away. That is just so like my father-in-law. The day was nearly perfect except for the fact that we missed all missed our mother and grandmother, Jenna Lee. However, I know that she was watching us from above happy as a clam because this day was exactly how she would have wanted it. This was the thing she loved most, being surrounded by family listening to the squeals of her grandkids and the chatter of the adults. Her family was her whole life. I'm grateful to be a part of that.

Picturesque Scenery

Tyler and Lauren have this little "fort" area by the creek.
That tree branch actually spans across the creek.
They like to walk across it and jump to the other bank.

Lauren leaping across the creek to the other side.
Barefoot and all. My little Mark Twain.

Grandpa took all the grandkids on tractor rides.

Chris taking Brooklynn. He had to pry her off the golf cart.
She then decided to go with Grandpa too.

Tyler zooming down the road on this contraption.

I didn't realize he did this until I downloaded
the pictures from the camera.
I'm guessing he enjoyed himself.

Lauren & Tyler climbing the trees.
No, her recent fall didn't curb her climbing desires.

Grandpa was keeping some lambs and a calf for some friends
while they were gone and the kids LOVED them.
They just played in the field all day following them
around and petting them. They were pretty cute.

Tyler - yes, I'm cool.

McKenna and Chris takin' a spin.

Brooklynn

"The Golf Cart" This poor cart probably has 500,000 miles on it.
The kids drive it round and round and round and round. The
idea is to get as many people on as possible. This was Brooklynn's
favorite thing. I am not exaggerating when I say she spent a
good 3-4 hours straight riding in it.

Me and my kiddos.

o

Lauren and her cousin Megan with their little caterpillar.
They spent quite a long time caring for this little guy.

Brooklynn hangin' out with Grandpa

Free to run in the open fields
Tyler is on the left in front and Lauren on the Right
(Cousins Stockton & Mo running behind)

Grandpa had all the kids up in the little barn

and took them all on a lion/bear hunt.

I need to thank Pene for half of these pictures. Our camera died half-way through the day. Her's would be the ones with nice color and an artistic eye. Thanks Pene!!