Visiting with Family

Mom's Grandpa Blagden (Grandma Roger's Dad) passed away last Thursday, and they asked Aaron, Anthony, and I to play a special for the funeral. We headed down to Bushnell, IL for the visitation on Sunday night. We stayed overnight at a hotel with some of our family and had a nice time visiting with them on Sunday night. The funeral was on Monday morning, and all the family went to Uncle Alvin (Grandma Roger's brother) and Aunt Connie's house for lunch. Mom hadn't seen Uncle Steve and Aunt Annette for about ten years, so she had a nice time visiting with them.

It seems like wherever we go, Anthony always gets asked to play "The Orange Blossom Special." ;)

It is such a cool song!

some of the family

Uncle Steve, Grandma, Aunt Andrea, and Aaron

You'll Aaron is leanig over the side of the couch because he doesn't want to sit that close to Aunt Andrea....

so she gave him a big hug. lol ;)
Aunt Annette, Michelle, Uncle Corey, Dad

Mom, Anthony, Grandpa

I had gotten Austin a set of variouse card games including Old Maid, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, etc. He played with any one who would, and here he is playing with Hope's nephew. Hope is watching them play in this picture. She is the wife of mom's cousin Tim (Uncle Alvin and Aunt Connie's son).

Grandma and Aunt Judy

Aunt Annette and Uncle Steve in deep conversation

Michelle, Mom, Aunt Andrea, and Aunt Annette

Tim (Uncle Alvin's son), Aunt Connie, Grandma, and Aaron (Uncle Alvin's son)

Uncle Corey and Dad trying to figure out where they were at- We had followed Grandpa Roger's to Uncle Alvin and Aunt Connie's house.

Aaron and Grandpa

Aunt Andrea doing a "Tae Kwon Do" move on Anthony

Michelle

Aaron and Grandpa

Aunt Annette

Uncle Steve

Mom

Aunt Andrea's teacher look ;)

Uncle Corey

Dad and Uncle Alvin

Uncle Steve visiting with Aaron and Anthony

Uncle Harold, Aunt Barbara, and Grandma Roger's cousin CarlGrandpa and Uncle Steve with his Mountain Dew ;)

Grandma and Uncle Harold

Uncle Corey, Grandpa, Uncle Steve- the three pastor's talking

Austin got Michelle to play with him

Grandma and Aunt Connie

Cousin Carl, Uncle Alvin, Aunt Annette

Grandpa Blagden's sister (the only child left from his family of 10 siblings)

Aunt Connie was a wonderful and gracious hostess. Thank you for having us in your home!!! It was a great blessing!Grandma, Aunt Andrea, Mom, Aunt Annette

Aunt Andrea tickling Alec

Aunt Andrea, Michelle, Aaron, and Anthony playing a card game called Kemps

Aunt Connie and Uncle Alvin

Aunt Judy and Uncle Denny

brothers and sister

Uncle Alvin, Grandma, and Uncle Denny

Grandma and Grandpa with all thier cildren

Grandpa and Grandpa with all their kids and some of thier grandchildren

We were missing Andrew, Uncle Steve's wife Rebecca and thier seven children, Uncle Corey Aunt Annette's three older girls who are at college, and Uncle Harold's two children. it was so nice to visit with family that we have not seen in a while. Family is truly a blessing from God!

We will greatly miss Grandpa Blagden, but we know he is in heaven. Although we are sad that he is absent physically from us, we are rejoicing that he is in a better place where he would much rather be. God chose him before the foundation of the world and held him in the palm of His hand, and at the end, He brought his dear child home to Him. It is a reminder that we always need to be living our lives for Christ in daily sanctification because we may die at any moment. Grandpa Blagden left a legacy of faithfulness godliness for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to follow, and now we need to take up his banner and carry it even further to bring honor and glory to God alone.

~Amber~