Back To My Roots

The kids had last week off of school and Rob was going to be out of town on business so I decided to pack the kids up and head west. My parents graciously let us invade their house for the week and patiently put up with the chaos and messes we created. The kids and I came up with a plan for the week. I knew that I had a big job ahead of me trying to keep them entertained.

The morning after we arrived in town I decided to wake up early and take the kids on a tour of the town I was born and raised in. I took them around to all the places that have contributed to the person I am today.

The following pictures are all crummy cell phone pictures because I forgot my camera at home. Total bummer.

This is the infamous "Sunset" house also known as "The Haunted House." We lived in this house from the time I was nine until I was 13. It was the neatest house and I have so many fond memories living there. If you look close, you can see a window to the third story we had built after we bought the house. It was through that window that a line of fish wire was tied out of and strung across the street to the neighbors tree where my brothers flung naked barbies across to scare passing drivers. It was in this backyard that my brothers taunted and (dare I say) tormented stray kittens. It was in this house that memories were made and lifelong bonds were created. I promise you that this house was and probably still is haunted. I'm completely serious. I'm certain that all of my siblings and both of my parents can verify this. I'm sure the countless nannies and housekeepers could confirm this as well. We never could keep a housekeeper for long before the ghosts would scare them off. This house is actually a city historical site now and has a plaque that is permanently displayed in the front yard. It is one of the oldest houses in town. If it were ever to go up for sale, I would be seriously tempted to buy it and keep it in the family. My kids found it to be extremely fascinating and can't seem to get enough of the stories that I have to tell.

This picture turned out really blurry but it is a picture of Caleb in front of the "Pregnant Tree" that was in front and to the side of the house. I have fond memories of this tree and trying to climb to the top of it.

I had to take the kids to the bakery my dad would take us to almost every morning on the way to school. They have the best donuts in the world and it was because of these donuts that I was never able to run the mile in P.E. NEVER underestimate the value of a healthy breakfast! When I walked in the bakery with my 6 kids the ladies were a little puzzled. Nobody ever believes that I could possibly be the mother of 6 kids because apparently I look like I'm 12. I told the bakery ladies that I had to bring my kids to the bakery that I grew up going to. The donuts haven't changed a bit in 33 years. Still really yummy and still really bad for you.

After the bakery I took them by Chester Ln. Market. Talk about GHETTO! This was the store we used to walk to when we lived in the above house. We would blow all our allowance on junk that would rot our teeth and contribute to thousands of dollars in dental work I'm sure. This is where I fell in love with Now and Laters and Chicko-Sticks. Ahh, those were the days.

I took the kids over to my old High School. Again, GHETTO. Caleb is standing in front of the driller mascot. Good and super bad memories at this school. Mostly good. I drove the kids around the campus and showed them all the hot spots and where I used to park, eat lunch...

Caleb kept saying, "NO WAY!" Your school was so much better than mine! Yes, our football team rocked, we had the BEST nachos and our auditorium was definitely something to brag about but really, if he only knew...

I also took the kids by the house my grandparents lived in for 50 or so years. They sold it when they started serving missions which makes me a little sad. Some of my greatest childhood memories were created in this house. We used to climb the big tree our front. My grandparents had a lot of fruit trees out back that used to produce some of the best snacks and juice. I always felt safe and happy when I was there with my grandparents. There were sleepovers and Christmas get togethers. It was a little sad to see how run down it looked and how the trees out back had been removed. Funny how things can change so much and years can go by but the memories come flooding back as soon as I pull up to that old house on Edna.

The rest of the week was spent letting the kids run wild around grandma and grandpas house. They love all the room they had and loved exploring their enormous yard.

Rachel found a mask and kept wanting to put it on and scare me. I should have brought it home for Rob to wear on Halloween.

The kids were able to spend some time with my brother's boys. My brother and SIL were living it up in Hawaii while we were there but they let us come steal their boys from the babysitter and we had some fun. Sarah loves her cousin Jack and they always have fun goofing off together.

I loved getting to spend time with my brother and his sweet family. Here he is on his birthday holding his baby boy Jesse. This baby boy is gorgeous. Like, get-him-an-agent gorgeous! I wish I had taken more pictures!

We had fun going to the park I grew up playing at. My brother did a video shoot of the kids and I and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product soon.

This was Rachel about 5 minutes after arriving at the park. I spent a lot of time getting the kids ready and looking nice but it was cold and DIRTY. I'm afraid that my kids are going to look like white trash in the video but oh well.

Kennedy standing by the stage at the park where we used to make up plays when I was little.

We even got to see these guys. My baby sister and her cool hubby. They don't have kids yet so they get their fix by getting a baby bunny and pretending it's their kid. Just wait until they actually have a kid and realize that it was SO much easier just having a bunny.

This is my mom's dog Maggie. Caleb begged me all week to take her home and could have probably convinced my mom to let her have her. Needless to say Maggie is still my mom's dog.

The last day we were in town, Caleb received something very special from my grandfather. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip. Oh, how I love my grandpa and grandma!

It was a great week! I wish I had brought my camera because there were some great things that I wished I had captured. Thanks mom and dad for putting up with The Matson Family Circus for a week!