The Redd Aunts

The Redd Aunts decided to take a sister's trip down here to Albuquerque! Karen was coming down to collect Carolynn's son Matthew, who had spent a week with Cassie, and she asked if Naomi wanted to come see us. One thing led to another and pretty soon all four sisters had signed on to the road trip. They dropped Naomi off just before bedtime last night, and the rest went on to stay with the Barrios. 

Today was such a great day. Hyrum and Grandma went out to pick cactus fruit before school, and worked together throughout the morning to produce a pint of juice in addition to plenty of fruit for eating raw. We added some of the juice to frozen limeade to make a beautiful, fun drink. The color of this fruit is incredible!

The middle of the day was spent doing school and preparing for everyone to come over in the evening. It was amazing to have another useful adult around to help with lessons, especially since I was also working on party food. 

 Everyone, minus Beto, who was doing a job in Santa Fe, came over in the late afternoon for dinner and games. I contributed BBQ venison ribs, roast vegetables and homemade sausage, baked artichoke dip with homemade artisan bread, brownie bites, and flan. Cassie brought caprese salad and watermelon, and Marci brought fresh peppers and cucumbers from her greenhouse. Along with Hyrum's cactus fruit limeade, it was quite the spread!

We did a lot of visiting, and played a few rounds of Good Cop, Bad Cop, which the kids are able to play. Shawna had a Pathways meeting she had to log into, and Karen and Cassie took Lucas and Matthew home around bedtime, so the evening was a bit disjointed, but it was so fun to have everyone here. I love Matthew's extended family so much, and felt so much joy to host them in my home.