Hutchinson Family Pictures 2009

All us Hutchinson's last had a family picture taken in 2001 with just eight people. We have grown to a whopping 17 people. This last minute, afterthought picture at the end of our session ended up being the crowd favorite.
Adam and I haven't had a family picture since . . . NEVER. This is our FIRST!

Our children were running amok while we had this picture taken.

When the photographer said "mom and daughters" I didn't join the group. I was then told to sit myself down and be in the picture where I belonged. I appreciated that. I have incredible sisters and mom-in-law.

My favorite part of looking at other people's family pictures is trying to pick out the siblings vs. the spouses. Can you guess?

The two guys standing on the ends and me in the middle are in-laws.

Did you guess right?

We were all looking forward to getting a grand kids picture. Such a cute little group of friends/cousins.

Men folk. I am fortunate to have awesome brothers-in-law. I love it when all the grown-ups get together and can chat (in peace). I end up with aching cheeks and tears in my eyes from laughing so hard (their wives are pretty funny too).

And the family picture we were first trying to get but ended up liking the tree one better.

FYI, pink kids belong to Randy and Angie, teal kids belong to me and Adam and green child is Emily and Sean's.

I am so blessed to have married into such a loving and accepting family. I love watching the family grown in number and in size (kids growing up). The cousins play incredibly well and can't stand to be apart for too long. The begging to play is actually pretty cute!

For the first time ever (I think) we all happen to live in Salt Lake right now. Its so much fun!

I am thankful for my "other family" and how much they love me. I love them an awful lot too.

Memphis 2009

I have this really cool husband who, every year, says, "So, when do you want to go to Memphis this year?" And every year we take a trip back east and I don't have to bug him or pout or anything annoying like that. That's so not my style!

I also, have these really cool women in my family. My sister, Audra, is a picture taking enthusiast that seems to always have her camera handy.
Meggan, my sister (in-law), who is quickly becoming a picture taking expert. She has this really cool camera that takes awesome pics AND she always has it handy. So, because Audra and Megg are such cool pictures people I don't feel the need to be the third person taking pictures.
Now I just have to sweet talk them for copies of the pics.

We always have a blast on our trips. We have things we always, always do and somethings that are new each year. Man, I love trips home!
* This year we added Nauvoo to our fun. Mom and dad were brave enough, I mean, sweet enough to take all seven grand kids (ages six months to 11 years) while all four siblings and spouses did a session at the Nauvoo Temple, a first for the four siblings (at any temple). That weekend we visited Old Nauvoo, made rope, got prairie diamonds, took a wagon ride, visited Carthage Jail and enjoyed having all 16 of us together.
* We got to hang out a little extra with Ben and Megg in St. Louis before Ben had to get back to school. They hosted a cousins' sleepover that was a huge success.
*Memphis tradition, we had dinner (of Krystals, of course) one evening down at the River Park. We sat on a blanket and talked while the kids played then walked along the river until the more kids had scraped knees than not.
*Adam, Sam and I ventured out for a new barbecue experience. We ended up at Neely's and it was goood! (no pics, be thankful for that)
* Adam and I got in a few runs where we sweat like little piggies and they felt good (no pics, be thankful for that too)
*We experienced a really good storm last Friday. Really good! I love good storms. I miss them!
*Mud Island where they have the football field long replica of the Mississippi River that you can splash and play in, that dumps into a big fountain (the Gulf) at New Orleans. Love that place except it is hotter than blue blazes for the adults.
*Swimming at Aunt Meggan's mom and dad's place. Thank you Kennedys.
*Getting to visit with Grandma Agnes and Walter.

I'm sure I forgot something or many things. Hopefully the wonderful pictures from Audra and Meggan will jog my memory. I promise pics soon!

The Most

I have a friend, Denae, who asked the question on her blog, "What's the most tender thing you've ever seen?" I gave the question I quick thought, couldn't decide, then went to find my chiming cell phone. When I returned to the computer our random pictures screen saver was on. This picture was on and I instantly thought of Denae's question.
This happens to be when Joseph was born. For one reason or another I don't have this picture with the girls but I'm so glad I have at least one.
This is how I see my children for the first time. I only have one free hand and about a minute before the baby is whisked away. The nurses hand the baby to Adam and he brings them to me. And for the first time, still feeling the warmth and tugging of the surgeon and the OB doing their thing, I get just a moment with my newest heart throb. Just a moment to meet and savor this brand new person I love so deeply and completely.

These are the best moments. These are the moments that make me, yes me, cry. And the tears collect in the ears, just like the country song. And then Adam and the baby are gone. I stay behind for a while longer, then post-op, warm blankets and chills, the "good stuff" in my IV, then nurses and doctors and visitors and more nurses. The moment is gone and parenting and growing up begins.

These are my most tender moments.

And yours?