it seems as if i always take at least one photo of the sunset when jason and go to visit his family that lives near des moines.
![IMG_7576](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6100/6222147956_935db47d20_z.jpg)
we went to visit the family again on october 1st to honor and remember jason’s uncle (and second dad), fred, who passed away mid-august.
![IMG_7578](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6059/6222150108_391ab92afb_z.jpg)
![IMG_7579](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6152/6221631105_d737714f96_z.jpg)
we toasted his memory with chocolate and coke. a lot of it.
![IMG_7582](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6100/6221631889_4fbaecf17b_z.jpg)
![IMG_7592](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6118/6221633719_62d20a578a_z.jpg)
it was a really beautiful day. the perfect day, almost — except for the fact that we were missing one very important person.
![IMG_7599](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6038/6221635521_f545b50cc1_z.jpg)
![IMG_7604](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6118/6222158462_4f2760585b_z.jpg)
![IMG_7617](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6156/6222161026_6021cc02a2_z.jpg)
i didn’t get to have fred in my life for very long, but i’m so glad i had the time i did. and that i have so much more time to spend with jason’s extended family. they are wonderful people.
![IMG_7632](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6052/6222162436_7f75c94e8d_z.jpg)
![IMG_7675](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6035/6222165022_d7953a6e22_z.jpg)
![IMG_7677](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6044/6221645149_537f3ec12d_z.jpg)
of course, i have one pretty awesome person to thank for introducing this family to my life.
![IMG_7691](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6219/6222167886_45929e3480_z.jpg)
i’ve felt welcome since the very first time i met them all, about two years ago.
![IMG_7692](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6053/6222168792_87a25d8b93_z.jpg)
and they are all superb givers-of-hugs, which i appreciate.
![IMG_7696](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6048/6222170688_0d1575cc79_z.jpg)
![IMG_7698](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6157/6221651725_2cb7dfe1d0_z.jpg)
![IMG_7702](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6100/6221653203_76e87b1631_z.jpg)
![IMG_7703](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6214/6222175580_1d6f0fed98_z.jpg)
![IMG_7704](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6159/6221656467_f0bf753906_z.jpg)
i can’t think of the right words to convey how i feel at the moment, but i’ve sort of adopted a theme in my life for the past few months — grateful.
![IMG_7705](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6047/6221657669_2103b573a3_z.jpg)
every moment is worth treasuring.
![100_1594](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6051/6221658331_c6e96199f6_z.jpg)
(especially those that happen at kiosks in small midwestern malls!)
Leave a Reply