Maddex Family Reunion

When I was still a singleton, my family challenged me with one task:  marry into a big family.  Our clan loves nothing more than getting a huge gang together for ample hootin' and hollerin' and based on my familial "position", it was up to me to expand the base.  Be careful what you ask for.

We four (Michelle too!) spent this past weekend up in Leadville with the entire Maddex crew.  That's close to 40 Maddexes in one place.  With 7 missing.  And yes, every single person there had the last name Maddex - boys are very dominant in this group!

The original 5 Maddex Boys

We had such an enjoyable time.  Just being in Leadville in the summer is amazing - the wild flowers are blooming, the air is fresh, the mountains are still snow capped but the weather is warm and lazy.   

It was Cooper and mommy's first solo flight, and we did just fine!  Helps when you land a free seat for the boy!

We spent most mornings lazing around the house while the boys played golf.  Every afternoon held an activity, from a mountain train ride to watching the world cup finals at The Silver Dollar (go Germany!).

I finally made it to the Silver Dollar Saloon.  It was all I'd hoped for and more.

World Cup Finals

Cooper slept through most of it

But woke up just in time to see Germany clinch it.  GOAL!!!

One too many milks.

Ready for a train ride!

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And evenings were spent gathered at a house in the woods, BBQing for 30, frisbee golfing our hearts out and sitting around a campfire long into the night.   I had such a lovely time getting to know the few in the family I'd had yet to meet and spent one night sitting around a table with the older uncles, debating politics and solving the world's problems.  It was a hoot.

Meeting all the cousins

Laughing at Grandpa

We got to seek refuge from the larger group by staying at Donna's house, which was so lovely and comfortable.  She delighted in seeing Cooper and spending so much time with him and we delighted in introducing him to Leadville, and even more importantly, to Eric.   It was an overwhelmingly meaningful moment watching Jesse with Cooper at Eric's resting spot, with the entire family gathered around.  Healing is the word that comes to mind the most.  It's hard to put into words but it was almost as if I could see parts of Jesse start to heal by uniting his boy with his brother.  Incredibly powerful and important for all of us.  The other kids spent their time bringing flower after flower to Eric's headstone and you couldn't help but feel lifted and hopeful - new life, new hope, new beginnings.  Children bring levity to any situation and there was something so poetic about Jesse and all the kids, sitting with Eric, sharing in this special place and just existing in the moment.   

Cooper won the hearts of the family and was a very good boy, even at 10,200 feet.   He was happy and smiley and giggly for everyone, and seemed right at home in the mountain air.   Getting him to laugh has become easier and he is RIGHT on the brink of crawling.   He now has the legs figured out and only needs to understand how to move his hands and he will be on the move.  We feel we'll be announcing this any day now...!