Celebrating Uncle Bruce's Life

Our last day in Kentucky, we got a phone call.  Stephen's Uncle Bruce had passed away to be with his Father in heaven.  Bruce's twin brother, Brice, is Stephen's dad.  He was devastated, as were many, and it was hard to be far away wishing there was something we could do.  We were all very sad, and started planning a trip to attend his service and be with the family.

This picture was taken six years ago (I think)  Uncle Bruce is on the far left, with Brice in the middle in yellow, between him and Stephen.  I have more recent ones...but I really like this one.

Though it has been a LONG time since the kids have gotten to see this many of Stephen's side of the family, they immediately took to socializing and playing with their family and cousins like it had just been yesterday. 

Courtney showed Clyde how to catch a lizard and not get bitten.  Though they DIDN'T catch him by the tail, he still dropped his tail to avoid being caught again.  Clyde kept it...and now it has turned green.

Cousins!  Rarely get to see each other, but when they do...

 Lucy, with her allergies, rarely gets to love on dogs.  But Marley was very sweet and calm so she petted on him as much as she could.

First evening gathering at Uncle Milton and Aunt Paula's house...

 The day of the service for Uncle Bruce arrived and my kids were very sad.  I was mean and made them smile for photo ops that rarely happen.  But when it was all over, we began RE-introducing them to people whom they had met as babies and toddlers... or had never met at all.  They really enjoyed all the family time.

Older girls, ready to depart....sure did miss seeing Madison!  This is Lucy, Courtney, and Summer.

We had the "cousin van" on the way there.

Iris and Anna...

Got a pic of Brice's boys...aka- Stephen and bros... (Reece, Stephen, and Don)

 Brice talking to two of his boys, Stephen and Don...

More cousin pics...  (funny fact- 6 of these 7 cousins' dads have the same first and last name...just a different spelling)

Courtney and Lucy with Aunt Betty...SOOO happy to see Aunt Betty!

Aunt Paula and William...LOVE

Stephen and and his cousin Kathy....

More Brice and sons... LOVE these <3 are="" br="" do="" dudes="" handsome="" i="" if="" myself="" pics...="" say="" so="" some="" those="">

Gathering and hanging out at Milton and Paula's later...

Bashful Lucy with Funny Outgoing Dawson...

more Brice and sons....(hey, I'm not crazy...it's been a while...extremely rare event that I'm repetively documenting here!)

 Robert, Bruce's sweet and creative son, and his supportive girlfriend, Annette...

Later girls drawing...

Boys juggling and pillow fighting...

Hanging out...

Last day, while Joey and Stephen took Reece on an unexpected, early, partial trip home after he unexpectedly broke his leg :( , the rest of us, still at Tammy's, went out to eat and prayed for healing and safe travels and for comfort and the peace that passes understanding for everyone grieving Uncle Bruce

We appreciate so much Joey and Tammy opening their home up to an additional five people!!  Dustin, THANKS FOR YOUR ROOM! We know yall HATE thank-yous, but oh well.  It's how I was brought up ;)  Love staying with you guys... it felt like home!