Pictures are still all out of order, but I'm writing this blog about the April 8th eclipse in July, so we're just trying to move along here! I have to stop doing things so I can catch up!
My mom's house just happened to fall right in the path of totality for the April eclipse, and so my cousins came from all over to see the event. My moms house was party central for two days: the day before the eclipse and the day of.
Joanne, Ray, Max and Henry came from PA, and you know how much I love seeing them. While my other cousins stayed in AirBnBs, hotels, and at their parents- the Pekich fam bunked up at my moms house with all of us so we got to spend a little more time with them. All the beds were taken, couches and airmatresses were full, but we made it work.
Some people were only there for the party on Sunday including my cousin Daniel, who I hadn't seen since he was probably like ten. He's a grown man now, with a lovely wife that I got to meet for the first time, and a fun curly head toddler. His sister Erin and her family were there the whole time, as was his oldest brother Thomas, who Asa had literally never met- though we all keep in contact via cousin chat. It was good to catch up with all the Ainsworth fam. They're probably the ones I get to see the least, as they're in California, Oklahoma, and DC.
The Millers from Toledo came down at varying points of time, so we got to visit with them for a hot minute. Griffin was the star of bucket ball, which is harder in my moms yard than the giant field Cort's got going on at his lake house, but it was manageable.
Then there was the Hannifins from Washington. Of course we always love seeing Aunt Patti and Uncle Emmett, but it was a treat to have Bridgette come with her boyfriend, Jay (who hopefully we did not scare off with our 'get to know you questions such as: what are your top three favorite birds'). Tim and his wife, who I just adore (hi Emily!) and their kiddo Gareth also made the trip across the country. The night of the eclipse, they hung around for awhile and we got to hang out with just them. It was amazing catching up and cheering on their young parenthood. Plus, Gareth is such an enjoyable kid. At one point Calib decided to grab the older teenagers and walk down to the movies to get a bucket of popcorn, and Gareth was literally entertained for hours throwing popcorn that Asa and Emily would try and catch in their mouths. Later, he used the bucket to do his favorite activity: picking up trash. He even got Calib into it for a good hour that last night.
On my dads side we got to see Jake, of course. He almost always makes the trip to see us when he's up, and this time he brought his girlfriend, Riley, so we got to meet her for the first time. (They're actually coming tomorrow to visit on either side of Jake's birthday cruise!)
I also got a fun visit from my dad's cousins Bruce and Betty from Michigan. I wish I had gotten to spend a little more time with them while they were there, but I was greatful they made the trip anyway.
We had so much fun leading up to the eclipse. We broke into different groups for things like walking down to the presidential center to find horse graves, heading downtown for some coffee, playing bucket ball, throwing popcorn, accusing each other of being Cannibals during Donner Dinner Party, picking up trash with Gareth (and having silly face competitions), watching marathons of 100,000 Dollar Pyramid, and celebrating a bunch of holidays just like we did at the last party we had at my grandmas house. There were Christmas lights, an egg hunt, and even a pinata- a nod to my grandma's 95th birthday in which she told me she had never had a pinata- for her birthday and I decided she needed to have one. And of course, in true Ainsworth fashion there was plenty of food and drink for all (Holly is great to have as a casual drinking buddy, she'll split anything with me!)
The eclipse itself was nothing short of amazing. I had literal nightmares leading up to it that I'd come all that way and then there would be so much cloud cover, you wouldn't be able to see much of anything. But a cloudy morning led way to sunny skies and we ended up with a perfect view of it right from my moms front yard. No more travel (expect the 1,000 miles from my house to hers) needed.
I really did think it would be cool, but I had no idea it'd be THAT cool. The moment of totality when you could take off your glasses, and look around in the dark was amazing. Birds swooping around as if it was suddenly nightfall, bugs making their evening noises- it was super cool. We even pulled out some sparklers that the kids did mid-eclipse. I just can't describe to you how awesome it was. Either you saw it, or you don't really get it. Those are the two kinds of people in the world.
After the eclipse, everyone started to peel off. But, we did spend the evening with the Hannifins, and Olivia of course was still there. I was so glad she came from Arizona to see the whole thing. Plus, selfishly, I miss her, so it's nice to see her face in person.
And then when it was just us left, my good friend from grade school/high school, came over to see me. I was so exhausted, but it was so nice of Ben to make time for me. I love him to my core.
Next up: Heading north for a week!
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