Prineville was our happy place. Cousins (all the same age for both my brother and I), sleepovers, tons of aunts and uncles ready to treat you as their own, sprint car races, BBQ's, volleyball, swimming, racing old cars in the back open space...I could go on and on.
The fun started as we left the driveway and went until we drove back in, two weeks later.
My brother and I would hop on the back bed and ride the bumps all along the way...the more air we caught, the better! We would look forward to the fruit stand stops in Brigham City...oh, lordy those cherries!
We would save our money and get candy at each gas station...laying on the back bed, listening to our cd players (ok, even tape players in the way old days; "Ice, Ice baby and Hammer time respectively) and passing the miles.
As we pulled into town and saw Jack and Faye's house, I would be SO giddy with excitement I could hardly wait for the motorhome to be leveled...I was out the door so fast.
Immediately, I was begging mom to call Missy and Ash's parents to see if I could go play...as the years passed, play turned into "go to the pool" or "go to the movies".
One of the biggest reasons I love this place is that immediately, when you step out of the motorhome, you are welcome. Welcome to play, to talk, for lots of hugs - you were family. Didn't matter who you belonged too, anyone could get you something to drink, something to eat, more homemade ice cream...this family just loves. Everyone helps everyone. Your kids are everyone's kids.
You know was else was the BEST? Jack and Faye had six kids, of the six kids - all 5 boys raced at some point and, their dad too! AND, they ALL raced sprint cars....out of 15 cars in the race, we had 5 or 6 to root for!! Hanging out in the pit in between races, winning trophies, wrecks and the whole family bundled in blankets on the bleachers cheering on their own. Amazing.
Every year it would take a few days Melissa, Ashley and I to get reacquainted, we would become besties and just about that time, it was time to go home.
As much as I was excited to get there, I was equally as sad to leave...remember the back bed? It was my sad place too. I knew I had over 300 days until we were there again.
I love this place. I have so many happy memories here thanks to these people.
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| The HEART of our Prineville family; Jack and Faye and their 6 kids...They are a HUGE reason I wanted a large family. |
As it happens, the family has grown and grown...marriages, babies, and grandbabies. And, it continues...
I have come out most years even as an adult and while the racing has stopped, the playset is now a flower garden, the two endless weeks of fun are now just a few bittersweet days...this place is still just as comfortable. And, the coolest part? My kids are getting to meet all of these awesome people, they are part of the family, they are getting all the hugs, playtime, homemade ice cream, ATV rides and all love that I got as a child. There isn't anything better.
I hope they grow up with fond memories like I had. They will be different memories, their own traditions and favorite things to do...but, I hope and I am confident they will share the love for these people, same as I do. The next generation is here...
Oh, and wanna hear a funny little secret? They aren't really my family by blood- only by heart, BUT nobody cares. Nobody.
360 more days...I can't wait.
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