(Adalynn's POV)(AN: Planning these next few posts almost cost me my sanity so I had to remix the plans I had. The big family lore drops will come at the end of this sim year as an end-of-year round up type of thing when they do their newsletters. Not sure when the next big family photos will be cause the game keeps misbehaving, so I'll cross that bridge when I get there.)
Happy Harvestfest! We survived the journey to Newcrest and made it in one piece, we did have to stop a few times to feed the girls and for bathroom breaks but other than that we made it to Newcrest 2 days before Harvestfest so we could have a day to unwind from the journey but also so I could help my mother and sisters with preparation. The boys stay in the boys room since all my brothers are married with their own households, they love getting to sleep in their uncles' room, it makes them feel grown up and is a giant sleepover. AJ and Benji came over and they had a sleepover for the entire time we were in town so it was great that the boys got to spend time with their cousins. Getting to be in the kitchen with my mother and sisters again was so refreshing for my soul. Beckett and Mandy were also in town for Harvestfest as well as to fundraise for their work in the mission field. They're back for longer than usual as they want to see a doctor to get more answers on their chances of having children. They've been married for 6 years and have not gotten any straight answers on why they've been unable to conceive a child, we pray that they get the answers that they seek.
We actually had our main Harvestfest celebrations at Newcrest Baptist's hall in a combined dinner with our extended family, so we prepared all the food as arranged in our groups then headed to church for an (almost all family) service then we had our meal. My uncle Branden led us in a prayer of thanksgiving, with my dad handling the sermon and my aunt Claire and my sister Zoe handling the music for the day. It was such a blessing to be with almost my entire extended family as we gathered to praise and thank the Lord for all that He has done in our lives over the past year. There have been A LOT of new babies born so there was a mini introduction for them as well since they will have their own dedication services at a later date. It was so good to get up with the twins and introduce them to almost all of their Collins side of the family.
When we were done at church, we headed back to my parents house and gathered there for dinner with just us (my siblings and their families) and did the celebrations for the autumn birthdays. I think autumn is the smallest birthday month because there was only me (turning 36), Barrett and Macie (turning 35) from the siblings then Andrew (Priscilla) who turned 5, Hazel (Reece) who turned 5, Sofia (Zoe, held by Macie) who turned 1, and Jaxton (Charles) who also just turned 1. Barrett held his newest addition Timothy, his and Kyleigh's 13th child, and I held Amelia who is Parker and Lana's newborn. Funnily enough, Ruth & Rachael were actually born at the end of the summer, so they missed out on this years' birthday shoot by a few weeks but will be there next year.
It's so heartwarming to see my parents still so in love with each other! They celebrate 37 years married this winter and are such an inspiration to us with how they serve each other in their relationship and work to put each other first. They serve the congregation at Newcrest Baptist while also being active parents and very active grandparents and for that we are very grateful. They have 38 grandchildren that have been born, and who knows whether we'll get a pregnancy accountment soon and have that number change very soon - with our family it's a very strong possibility.
[1] Adalynn & Chloe, Barrett and Allan Jr, Macie & Benjamin, Zoe & Rose [2] Maggie & Violet, Reece & Daisy, Beckett & Marigold, Amira & Olivia [3] Priscilla & Preston, Annette & Jefferson, Charles & Jackson, Parker & Lilliana [4] Ashton & Timothy
Since Barrett and Kyleigh have 13 children, we decided to do a photoshoot with the original 13 kids lined up with his kids. The Lord has blessed Barrett and Kyleigh abundantly with their children, so it was nice getting to take these pictures so we can look back at these one day and marvel at how time has passed!