My mom came to town for the weekend for a special family celebration. Two of my cousins’ kids both got married this summer, and they decided to have one big reception together back in their hometown. So my mom made the trip up from Utah to celebrate with everyone.

Of course, while my mom was in town, we had to squeeze in a trip to Thorn Creek.

Greg had gone out earlier in the day and planned to move our wood pile so we could finally start staking out where the cabin and septic system would go.

He ran into some issues and didn’t get out there quite as early as he’d planned, so when I arrived, the wood pile was still sitting exactly where it had been.

I had imagined that I would show up and we’d immediately start laying out the cabin and septic.

Instead, I helped move a giant pile of wood.

The work itself wasn’t particularly difficult, but it was hot.

Really hot.

Usually by that time of day, we’re wrapping up whatever we’re doing and heading somewhere with water to cool off. Instead, I was sweating like crazy and wondering how much longer I could take it.

At one point I had to take a break and sit in my car with the air conditioning running just so I could cool down.

We finally got the wood pile moved, and just in time.

We had about 15 minutes before my mom and I needed to leave for the reception.

So we quickly laid out where the cabin and septic system would go. Greg pounded in a few stakes to mark everything, and then m mom and I jumped in the car and headed home.

We had to get back, shower and get ready for the reception.

After that, we stopped at my brother’s house to spend a little time with him and my adorable niece. Dayltn was at a friend’s bridal shower but made it home just in time to join us for the reception.

Mom and I hadn’t eaten anything all day.

We had simply run out of time.

So when we got to the reception, we made a beeline for the food.

Thankfully, there was plenty of good stuff to choose from, and we filled our plates and finally sat down to eat.

I was also lucky enough to get some baby time.

We fed my niece pickles and fruit, and it was so cute watching her try everything. Every once in a while she’d get a particularly sour bite of pickle and her whole face would scrunch up and she’d shiver.

So cute.

It was a really nice evening getting to see so much of our family and celebrate these two newly married couples together.

Sunday morning my mom headed home, and I was supposed to go back out to Thorn Creek to help Greg.

I wasn’t exactly eager to spend another hot day working outside, so I texted Greg that morning and asked if he still wanted me to come.

I didn’t hear back.

I figured he was probably busy and could use the help, so I loaded up and drove out there anyway.

When I arrived…

He was packing up.

He was completely finished for the weekend.

Apparently, I didn’t need to come out at all.

Dang it.

I really wish he had seen my text.

At least I didn’t make the trip for nothing.

While I was there, I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures—a chipmunk, a flower, a butterfly and a few of us.

And then I realized something.

I hadn’t taken any pictures the day before.

Not one.

Not of m mom and me at the property.

Not of our family at the reception.

Not even a picture of my adorable niece.

Nothing.

How does the person who carries a camera everywhere manage to forget to take pictures on an entire day?

Apparently, I can.

So Sunday’s little collection of photos will have to stand in for the whole weekend.

It was a busy one—hot, sweaty, full of family, a little bit of property progress and one very missed text.

And despite forgetting to document most of it, it was still a pretty great weekend.