Franklin Family Journey: A Visit from the Harris Family

I first met Karalee Cosper while working in Manitou Springs, CO at Summit Ministries back in 1991. She took me to Tse Bonita, NM when I interviewed to work as a teacher for Hilltop Christian School there. Her grandaddy was born on property his family homesteaded on near Gallup, NM called McGaffey (not sure if McGaffey is the name of the property or the area of NM where the property is) and Karalee's family still lived on and worked the land. They took me in like family and helped me get settled while I lived out west.

In 1994, I sent them a Christmas letter telling about my marriage the year before and that I had had a baby girl. Karalee wrote back and updated me as well. She had good news and bad news. She had also gotten married, she was now Karalee Harris, and had a baby boy, but her mother, who had battled with Leukemia for years had gone home to be with the Lord.

One year (2000 or 2001), Karalee, her husband, John and their three children came to Florida on vacation and stopped by to see us for a few hours. It was a wonderful, although short, visit. They admired Patrick's tile work and when they decided to tile their master bathroom, they invited us out for a working vacation to their home in Albuquerque, NM. Of course, we took them up on the offer. That was the spring of 2002.

Spring 2004, brought the Harris family back to Florida for another vacation and another visit with us. This time they had four children and we had three. They were in the process of moving to Payson, AZ and somehow we lost track of each other for a while after that. We did all of our moving around and I thought we may have lost them forever, but thanks to Facebook, John found us :~) They now have six children and are living in Texas.

Fortunately, we are back here in Florida in time for another Harris family vacation. Well, I have told this long history to explain the pictures I have below. We will travel back in time beginning with our visit this week, then their visit here in 2004 and finally our visit out west. I wish I had done it in proper order, but didn't and I'm not going to upload these pictures again to get them in the proper order. Sorry :~}

This picture is out of sequence, but too good to leave out.

I had uploaded it, but somehow it didn't come through the first time.

Daniel with Andrew, Nathan & Matthew Harris

Karalee, Matthew (behind her), Rachel, and John

visiting and catching up

Apparently, I'm saying something very interesting because all eyes are on me :~)

Daniel & Andrew

The newest addition, 11 month old Makayla
(Please forgive me if I misspelled her name. I'll correct it if you'll let me know.)

Makayla, Karalee & Matthew

Sarah & Emilie

The little girls really hit it off.

John & Patrick

Keeping Makayla occupied .

Cutie pie :~)

"While they're busy talking, I'll make my escape."

"Freedom!!!"

Such is Life :~)

We went out for pizza at Zeno's in Sebring. Great food! We'll be going back again. Although, next time, I'll try to remember that my glasses are hanging around my neck and not squint my eyes to look at the menu.

The garlic rolls were yummy!

Rachel inspecting her garlic roll

The pizzas were DELICIOUS!

Rachel & Sadie

me, Karalee (holding Makayla), Emilie & Sarah

"Was that you?!"

The dads

Last breath of freedom before getting locked back in her car seat.

It was wonderful, as always, seeing the Harris family.

I'm so glad they always include a stop by our house when they're down here.

My only regret is that our visits are too short.

Matthew, Nathan, me, Karalee, Makayla, John

Rachel, Emilie, Sarah, Andrew, Daniel & Sadie

2004

Daniel playing with Matthew & Andrew

Back then we had one of those small above ground pools. So the kids had enjoyed a swim just before these pictures were taken.

Karalee holding Emilie (about 9 months old)

John & Patrick

Sadie & Nathan

Rachel holding baby Emilie

2002

We went to McGaffey, NM for Easter weekend.

Here Karalee is helping Matthew & Nathan decorate their eggs.

Karalee's uncle had built a dude ranch with a restaurant and cabins on the family property. The little girl in this picture with Sadie is Shania. Her mom worked there.