Equinox X: Humdinger September 24-26

This past weekend marked the tenth annual celebration of Equinox. This year's gathering was appropriately named HUMDINGER as it really is amazing that a group of people have been coming together for the last ten years to celebrate life, love, family, music, and being together! For some folks this was the tenth time they have come to this wonderful event. For others it was their first time celebrating the Equinox. Many others have been coming for the last 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 years. It is truly special to gather with old and new friends and family members each autumn.

This year the Pennsylvania-based band Cabinet played three sets of music beginning at 4:00 pm (and there was also a special Pappy/JP set while the rest of the band broke down later in the night). They were excellent! Things got started on Friday evening and wrapped up on Sunday afternoon, with the main event occuring on Saturday.

Trafton did very well with his first camping experience. He was a great baby through the (very overstimulating) weekend and slept most of the way through the night on Saturday. He awoke at 4:00 am with a little cry of hunger and I snuggled him in my sleeping bag with me. That feeding/snuggling session in the dark 40+degree chill up on the farm's hillside might be one of my life's most favorite moments.

As I have grown accustomed to feeling on the Post-quinox, I was filled with a bittersweetness when the event grew to a close on Sunday and everyone was saying their goodbyes. My heart gets filled with so much love at seeing everyone (some people who I only really get to see once or twice a year anymore) and there is so much great energy building toward this event, that when it's over, I think many people may feel just a little lonely. But, alas, it was a remarkable weekend, maybe the best Equinox to date.

We were blessed with a beautiful autumn weekend at the farm.

Trafton and Cristl (my best friend since we were seven years old!)

Trafton and I tailgating in the camping area on top of the hill.

Tara and Kenny with Trafton

What a beautiful blue sky as things get underway on Saturday!

The bar that the guys finished constructing on Saturday morning.

Jonathan and Andrew won this year's horseshoe tournament.

Al's famous sausage and pepper sandwiches are an Equinox favorite!

Daniel on stage with the band as they get set up. Trafton's onesie says "Really, I'm with the band." How fitting.

Joseph, Rich, and Jake relax in Jay's super-cool orange truck with hydraulics.

Joseph dancing with Mama Kristin.

Jessica and I with a napping Trafton under our sunshade.

Jessica's mom, Patty, with Trafton. He is wearing his earmuffs so we could get close to the band without damaging his hearing.

Scott and Daniel

Cristl, Jenny, and Cristl's beau, Chris, resting under Trafton's homebase sunshade (it may never stop amazing me how much 'stuff' babies need to stay happy throughout a weekend!)

Chillin' under our sunshade

Cristl and I with a sleeping Trafton.

Cabinet rocking out! Dylan is on the electric bass - how great!

I am dancing into the night with Trafton (who is sleeping and hopefully cannot hear a thing).

Cristl and Chris with their dog, Winter Irie.

Mandi and Mike with their little nine month old, Matthew, who camped near us in the family camping area. Their tent had multiple rooms and a screened-in porch. I was a little jealous.

Katie and Jim

Brandon and Jessica and Pappy's dog, Gypsy

Joe (the Reverend) giving the annual Equinox sangria toast. He did wonderful job, just like he did when he married us!

Everyone with sangria cups in hand, listening intently.

Sunday morning outside our tent. You can see the Pack-N-Play set up inside.

Bundled and warm Trafton

In the morning, he actually slept in until a little after 8:00 when I decided to wake him.

It was a chilly morning. Trafton had on 2 pairs of pajamas and this fleece wearable blanket.

Trafton and Daddy in the morning

Trafton with Uncle Jason

Trafton with Jessica on Sunday morning

Trafton took his Sunday morning nap on Mandi

and his Sunday afternoon nap in the barn.