Washington vacation - days 2 and 3

 Day two of our fabulous Washington vacation was spent at the lake, swimming, water boarding, tubing, and skiing/wake boarding.  Super fun!!  It was gorgeous weather and not too hot, just perfect for lounging at the lake.

Day three we had a group birthday party for "everyone."

My handsome dad. :)

My sweet Aunt Doris, with her great, great, great niece!

Son G.

Son C.

Daughter G.

Little Man.

Son L.

My beloved.

My beautiful sister Gayle, with her grand daughter!

My niece Rachel, queen of the wake board!

Party games!

Washington vacation - first day

We had the most amazing two weeks in Washington State this summer!!  With young adult children working and going to college, I felt it was a special blessing that every one of them was able to come on this trip.  We began our two weeks with a three day "official" family reunion.  Both my sisters and their families were there!

Daughter G, always arting!

Our first morning in WA we got to meet my sweet little great-niece and great-nephew.  Oh my heart.  All my kids had so much fun with their little cousins!  At almost two and nine months, they were super fun ages to play with!

Me and my sweet mama.

It was super fun to see my sister Gayle as a grandma. :)

Different relatives kept arriving all throughout the day.  It was like Christmas each time someone else arrived!

Me and my sister Gayle.

Day one was so fun, we couldn't wait for day two!

Sweet time with friends!

Little Man got to spend a week with his "brother from another mother," and I got to spend a day and a half this "brother's" parents!  We spent a fun afternoon at a park, playing with their dog,

biking, creek walking,

and fishing in a catch and release pond!

Andrew's friend caught two and Andrew caught this beautiful little fish.

Releasing it was kindof gross, and kindof cool all at the same time.

We are thankful for lifelong friendships!

Thursday's Thankful Things

A delightful time with a friend today.

A BEAUTIFUL day, lots of sunshine, not too hot!

Friends and fun activities for my younger two boys today.

That God is faithful and sufficient, and meets all my needs!

Family Outing

 As the children become young adults, I am finding it more difficult to get us all together for family outings, or even for family dinners.  I am happy to be with whoever is here, but my mama's heart is happiest when all the children are together, and engaging happily with one another.  So it was a delight to spend an evening together this past week!  Daughter G and son L were not able to join us until ice cream at the end of the evening, but it was a joy to be together!

We started the evening with a frisbee competition in the park.

Then we watched "Avengers: Infinity War" at a cheap theater, and then we went out for ice cream!

I know these times are going to become more and more rare, so I soak up every moment that we are together!