Visiting Family

Yesterday I took the day off to go visit my cousin Becky Hanson Malarski and her kids, along with Grandma, Grandpa Hanson, and my mom. It was really fun to see Becky again, I have not seen her for at least 7 years. Her and I were always very close and we are still very comfortable with one another, which is nice and very enjoyable. I always loved how outgoing and energetic Becky was, she definitely brings out the best in me :) Grandma and Grandpa had not seen her and her kids since about 7 years ago also, so it is really nice they got to visit with them. I wish I could spend more time with them, but am thrilled I took the day off to spend the time I got to with them! Her kids have grown oh so much, as mine have, and she got to meet Brandon and Brianna....and Bill :) It's strange to imagine 1/2 of my family have not met Bill, let a lone Brandon and Bri.....times are definitely different, people don't get together as often, and family reunions are almost a thing of the past. I hope to re-invent the wheel a little as far as that goes, I would hate for my younger kids to not enjoy cousins, uncles, aunt, family as I was so lucky to be able to do. My older kids have been very lucky in that aspect as well.

I will never forget all the Thanksgivings at Grandma and Grandpa's where all the Uncles, Aunts, cousins would gather for a great big Thanksgiving dinner, more than the dinner I remember the comradery I felt with all my cousins I didn't get to see too often, and I remember our little skits and dance routines we would put on for the adults...so fun!!!!

Jordan's Birthday Dinner

Carissa's boyfriend Jordan is home on leave from the Army until he flies out for his 1 year tour in South Korea. We had a family birthday party for him at our place on Saturday night. Carissa baked him his favorite red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. He is a really nice boy, we like him a lot! Carissa REALLY likes him, it's a little scary honestly, my baby girl is definitely growing up!

Hermiston Aquatic Center

Gram, Bill, Brandon, Brianna, Carissa, Cody, Chrishton and I went to the Hermiston Aquatic Center on Saturday, July 11th. We had never been there before and decided to go check it out and have a relaxing day in the sun. It is soooo great for the little kids! The older kids had a couple slides they could go down, a water basketball hoop and deep swimming pool to play in, but I think they spent most the time hanging out with us and the little kids. We especially enjoyed the lazy river! Gram got really sunburned :( but other than that our multiple applications of sunscreen worked well.

Brandon's Soccer Game

We are coaching the red alligators soccer team this year 4 and 5 year olds....it has been interesting... :) Our first game was fun, and we are having a good time. Brandon is enjoying us coaching and playing :)

Grams Birthday Party

Here are a few pictures from Grams birthday party....more to come.

More Multanomah Falls

While going through more pics on my little camera I found these pics at Multanomah Falls and just LOVE them, so I thought I would share :)

Worth A Second Look :)

Steve Dancin' Away!

This shirt with this pose, cracks me up!

Awwww, how sweet, when we uploaded all the pics, this pic was on Michael's camera....first time anyone but Michael had seen it....now that's sweet young love :)

Horseback Riding

We took the kids for the horse back ride this year on the beach for an hour. Bill, Gram, Cody, and Michael opted out, but it was a beautiful 1 hr ride for us and Brayden, Brandon, Brianna, and Preston had a great ride. We saw deer on the trail back in. We will definitely do this again, maybe we can get Bill on a horse next year????

Bri & Daddy

Bri was sooo busy at the beach digging in the sand, and being leery of the water, she had an oops the first night, that we didn't get any pictures of her and Bill together in the surf...hmmmm little stinker was busy, busy, and had a great time.

Brandon & Daddy

Brandon had a wonderful time jumping waves with his daddy the evening of the fourth. He loves getting in the water, jumping waves, and having fun. It wasn't too cold for him....he had a blast!

Long Beach, WA ~ 2009

Gram Hoke

Misc Views, Fireworks, Etc..

The Hoke's plus Katie :)

The Dukes

Hanging Out Around the Campfire ~ 4th of July, 2009

Building a Sandcastle

Happy Birthday To Becky ~ July 3rd, 2009

Playing Horse Shoes & Having a BBQ

Young Adults/Older Kids Night Out

Fun at the Beach

Michael & Becky

Steven & Marion

The party that went to the beach this year included Bill, myself, Carissa, Katie, Cody, Brandon, Brianna, Great Grammy Hoke, Amy, Steve, Brayden, Preston, Steven, Marion, Becky, Michael, Uncle Dennis and Aunt Carol..... WOW! It was really, really fun! I think we were more prepared than ever, had plenty of warm clothes, plenty of firewood, plenty of meals planned and just had an all around great time! We have a few "4th of July" beach night improvements planned for next year, but hey, can life get any better than this??? Good Times, with Good Family Peoples....I only wish our WHOLE family would book a trip on the 4th and join us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cannon Beach

It was a beautiful, but windy day the day we went out to Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock....the kids enjoyed looking at all the sea creatures and shells and loved eating at Moe's. We had a lot of fun, only wish we would have dressed a bit warmer.... :)

Long Beach Sunsets

I never get enough of the sunsets at Long Beach! This year the sunshine cooperated and so did the clouds, or lack there of...it was absolutely beautiful 70 degree temps and beautiful sunshine....more vacation posts to come....

Multanomah Falls - 2009

One of our favorite spots every year is Multonamah Falls. Steve and Amy's boys had never been, and even though Gram went with us last year on our way to the Portland Zoo, she was glad to see the falls again this year. I will never lose my appreciation for how absolutely beautiful the falls are. Cody got out this year and took a few pics, one really good one with Gram...it was fun and well worth the stop!

Bonneville Dam

We stopped at the Bonneville dam on our way to the beach...it was well worth it, we enjoyed watching many, many fish from below and on top of the water, climb the fish ladders. Gram really seemed to enjoy it and you can see how intent the little kids were in watching and seeing the fish.

Swimming with cousins

Brianna strumming the guitar.

Brayden & Brandon swimming.

Bri & Ashley

Brandon swimming away.

Everyone came to our house to celebrate Grams birthday and to get ready for vacation. The cousins had a ball playing together and swimming together, it was a lot of fun!