Family Time

We love our family time. It is always great to look forward to some fun time together, but it is a lot of work. One night in Vancouver, WA, how hard could it be? Well, since I was to speak in church on Sunday I was starting out a little stressed out. I know I shouldn't be so worried, but I always am. It is over now and I feel much better.

We gave up cable last summer so the kids were glued to the television as soon as we arrived to our hotel. Is that the reason, or would they be glued anyway? I don't know. We all stayed up until after 11 to watch The Incredibles on Disney.

We were all starving when we got there so Marshall went to Red Robin and got takeout for us while the kids went swimming. We ate burgers and fries by the pool, what could be better? Marshall swam with them Friday night and I swam with them on Saturday morning.

The reason for the visit was a funeral...a happy funeral. Chalmer Pond, was Marshall's great-uncle and was ready to leave this body behind and his wife knows she will be with him again. The opening song was, "There is Sunshine In My Soul Today." That set the tone for the memorial. The kids told funny stories about thier dad. He was a fun man with a great sense of humor. I loved this picture of Marshall and Emily leaving the funeral.

Lakebay, WA

Marshall works with seven other people who are in their first year of residency at TG. We all met up for a retreat this weekend in Lakebay, WA. We were supposed to go up to the Cle Elum, WA to play in the snow, but the weather had been too extreme so the owner of the house we were to rent cancelled on us since her driveway was a sheet of ice. We quickly found this great house just passed Gig Harbor. My family stayed in the guest house and the rest of the residents and spouses stayed in the main house. It was perfect and the kids had a blast.

As soon as we woke up Saturday morning the kids were begging to go kayaking. After breakfast we got all the gear and headed out.

Hannah was really nervous. Every time we moved she thought we were all going to fall in. We dropped Hannah and Samantha off at the shore after a quick 15 minutes. Then Marshall and Tyler got their own kayaks and we raced around in three kayaks. We had a good, fun workout.

The kids swam in the hot tub a couple of different times and loved it. Hannah and Sara made up dances and songs. Emily mostly did jumps into the water and drove the rest of the kids crazy with the splashing.

This morning we saw several seals out on the docks jumping on and off. You can see them in the distance here. The kids loved this porch swing.
We plan to meet up annually with these families, but hope to make it up to the snow next year.

A little girls dream.

We were able to attend a beautiful wedding tonight for my sister-in-law's sister. We have gotten to know the couple, Jen and Steven, for a year or so and are so happy for them. Hannah and Sara got to be the greeters and they loved every minute of it. They stood at the door and directed the guests to the correct side of the room, whether they were with the bride or groom.

The groom is an Army Ranger so you see all the tough guys behind my kids and Walt and Candice. Walt (brother in law) is pretty tough too.

The couple surprised us all with a waltz. I wonder what she had to promise him to get him to take dance lessons before the wedding! It was beautiful.

My Sara has a major crush on the groom. She giggles and stares at him whenever she sees him. It is pretty funny, but sad. He came and asked her to dance so she stepped up on his feet and he danced with her. It was adorable...but he is taken and she is WAY too young!
Sorry that the pictures are so bad. They were cell phone pictures.