While Mom was Gone...

The kids spent lots of time with Dad while Jonathan and I were in Washington. There were several visits to McDonalds, I hear.

Elizabeth was at camp for a week. She LOVES camp ~ plans for it all year long.

Trip to "Mom's Home State"

Everytime someone asked Jonathan where he and I were headed, he would tell them, "My mom's home state." And so we were.  Headed to Washington for a family reunion.  His birthday was the day after we left, so the flight attendants gave him a little birthday celebration on the plane complete with a toilet paper cake.

Tonya my sister also had cupcakes for Jonathan's birthday.  The neighbor kids continually hang around her house, so they enjoyed the treats as well.

Jordan was into playdough while were there.  He makes things out of playdogh the way Jonathan makes things out of Legos.

And here is Jonathan making things out of Legos.

Cory, Tonya, I and the boys drove 5 hours from Seattle to Spokane for the family reunion.  Awesome time talking with my siblings on the drive. There was a lot of talking, playing cards, bounce house and other fun stuff for the kids, pictures to peruse, etc. at the reunion.  It had been a long time since we'd had a reunion with so many people able to attend.  I believe 100 was the number of people who came.  Grandma and those who helped did a great job.

Jennifer is a close friend of mine who I met at McDonald's when we worked there as teens. I liked her so much I wanted to keep her in the family, so she married my cousin.  Or maybe she liked us so much she couldn't resist joining the family.  :-)  She's one of the pregnant gals.  My grandma has 7 children, 26 grandchildren, and 18 or so great-grandchildren with three more on the way.  Her offspring's gifting is procreation.

Here's the other pregnant gal, Alicia. She's acting dramatic. Her brother in Virginia couldn't make it because of his baby being on the way.

Tonya is making grasshopper catching jars.

Jonathan and Joshua.

I didn't get a lot of pictures.  A piece on my camera broke right before we left. But the iPad sufficed for a few grainy pics. I was so glad to make the reunion.  I love talking to my cousins and siblings.  I love seeing the different groups going off to swim in the lake or play volleyball or stay up till 5 playing Risk (really, guys?). I love getting to know all those young cousins who are grown up now.  My heart is grateful.