Reunion 2013

 Over the weekend we went to Hubby's parents for a family reunion.  My father-in law's family has a reunion every year on the first weekend in August.  On the way home Hubby and I counted 70 people that came and went over the course of the weekend.  There was family, neighbors, friends and Watershed (concert at the Gorge in George) campers.  

Honestly, there were probably people there that we didn't even know about or see.

It's all good.

 

Sam and Angela came just in time to build a rocket for the launching of the rockets.

 The rockets involve plastic soda pop bottles, cardboard, and duct tape and... water, a compressor and an alfalfa field... and a competitive spirit.

 

At our family reunion we have a soft ice cream machine.  There are toppings, cones, root beer for floats, peach cobbler for under neath and it is changed out between chocolate and vanilla.  The littlest of the family may help themselves.  It does get closed an hour before meals so everyone has an appetite.

 At our family reunion we have a set of 16 year old twins, I didn't get a picture of the big twins.

Kelly and Nate are the little  twins.  

Nate was born and stayed with his Mama right before their Daddy went to China to pick up Kelly.  

They are so sweet together.

 At our family reunion we have a BiG BBQ grill.  On Saturday evening we had grilled chicken, 

ribs and beef tri tip for dinner.  It takes all afternoon.  Hubby's Dad does the grilling with tons of help from Uncle Dave and others.

 At our family reunion we have all ages.  Hubby's Dad is the oldest in his family and Hubby is holding Emmit, who is just six weeks old.  Hubby told Emmit's mama to go ahead and eat while he took care of Emmit.

She could not believe her good fortune but really I think Hubby was the fortunate one.

 At our family reunion there is love and the littles love the BIGS.  I'll share more later about Max's fan club.

 At our family reunion there is a pinata after dinner.  There is a big bouncy house, there is a craft table for the kids, this year there was a playdoh table, there is a pool and swimming in the canal.  

There are tents, trailers, and beds everywhere.

 At our family reunion there is a fat boy breakfast in the morning with teens running the grills.

At our family reunion there is a lot of visiting, catching up with family and there is a whole lot of love and respect for family.  Everyone pitches in with the meals and the activities. 

And behind it all are Hubby's folks, they host every year.

My mom-in law is a saint.

Truly.

I'll Be Smarter on Friday

I have the annie sloan chalk paint out again and am having some fun with a few projects.  I am using three colors of paint and fabric on a project.  Yours truly may pull her hair out on this one.

I'm painting outside, because I can.  Thirty five+ days in a row of sunshine in Washington this summer.  It's not too hot, it's not raining, it's not gray skies, it's perfect.  The sunset was so beautiful last evening and then when I didn't think it could get any better I saw a beautiful sunrise this morning on my way to boot camp.  The pictures are from sunset.

 I have a little fuji point and shoot camera.  When Hubby and the guys gave it to me in 2007 for Mother's Day I had no idea I would use it so much.  It goes everywhere with me.  It's been a faithful companion.  The flash is cracked and the screen is scratched, the buttons are worn down.

On Friday I am getting a smart phone.  Mostly, I am excited about the camera and the photo apps.  And the maps/gps app will be pretty nice too, especially when I'm out junkin'.  I'm not convinced I won't still grab the fuji though.

Friday is the beginning of a twelve day staycation for Hubby and me.  We are just a teensy bit excited to have some time at home, some time together, actually a long stretch of time, to just have a break.  

We have some projects planned and some fun planned.

Enjoy the sunsets and sunrises this summer!

Hiking, Field Trips and a Recipe

This past Friday morning some of the gals from boot camp went up to Bryce Creek to visit and do some hiking.  Bryce Creek is a beautiful spot in the mountains.  Lisa was camping up there and she was the hostess with the mostess, even while camping.

She made us iced lattes without electrical power or an espresso maker.

Her secret was the cold brewed espresso by Cascade Valley Blends.  It's sold at our Cash and Carry.

 While junking on Saturday we made a stop to pick up our own cold brewed espresso.  It turns out that Shelly hadn't been to Cash and Carry before so it turned into a tour by Karen and myself.  We showed her all of our favorites at Cash and Carry, including our new favorite cold brew.

Iced Latte Recipe

 Fill one large glass with ice, add a shot or two of espresso, fill glass with milk(I prefer skim, Hubby 2%) and add 2 T. of your favorite flavor.  Lisa also had chocolate and caramel syrups to add.

 The lattes are a great summertime afternoon pick me up treat.  And an easy peasy camping treat.

Enjoy!

Let's Get Caught Up

I've been a little busy.  Since part of my job at the museum is to manage the volunteers and fourteen of them were either on vacation or sick last week it's been tough.  Thankfully the others really stepped up and helped  me.  So, I did have some time to play on the weekend.

On Saturday I went junkin' with Shelly and Karen.  I went to an estate sale specifically to get a rotating Christmas tree stand which I finally found in a shed instead of with the rest of the Christmas decor.  Yikes!  My heart was pounding, I was getting anxious when finally I found it!  In all her glittered glory she spins and I am so happy with her.

I found a Santa blow mold while searching so I grabbed him.  At our next stop I found the spinning light for under the spinning tree.  Bringing on the disco Christmas this year!  And some vintage goodness thrown in.

 My search for a burlap lamp shade is over, I found the shade and a lamp to Annie Sloan as a bonus.

 After the estate sales we stopped at a craft and antique show where we ran into another classmate, Cindy.  She is a garden art artist and had a very pretty display.

 I met a fellow Aloha owner and had a nice chat with her after a tour of her sweet Aloha.  It's a few years newer than our trailer and in much better shape.  It was inspiring.

 Saturday evening Hubby and I helped our friends, Brian and Holly, at their daughter Ashleigh's wedding.  It was so beautiful, thoughtful and sweet.  I swooned.  The cake?  The groom baked it!  Sweetest cake ever!

 I didn't get any photos of the bride cuz I was busy but I took a few of the decorations.

The Snapsisters were there so watch for some great pics.

Pictured below, Holly and I.

 I am totally taking one for the team here.  Holly looked so pretty and wore such a cute dress and sandals and I look like crap or like I'd been running around in the kitchen, which I had.  But I had to share because Holly looked so pretty.

 Hubby was busy on clean up.  He's a good guy.

Brady and Ashleigh had  THE  best wedding music ever.  

Best Wishes to the happy couple.  And Mama Holly, put your feet up today!

A Trifecta IRL

 Hubby tells me when he talks to all three guys on the phone on the same day that he had a trifecta that day.  For a mere 36 hours we had a trifecta in real life this weekend.

The guys saw friends and family, hung out on the patio, went shooting, hiking, swimming, cliff diving, motorcycle riding and ate.  They enjoyed some good laughs and deep conversations.  

And then ate some more.

Hubby and I were busy cooking and grilling their favorites.  And having our parenting skills analyzed.  Why yes, they are scarred from their childhood.  But really, they all turned out pretty great in spite of their parents.  

So, HAH!  And they still love their mama's cooking.

Patio Summer

We've been on our patio.  Every day, each evening, with family, with friends, with good conversation, some tears and some laughing, with good food and fellowship, we just continue to land on the patio.  It's good.  There have been trips to the mountains, to the bay, to the city but we always land back on the patio.   And the weather has been so summer like that we almost don't recognize life in the Pacific Northwest.

 Tonight we have a field trip planned.  And there are some hikes, beach days and work in between, but mostly we are on the patio.   From morning coffee to gathered around the fire in the evening we are enjoying some wonderful patio time with Danny and family and friends.  It's good.