Reunion in Oregon, part 1

After living abroad for close to a year, and returning to California for a month and a half immediately following our adventure, we figured it was probably about time to make a trip up to Oregon to see our family. ;)  In all seriousness, a reunion with each of our family members was highly overdue and we were blessed to be able to spend some vacation time with them.   We had a late flight on July 3, so the real fun began on the 4th.  This seemed so fitting and comforting to me, to be back in my home country, celebrating our freedom while reuniting with family all at the same time.  [insert heartfelt music here]

We were welcomed with delightfully warm and sunny weather for the duration of our trip, and many of our days were filled with water play of some kind.

As soon as breakfast was over, Uncle Seth wasted no time filling up water balloons.

Geoffrey was into them.

I mean, he was way into them!

My soul-sister, April, who just so happens to be my sister-in-law.  So blessed.

Like I said, much of our vacation was spent with water play in some form or another.  Grandpa Dale just had the need to get wet, in full clothes.  Don't ask why.  Ask, why not?

Coming down is the best part!

I was finally able to meet the newest Himes' family member, my niece, Leilani (Brant met her on his brief trip to the states last February).  She stole my heart immediately.

It was noticed that several of us were wearing patriotic colors, this being the 4th of July and all.

Happy to be home!

We couldn't get by for long without some extra goofiness settling in.

We had a wonderful day, filled with laughter, catching-up conversation, outdoor games, water fights, bbq and togetherness.  Brant's cousin, Gavin, made a surprise appearance that afternoon, as he was in town for a visit from Hawaii.  We haven't seen him for many years, so this was a treat.

Grandpa Doug, Gavin, and Uncle Steve, enjoying the food.

Real-live baby doll.  So adorable!

Back-yard-o-fun!

Justin, Zoie and Amber

This kid was told to sit down before going down the slide, many times...but somehow, he always managed to sneak one of these moves in.  :)

Brant and Gavin - both doctoral students.  They had plenty to talk about together. 

Dusk settled in, after what seemed like forever, and we began to slowly bring out the sparklers, as a prelude to the firework show.  This was Maddie's and Geoffrey's very first experience with sparklers.  Brant was a bit on the edge of his seat, seeing Geoffrey wave around a fiery stick in the air.  I, on the other hand, must have been too relaxed to care...especially when the next morning I discovered a quarter-sized hole in Maddie's nightgown, and had failed to see any potential problems that night.  Oops.

See?  They're fine.

Love.

After the sparklers were dwindling down, Justin began to light a few small, but noisy, ground fireworks.  Geoffrey perked up, quietly and quickly walked inside, and returned with these.

We always knew he was a problem solver!

Cousins, lined up and ready for the show!  (Geoffrey kept his headphones on for at least 15 minutes.  He was happy.)

Grandma and Grandpa, with Leilani, on her first 4th of July - she's in her pajamas and about to go to bed, but it still counts!

Himes' cousin love.  Geoffrey has to make sure Maddie is cool with this, so he can be cool with it.  Just checkin' in.

Adalie and Maddie

Let's get this party started!  (The headphones have moved off the head, but hands are there to protect, just. in. case.)

We had quite the line-up for our private show!  Thanks again, Justin!

Love this girl.

The three oldest girls sang a song about the US Presidents to kick things off.  My kids?  Well, they just fell in line because they didn't know any better. :) 

Protective daddy.

I don't know what he was worried about!! 

We had a very special, albeit short, weekend with the Himes' crew.  Although there are no pictures of the rest of our time together that weekend, it was memorable and cherished.  The kids and I were able to spend some more time with some of the family later on in our visit.  Stay tuned for a later post on that!