Reunion in Oregon, part 4

The kids and I were fortunate enough to be able to spend some more time in the Portland area after our Sunriver trip.  This allowed for more play time with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and even great-grandparents.  We are so blessed to have such a large, loving group of family members.

We spent time over at Grandma Marty's and Grandpa Dale's house, which included some more special time with Auntie Amber and Great-grandpa Doug, too.  The kids were so happy to be able to play around the backyard, throwing balls, going down the bounce-house slide, and making play dough creations.

Check out this amazing collection of fun!

Maddie with her Great-Grandpa Doug.

Mr. Cheese, er, I mean Geoffrey and his Great-Grandpa Doug. 

Look at this cute bunch!  I love em all!

During some casual conversation, I was sharing with Amber and Martha about a special Dutch-pancake dinner I was co-hosting the following day for my extended family.  Amber brought up the name and location of a Dutch import store she had driven past, and on a whim, we all decided to hop in the car and take a peek.  Boy, was I so glad we did!  I found all kinds of goodies from my time in the Netherlands, and was able to buy some special additions to my dinner.  Maddie recognized a lot of items, and even broke out a few Dutch words to the owners!  Goed zo, Maddie! :)

Auntie Amber and Grandma Marty bought the kids special wooden shoe slippers!  We had seen these all over the Netherlands, but since we had bought the real-deal, we always turned away from the slippers.  So fun that they were able to each get a pair after all!  

As mentioned above, I co-hosted a Dutch-pancake dinner with my parents, for all of my extended Dutch family.  We all had such a great time, and it was so much fun for me to be able to showcase one of our favorite meals from the Netherlands, and a very traditional Dutch meal.  My Grammy and Pop-pop were able to join us, as well as several of my uncles and aunts, a few cousins, and their kids, too.  It was a nice turnout, and we only wished everyone would have been able to make it!

My Grammy made this outfit as my sister's Halloween costume one year.  It was fun for Maddie to showcase it, with her special new slippers.

He needed his turn in front of the camera, airplane in hand. (*side note - Geoffrey has to be holding a toy of some kind, no matter the texture or size, AT ALL TIMES.  I mean, ALL times.)

Grandpa Pat, wearing his wooden shoes, with his Dutch grandchildren!

Some of the goodies I found at the Dutch import store!

My little Dutch girl, who was growing with excitement to show-off all of these wonderful Dutch things.

Picture of family gathering...not everyone present, by a long shot!  I was terribly disappointed when it was all over, that I never got a picture taken with my Grammy and Pop-pop.  It was so wonderful to see them, especially after all of the support and love they sent me this past year, along with following me so closely on all of our Dutch adventures.

Cousins and second-cousins, having a dance party.  Because, well, why not?

Maddie and Ellie, on a final outing, to the local splash pad.  Like I said in the beginning, it was a very warm weather week in Oregon, and we spent a lot of time playing in water.  Lucky us!

We had, yet again, another marvelous and memorable trip up to Oregon.  Thank you, family one and all, for the time you spent with us, the love you poured out over us, the energy you exerted into us, and the bond you each share with each of us.  We love you and can't wait to see you so very soon!!