Ringing in 2016!

My life has already taken me to so many places, where I've met new people and developed incredible relationships.  Oregon is no exception.  Although it can be way too long between visits, one thing I insist on making time for is at least one visit with some of my very best friends.  Two of us went to high school together, three of us went to college together, and one of them is my big sister.  To spend time with each of them is to breathe in new, fresh life, and I always leave longing for more time, but grateful for the amazing ability we have to pick up right where we left off.  I love these women to my core, and it was such a treat to foster our relationships during our visit up north.

Lori, Sarah and me, enjoying coffee after a delicious breakfast out.  I love living life with you girls, even from a great distance!  

I accidentally ran into this beauty during a family outing -- although we didn't sit and chat for long, it was a treat to also get to see each other's kids and husbands for a brief moment. 

No caption will accurately depict what this woman means to me.  Sarah is my big sister, and although she denied it in our tween/teen years, she's always been my role model and my best friend!

After a day filled with delightful visits with my friends, our two families gathered together for a low-key and enjoyable evening of ringing in 2016 and closing off our wonderful trip.  

Kids pose for pictures, whether they have food in their mouth, or not!  No shame!

A hot-spot for the kids was up in the attic space, to control the electrical trains, build Lego's and check out Daddy's model wooden plane he built when he was younger!

Guess who loved being in control of the trains?! 

Sharing and passing on the love of his "secret room."

Good gracious, how I love this little person.

Buzzing our lips and flying around like an airplane.

Smooshie love!

Happy Hemphills!

Daddy's girl.

We played several rounds of Catch Phrase, while the kids were watching a movie, which always proves to be a loud, exciting game!

This is when it started getting a bit late, but no one was ready to call it and say goodbye.  My face?  Well, when your husband randomly throws in a photo-bomb in the form of coffee beans... 

Lots of love, and love of taking selfies!

There's most of the crew!  Dale and Martha had to step out for awhile, but we were sure to get them in for a few more rounds before the party ended!  

And although it is nearly the month of April, Happy New Year to all --- 2016 is already shaping up to be amazing, and it is definitely in part to the roots of our deep and rich heritage and love we share with our family.  Thanks for a memorable Christmas break, Oregon!!