We had some fun visitors this summer...

My cousin, Justin and his wife, Tiffany stopped in for coffee! I haven't seen Justin since August 1996! So we tried to catch up a little. It was fun reminiscing about the growing up years, showing them pics of the last time we were together in WA/OR, embarrassing Justin by showing Tiffany those pics (!), and reviewing "familyism" words like "zeiblich" (crazy). I honestly don't know if that's a word or if it's some made up family word made to sound German. But we all use it!!

Then Julia and Sandy were staying with us the day I got a call from my other cousin's wife, Mari, married to Kent. They were in the state, but coming from a different town than I expected and would be here in about 45 min! I was expecting them later in the afternoon, thinking they had to come over the mountain. So! I was grateful to Sandy for playing playdoh with the kids while Julia and I whipped up some lunch.

Kent and Mari have 3 sweet boys, Caleb, Josiah and Malachi. They recently adopted Anna from Ethiopia. She's a sweetie too! She and Annisia had some fun playing on the Pooh trucks.

The boys enjoyed Jonathan's Iron Man toy.

And the happy family gathered for a great pic...with Annisia!

Annisia turns 3! Happy Birthday, sweet pea!

Then it was Annisia's birthday. We invited Chet and Renee over for a swim in the pool and some ice cream sandwiches(and a big #3 candle). You should have seen the kids sing to Annisia (including Annisia!!)...it was SO cute!


Then we had Michael's family over a few days later. Aunt Marti brought Annisia a Happy Birthday princess crown...she was quite proud of it!


The kids played Tarzan for awhile...


...and then it was time for the cake! Annisia chose the pink elephant cake from the book Mom gave me from the 1950s! It turned out very cute, and my little sweet pea is tickled about it, can't you see?!

Then it was time for presents! Gramma and Papa got her a Dora card that she enjoyed listening to over and over and over..."Feliz cumpleanos, Feliz cumpleanos, Feliz cumpleanos, Feliz cumpleanos" in Dora's silly little voice...Annisia loved it! She got this beautiful fleece jacket from Aunty Ang and Uncle Mike and she promptly put it on. Aunt Marti and Uncle Jon gave her a Dora sprinkler (and some other stuff) and Uncle Bret gave her a hiking backpack with a pair of binoculars, a water canteen, etc. Daddy got her a Melissa and Doug wooden spelling puzzle.

Everyone had a good time eating burgers, grilled corn on the cob, and cake with ice cream, then just enjoying time together.

Joyce, Leilani's mom (and my WA mom!) got this little pinafore looking apron thing for Annisia. She really thought it was pretty and wanted to model it. She was quite proud of being able to show me 3, too!

The morning after the party, Michael took these pics of the kids. Annisia must have been chilly on her way from her room to ours, because she detoured to the laundry room and got a jacket, put it on, then crawled into our bed! Cracked me up! Jonathan, well, he's our sweet little smiling boy...I think I have two of the most beautiful kids in the world!

Happy 50th Anniversary!

Michael's parents celebrated 50 years of marriage in February. We all went to a guest ranch south of town for dinner. It was wonderful! Lillian showed up in the coat Mike bought for her for a wedding gift. It looks like fur, but I think they called it "muton" or mutton. I think it's actually sheep? Anyways, it is lovely and she was/is lovely, and Mike was/is quite the dashing romantic fella! He did things for her all week...roses, breakfast cooked and served by two of the boys on the morning of the anniversary...romantic things, you see!

Look at these two! Aren't they beautiful?!

This is the family photo we had taken in December, along with the photo of just Gramma and Papa, a frame that said "We did..." under their wedding photo and "We still do." under the current photo, wine glasses from the grand girls, a gold cake cutter and server from Mike and Ang by the anniversary cake with a photo of Lillian in high school and Mike in the Marines (a combination of photos they both love), and truffles Kayla made.
Setting up the family photos we had framed for them...there's Heath, Jon, Angila, and Brady.

Kayla and our dear family friend, Jean, (and Angila's MIL), sharing a laugh.

Something funny is going on at that end of the table!

Brady read a letter Mandi and Jami sent to reminisce as they couldn't make it home for the party. Here, Lillian is sharing some story...probably about when the four grand girls were little! There are plenty of those!

Then laughing so hard about it because so many of the things the girls did were so funny!

Annisia enjoying her Shirley Temple (served in a shot glass, of all things!)

Uncle Mike and Jonathan discussing important things, like probably anything about horses or tractors!

Aunt Marti and Jonathan engaged in another discussion...(she's probably telling him to continue obeying his elders so he doesn't get in trouble like the kids she helps in Juvy!)

Then some family pics...This one is my favorite. Michael is tickling Annisia and Jonathan is having a ball, giggling about something!

Daddy and me!

Family time in ND

The last day in ND, remember this is taking the place of our normal trip home for Thanksgiving, we went into the town where 3 of my brothers and 1 sister live. We met Rodney and Wanda and one of their sons, Shaun, for lunch. Here is Shaun with his motorcycle. Looking pretty cool, eh?! It's a beautiful bike, and he really acts the cool part well...(heehee)

Then we went to Janice and Paul's place where we had the pleasure of spending some more time with Alan and Anthony, and later Cassie, Duane and Vicky, Jordan, Dallas, and Aaron, and Uncle Lowell. Jonathan and Annisia enjoyed the play time. Annisia really took to Aaron and Jonathan enjoys anyone who will let him be a boy, beating up on them, jumping around, you get the picture.

It was fun to see Cassie. Her mom dropped her off for a few hours. She is such a beautiful girl.

The kids, Jonathan, Annisia, Anthony, Cassie

This was taken a few days after we got home. Kayla came over to make us dinner. What a treat!