fun times in Seattle -- August

After camping, we got to head back up to Seattle and spend time with all the family up there. Maria's kids love babies. And other kids. It's so fun to stay with them while visiting Z's clan. Really, every morning Nuala and Bran would just get up and play and someone would feed them and it was all good. And there was always somebody or -bodies lined up to hold Maeve for us! Heaven :) She loved it. Look at her with Hunter. Sure, it looks like she's holding him hostage, but really, she's just captured his heart. Haaa! Oh, the cheese. I'm wallowing in it. But, seriously, cute pics, huh?

Lots of fun outfits to dress up in. Bran is really owning the red sequin look. This is sooo the picture to blow up huge at his wedding.
How we found McKenna after leaving her in charge one night when all the adults when to a movie. She's great! Gracie and Maeve look comfy. Kenna looks slightly tired...

Nuala and Bran with Emma and Mia. They had a blast with their cousins!

Z and the guys, embarking on the "man hike". While they were gone, the girls went out for Thai food, played a lot, and watched a couple of the Jaws movies. I'm sure the guys had fun, too...

Maria and her newest addition, Chad. This creepy lil' guy... er, cute! I mean "cute"... was her "family's" baby on their Stake Youth Trek. That's where the church youth groups from several wards (congregations) dress like pioneers and pull handcarts for 3 days, with lots of devotionals and fun stuff and spiritual moments. It's tough and amazing and sounds like such an awesome experience. Eldon and Maria got to be the Ma and Pa for a group of kids, and each family had a baby to take care of. One family totally lost theirs. Poor babe. Anyway, Chad is now quite the popular fella, and has his own facebook page and goes lots of places with various "family" members. Here he was at the beach.

Nuala went, too. She's not happy in this picture. Is that obvious? I think she cut her toe, but don't worry, she and the toe survived, poor girlie.

Lilly

Zac

Rylee, digging a hole.

Nuala wearing a crown Auntie Heidi made.

Maeve

Maeve... with a crown.

Mia and Nuala. Maria whips up these flower headbands in about 2 seconds to match a dress, or a shirt, or whatever. Nuala loved them. She brought home several, and still wears them a lot. Usually when they don't match at all, but I love that look on little kids, so I'm all for it!

Poppie and Grandma Buttons have loads of animals. Of course all the kids love going out there! I mean, they'd love it anyway, but the animals and stuff are a big bonus ;) Here they are helping Poppie feed the chickens.

Maeve petting one of the rabbits.

And Tic Tac, one of Heidi's horses.

Gettin' a ride from Poppie.

Helping with the pigs, Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Moe. Their predecessors taste quite yummy, and I'm sure these cute lil' guys will, too... (sinister music here)

Another ride with Poppie, this time on the bulldozer! Cool!

Heidi keeps her horses out at Z's parents place, and always lets the grandkids ride 'em. Here's Bran after he got enough experience to ride all by himself for a little bit. It was cute hearing him cluck at Sara (the horse). She was great with the kids. Heidi has several horses and ponies and miniature ponies, and the kids all loved riding them.

Nuala on Sara. She LOVED riding. Very serious business.

Annie and Preston, going for a drive.

Horsewoman Heidi, with N and B and Sara.

Uncle Randy and Maeve.

Mathias and Bran hanging out in the middle of the horse ring.

Grandma with her arms full. Fences are great chew toys.

We also got to ride the quads...4-wheelers...whatever you want to call 'em... for quite a while. Of course, Nuala and Bran (and Z and I) loved that, too. Bran and I were helping Indiana Jones catch Nazis and were constantly being chased by them while he shot out their tires. It was great.

Oh, we had fun! It's so great spending time with the fam. I wish we could do it more often, but I'm glad we get a good visit at least once a year with them. I have such fun in-laws! (No, no one made me say that... ;) We love y'all!