Family Weekend

Friday afternoon, November 2, we loaded the van and made the drive south to see Matt's side of the family for the weekend. The last time we were there was this spring, I think.

 

We stopped for dinner at the Rush Road exit, which has become a tradition. It seems that exit comes at just the right point in our journey to and from Oregon. The extra added bonus is that the Burger King there has an indoor play structure which is just perfect for helping get out the wiggles of our wee travelers.

 

We arrived at Mike and sister Shawn's home at 7:30 p.m. The boys had a great time playing with cousin Alex and Joshua's Legos, cars, and Cars/Cars2 toys. Matt and I visited for a bit, then left with Amy to head to Mom and Dad's for the night. Yes, the boys did a sleepover with their cousins and had a GREAT time. They went to bed late Friday night and woke up right on schedule (6:15 a.m.!), so Shawn had her hands full. :) They ate their cereal and played on the Wii for a while that morning, too. They arrived at Mom and Dad's around 10:30 or 11:00.

Alex, Matt, Shawn, and Amy looking at photos on the computer.

PopPop holding happy 2-1/2 month old Amy.

Nana getting some hold time with Amy.

Mom (and Dad) fixed a terrific pulled pork, mashed potatoes, green beans, and salad for our Saturday family lunch/dinner. Everything was so delish, as usual.

We all played, napped, and chatted - living life together all afternoon. It was wonderful. Mom had fixed a layered taco dip and Shawn brought veggies and hummus - so that is what we snacked on for dinner (after a big meal at lunch, dinner was just the perfect thing).

The Griffiths headed home and we enjoyed a lazy evening together (and turned our clocks back one hour since it was Daylight Savings).

Sunday morning we packed up and attended Mom and Dad's church's first service. Above is Amy in her church outfit. (Love this photo!) Following the church service we ate brunch/lunch at nearby Panera Bread and got on the road. We stopped in Kelso and visited long time family friends of my family growing up which included yummy homemade pumpkin cookies for us by our host and a good nursing session for Amy.

Thanks for the photos, Dad! (I didn't even pull out my camera - shame, shame.) This post would not have been near as interesting had he not forwarded me these in documentation of our good time together.

We had a wonderful time and we're looking forward to coming again to celebrate Christmas together!