Family of a Thousand Pictures

Now that fall has settled on the Northwest and I've cozied up in our house more, I thought I could catch up on the blog. We loved our summer and took advantage of every last sunny day. My family came out to Portland in August during the two weeks a year you are filled with gratitude you have air conditioning. It was hot.

Man Time consisted of going deep sea fishing. Not sure just how deep it was....

But the fish weren't biting.  Apparently they literally caught just 2 anchovies the whole 4 hours.   If you look re-e-al close you can see the little thing.  That seems par for the course for Jackson Man Time.  They've always seemed to just have that kind of luck.

Luckily they all like each other so it was worth it.

We also went berry picking for late season raspberries.  Again SO HOT we didn't stay out too long.

Cutie Katherine.

We played at the Lake Oswego Beach where the older kids swam and the younger kids wrestled.

Reminds me of all the years when we would wrestle with my dad, play Blinds Man Bluff with the Big Bird hat on his head, and our hours of gymnastics flips.  Good times.

Lots of relaxing.

One day we headed out to the coast.  Notice the Northwest Beach in A.u.g.u.s.t.  Foggy and cold.

But as always, the kids braved the cold, cloudy weather while I stayed bundled up in my coat and blanket snuggling Baby Genevieve to keep me warm.


Until my mom took her out and she too LOVED the cold water.

The kids spent hours out there with hundreds of brown pelicans.

Sweet family from Arizona. Amanda, Geoff, Katherine & Genevieve.

 

 

 

Angelic face of Paxton.  Don't be fooled.  :)  He is quite the daredevil.

Here's the baby who turns me into a cannibal.  Who wouldn't want to nibble on those cherub cheeks?!

Genevieve is the perfect mix of Amanda & Geoff.

Kissy, kissy that sweet face!

We chose The Hottest Day of the Year to go boating.  108 degrees.  It was fine if you were wet and in the water, but if not, it was brutal.

Jonah loved the water!  And loved riding the inner tube with his daddy. Did I get in the water, you ask?  Ha.  Even in 108 degree weather the water was still too cold for me.  I know. It's a sickness.

Doesn't he look so different with no hair?!

Katherine was a speed demon and loved to go fast.


My most favorite part of the vacation was when we were going to drop all the kids off while the adults drove the boat downtown to a restaurant for dinner on the water. BUT, the boat got broke and our plans got canned.


Our last night together we took the MAX downtown for dinner.

We found a yummy place to eat and a fun square that put on some random swing dance concert.

First thing said when we got there. "Sarah. Do not get in that water."

Not five minutes later.  She had a absolute blast.

 

 

 Great times. Great times.  We all get together for Thanksgiving in Prescott this year and hopefully we will not have a Punkin Chunkin' repeat.   Either way, it will all be well documented as always.

Mini family reunion

I say mini because we were still missing Chan & Renae's kids.  It wasn't the same without them, but we made the best of it.  Banta's Greatest Hits were retold, Tic Tacs on a Desert Island were discussed and the reliving of teenage shenanigans unfolded.

Great times were had by all.

Lucas serenaded the engaged couple with his smooth tones on the trombone.

Not to be outdone, Ethan and Sean worked the piano to the best of their ability.  "You play the pedals while I play the keys!" 

Wild children ran everywhere.

 

What a cute couple.

Caroline is loved by all kids.  She definitely is an Appreciator.

On Saturday morning, the girls asked Renae and I to help with their hair.  Can we say just a little out of practice?!  At least on my part.  Renae french-braided while I flat ironed.

We really couldn't hurt anything.  These girls are beautiful.

The Mulhollands have been dear and supportive friends to Brant through the years and I know how much he appreciates them and the late night movies.

Most of Caroline's family were able to come.  Here's Sarah giving a few last minute touches.

Mom unsuccessfully pinning on the boutonniere.  (It fell off twice. :)  Love you Mom!!

All the sisters both Stevens and Williams.

Kids got a little restless after 100 pictures.

I've always loved that little freckle on the end of his nose.

But very surprisingly, both little boys got sad when they got kicked out of photos.

After the ceremony and taking pictures in every possible permutation, we all retired to a nearby hotel for dinner and dancing.  It was a small, intimate affair with lots of dancing kids and fun family.

 

 

But by the end, I think the kids had had enough.  Phones were brought out to keep the peace.



Brant & Caroline are off in Hawaii now and get home on Saturday.

Wonderful weekend and wonderful family.