The Ghost

The Ghost of Auntie Mel . . . .

UNCLES

I've decided uncles are a unique breed of playfulness and fun. It's wonderful to have them around for playtime.

Scottie playing with Trent's expandable ball. Perhaps he needs one of his own for Christmas?

Bud playing with all the kids on the tramp and chasing them around with Trent.

Caught- by BUD!

Look no hands- that's some photographer! Special thanks to Uncle Roland who helped capture lots of these amazing pictures but was never in a single picture. We definitely need to fix that!

BIRTHDAYS!

The family gatherings continued on Sunday when we gathered for lunch and then celebrated the February birthdays. Josh turned five and wanted a purple cake and Charlie and Connor both turn one this month and were given their own chocolate cake. While the babies napped the big kids (Scott, Bud, Mel, etc) jumped on the trampoline and tried a few of their old tricks. The cousins played and enjoyed jumping and playing chase with their uncles. Mel wowed us with her trampoline flips and Jacque and Kristin tried out a few moves of their own. Unfortunately, I was still fighting a high fever and wasn't jumping that day.

I wish I had pictures of the purple cake, but I didn't get any. The chaos was a little crazy at that point. We sang the birthday song out of tune three times. Charlie and Connor weren't sure what to do with an entire chocolate birthday cake. Josh had plenty of willing helpers to assist him opening his presents and Trent wanted every present Charlie and Connor opened. It was a real party- that's for sure!

Charlie watching the kids play outside on the trampoline. I love the reflection in this picture Greg took.

We attempted to gather the cousins for a picture after all the festivities, but it didn't really coordinate with THEIR plans! Charlie wasn't interested, Tyler wouldn't hold still, Josh wanted strawberries , no one would sit and so on. Here is the best we could get! Back row: Kaylee holding Trent, Ethan, Cameron, Tyler and Roland. Front row: Megan holding Connor, Josh and Charlie.

What a cutie! Babysitting Connor this week was a real treat. He must be one of the happiest babies . . .

More playing

Charlie getting tossed high in the sky by Scottie.

Scottie and Josh's special acrobat over-the-head-flip trick.

Uncle Scottie had a new talent for the spinner we didn't even know about. It requires great strength and a graceful ballerina pose . . .

Look at the curl on that leg- you should've seen the windup in person!

Playdate at the Park

Uncle Bud on the lookout! All of the kids are hiding all over the park hoping he won't (or will) find them and chase them.

Josh- a bit of a dizzy dismount from the spinning thing!

Connor getting loves from Auntie Mel.

Tyler hiding from his wild uncles chasing him!

Park Playdate

Saturday was the Young Family Park Playdate at Pioneer Park. It was a rare day when all of the family could gather and play. The only mission link was Colby. We'll make sure he comes twice next time to make up for his absence! After the playdate, Grammy cooked up a feast for Valentine's day and the cousins decorated cookies together.
Cameron zooming down the slide.

Uncle Scottie and Charlie going down the twirly slide.

Jacque and Connor - who were so happy to have a break from the snow and be in the warm sunshine.

Charlie and Connor's turn on the spinny thing with a little help from Jacque and Melissa.

Small Wonders

Kids never cease to amaze me. Here we are at Disneyland with all its glitz and glow and Trent has found the smallest little trickle of water spurting out from a pipe- his own little dream come true. He is sucking and licking and drinking from his personal water fountain and truly lovin' it. Who needs rollercoasters?

WEEE !

Here come Scottie and Josh, wearing a red hat, which it looks like Scottie has a pretty good clamp on so it doesn't blow away!

AAHHHHH!

The Toontown rollercoaster with Heidi, Cameron, Ethan, Kaylee, Tyler and Megan in the first three cars!

DISNEYLAND!

This past week was a mini-reunion for our family. Our week started with a visit to Disneyland where Scott, Kristin, Heidi, and kids met us for the day. The weather cooperated and cleared for us and the lines were fairly short. Our biggest challenge was getting everyone well. Kristin, Josh, Meggie, Kaylee, and then myself all came down with different bugs. Despite that we powered through and had a magical day. The Pirates of the Caribbean worked its magic and lulled both Trent and Charlie to sleep! The cousins reacquainted quickly and enjoyed sharing snacks, strollers, tips and the magic of Disney. Tyler and Josh could be found wrestling just about anywhere. Cameron became Tyler's buddy and announced he was going on every ride that "this big kid" was going on. Ethan charmed us with his loves and his cute cheeks- which was all you could see under his baseball cap. Charlie and Trent tried to break free and explore at every opportunity. Kaylee and Megan adored their aunties and are hoping for some girl cousins to play with! Greg, Kaylee, Scott, Kristin, and Heidi braved Splash Mountain even in the colder evening weather and didn't get soaked- darn! My favorites are the Matterhorn, Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain. The faster, the more loops, the better.

The next day we enjoyed California Adventure and its rides. I think I am starting to favor California Adventure over Disneyland. I LOVE California Screamin', Soaring over California, and Muholland Madness, and the Toy Story ride. The kids fell in love with the rope bridges and zip lines in the Redwood parks. Someday, I hope to stay at the Grand California Hotel with just Greggie and I and play at the park, just the two of us (hint hint).