Putting the "fun" in dysfunctional

That's what family reunions are all about, right?  We are all a little bit nutty, so perhaps that's why we get along so well :)

I am especially nutty these days, as Steve has been gone so much this summer... so bear with me in how far out these posts are spaced! 

A few weekends ago my folks hosted a big family reunion at their house here in Plain.  First one in TWENTY YEARS, people!  The last time I saw many of these people I was 10.  And it was in California.  And I had a bad perm, braces, and headgear.  (A REAL catch, lemme tell you).  Anyway, the folks that came out to WA were my dad's Chicago cousins, their kids, and their kids.  So that would be my second cousins, and Olaf/Forest's third cousins?  I don't exactly know.  Also in attendance were dad's sister Rhonda (aka Dad in a girl form) and her husband, and two of their kids.  (My cousins).

I think we were all a little apprehensive beforehand.  I mean, after 20 years, you wonder if you will even enjoy seeing these people?  Chicago city folks mixed with WA and CA country bumpkins?   What will we talk about? 

Well all that proved to be a mute point, as we all got along fabulously, and had a great time to boot.  I think I slept a total of 13 hours in THREE nights of sleep.  (Doesn't help that Forest still got up at 5 every morning...)  I mean, I was barely even drinking but the conversation was so lively that staying up until 1am wasn't even hard!  Those Chicagoans...  boy are they witty and quick.  I felt like a sloth just listening to their jokes and quips.  A sloth that constantly wanted to pee her pants from laughing so hard that is :)  We played kickball and volleyball, fliers up, horseshoes, "bags", water balloons, and ate a lot of good food and drank some delicious tasty beverages.  And my little sister led us all in some sweet song and dance moves to the hip-hop blaring off the back porch at midnight (love you Kendra).

Here are some awesome photos to remember the weekend by.  I can't wait to visit Chicago next, and hopefully northern California too!

(Pay no attention to the fact that Olaf and I are the ONLY ones not looking.  Oh, and Erick too I guess)

Family.  Love 'em.
Oh and in case you are wondering, those shirts have little birds on the front.  "My Peeps"
Oh and also if you are wondering, there were 7 children there.  All boys. Where's the girls?
Oh and lastly if you are wondering... that's the truck I learned to drive in.  3 on the tree, baby.

family and friends

I am such a happy kiddo!

It's Monday morning. One week before I return to work. And so I decided that this week I would relax and spend as much time making Olaf smile as possible. I am currently sitting down, paying bills, dowloading pics, and taking care of the office type tasks that seem to pile up while we are busy. Drinking a delicious cup of drip coffee from my favorite mug.... mmm. Life is good. Olaf is asleep in his crib for now, but soon he'll wake up and we'll feed and give him a nice warm bath.

No that's not sweat from my morning workout - it's DROOL!

We had a great morning - Oly woke up happy at 6:00am on the dot. I pulled him into the big bed and we got to snuggle for awhile. After he was done eating we just hung out and snuggled a bit more. He was all smiles and babbles. Somehow he talks, including voice inflection, through his nose it seems. It is hilarious.

It's COLD in the camper in the mornings sometimes! Oly gets all bundled up to go IN and play :)

Last weekend was a WHIRLWIND. We had a Saugen family reunion in Leavenworth on Saturday. It was great to meet a bunch of family that I had only heard about! I met:
Dave and Colleen Saugen, their daughter Kendra and her husband Josh, and their kids Kennedy, Dawson, and Karston. I love those names - so unique! And very well behaved and fun kids too. I also finally met Grandma Kathy! She sure has a lot of energy! I think she enjoyed meeting the newest additions to her 13 great grandchildren. Also I met Linda and Mike Klassen, their son Jonathan and his wife Autumn, and their daughter Natalie. There were lots of kiddos running around, playing, and lots of folks to catch up with. Steve and Theresa arrived a little later with their brood (let's see if I can remember all the names...) - Zachary, Jeremy, Sharaea, Marcus, and Lydia, and their exchange student (shoot I forgot his name!). It is always fun to see their family. I never think I want to have a lot of kids until I hang out with their family, and see how much fun it can be. I will have to wait for brother Dave to post his full family pictures on Picasa so I can steal one to post on here. But below are a few pictures of the fun times :) My parents were able to join us for the festivities, as Barb and Mark were thoughtful to invite them since they live so close. I think they enjoyed it.

Grandma Kathy meets cutie patootie Ingrid for the first time.

SAUGEN men: Josh, David, Zachary, Steve, Marcus, Jeremy, Steve, David, Mark

We also attended the wedding of a good friend, Teranne, Saturday evening. It was wonderful! Beautiful wedding, beautiful location, beautiful bride, good friends and family. I love living here and being able to be a part of this great community!

Teranne's entrance to the ceremony

Sunday morning Steve helped my dad out with a project while I hung out in the sunshine with Mom and Kendra. Jenny and Haakon and the kids stopped by for a cup of coffee on their way home - it was so relaxing and nice! We had fun posing the cousins for pictures :)

Olaf is used to this tomfoolery. Ingrid looks a little unsure...

Oh so cute!