Travels and updates

We took Lys and Logan to the airport. They are in NZ right now.

We used the stroller temporarily to tootle around the Portland airport.

Rowan doesn't know what is coming. According to his mom he did great on both planes. His passport is pretty cool too.

I'm posting this picture because I think the Portland airport has some really pretty architecture. The greenery that they planted to cascade or climb on the parking structure has taken off and filled in beautifully.

Grampa's little girlfriend.

Wyatt loves saving coins. Cam gave him this piggy bank to keep them in.

The kids always want to go outside to "play chalk". Aunty Reesie is playing too.

One of Wyatt's many looks.

The main reason for today's update is to announce that Danika is now 11 months old. Her photos were taken at a one hour studio and her official picture is framed and ready to hang. Perhaps we can post a picture of all three of their 11 month pictures at a later date. Only one more month and she'll be messing in cake!

Family Reunited

The Ray Hilman family has been getting together for a reunion once every 4 years since 1980. This our 8th time of getting together with the whole family.

There are tons of activities and events over a 4 day period. Opening night ceremonies include officially welcoming all the people that have joined the family through marriage and birth in the past 4 years. It is also a time to remember any that have past away in that time as well. There is always a Skit/talent night, and some sort of themed dinner and a tea party for the ladies. We have been fortunate to have places that swimming has been available or some sort of water fun.

This year was wonderful though our Finnish branch of the family was only partially represented but our thoughts and prayers were with those back in Finland as they and we kept a world wide vigil as our dear sister-in-law Birgitta passed away on Monday.
Birgitta, as we will always remember her. She was one amazing woman!

Here we are (all 17), Harlan's branch of the Ray and Irene Hilman Family Tree.

Cherise and Kiel with Cherise's godparents Mike and Naomi Mata

The R-fam

Courts

The G's supporting one another

Rowie

What is a reunion without bonfires? Ry and Cam with the flames.

Even Rowan enjoyed watching.

Hayden with the soon to be Mr and Mrs K&C.

We love the ladies Tea Party. Krystle and Claire

Cherise and Maila

Joylynn and Heather

The grandkiddos.

Cowboys were a plenty for Centerville Western night.

Naomi and Mike before the Hoe down started.

Wyatt was one tuckered lil Pardner.

Summer Vacation Fun

We had a lovely time at the Ray Hilman Family Reunion. We shared the facility with others that were there for various reasons. I followed one such couple one afternoon.
Chilling on the back forty.

Enjoying the riverfront.

Wetting a line.

Shooting a few baskets.

Taking a time out.

Mixed doubles.

The end of the day relaxing in the garden.

What a Wonderful World

July 14th we celebrated 29 years of marriage.
We've experienced a lot of things together and I am very thankful for all of them. I can't think of anyone else that I'd like to walk through this "wonderful world" with. Our anniversary was very fun. Enjoy the pictures and let the song run through your mind as you do. :)

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
(George Weiss / Bob Thiele)

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world


The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"



I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Little splashes in a very small pool

Joylynn bought a little puddle of a pool for us to have here at the house. Since it was a very warm day we got it out for the little ones.

Wyatt and Genevieve in the frogs mouth!

After a nap Danika got the pool to herself.

Hayden is such a good uncle.

That water straight from the hose is cold once the sun warmed water is gone from its length.

Genevieve enjoyed spraying the boys.

But I have never met anyone that has more fun spraying others as Wyatt. He absolutely beams.

Video post...we have technology again!

Here are a couple of pictures and a couple of videos....just for fun.

There is so much to do up at Alyssa's. Who needs video games and techno-toys.

The R-family got to have some fun at the pool. What a nice thing on a 90 degree day. Wyatt isn't too sure about being in the big pool even with his awesome Power Ranger floaty suit, but the girls are little mermaids.

Red, White and Blue weekend

We took advantage of the July 4th holiday to spend a long weekend up at Alyssa, Logan and Rowan's house. Thank you to all of you that pitched in and covered our responsibilities at church. We appreciate you sooooo much!

Red, white and blue flowers.

Patriot young man.

Only one Old Navy flag shirt but a couple of other cool Americana shirts.

Initiation of the new patio set. Yummy steak and ribs. Thanks to Logan's awesome grill.

All wonderful weekends come to an end. It was a fun one though.