B'day & Goldendale detour

Anabelle's birthday

Now that she's one year old, she is ready to play preschool games on her momma's iPhone. Look at that impish smile. She's turning into a real go getter. She and Henry both love playing in the water. She was kicking and kicking and enjoying every moment.

Birthday display

 Cherise displayed Anabelle's newborn picture and her most recent one. The same scale is featured in both of them. Next year she'll probably be standing on it!

Cherise made a yummy cake from scratch. She and Courtney decorated it with fondant and put a #1 on the top.

 Anabelle had a frosting topped muffin as her personal birthday "cake".

Presents and friends

Belle-belle had lots of help opening her presents.  The three kids on the upper left of the photo are 3 of her cousins, the rest are friends from church.  

Grampa, Henry and Anabelle were checking out all of the new toys first thing the next morning. 

Camp out couple

Courtney and Charles had one of the best beds in the house, or should I say outside of the house.  They got to sleep in a tent in the back yard. They said it was great except it got too warm as soon as the sun started hitting it around 6:30 or 7 in the morning. I would have loved to sleep out there hearing the traffic on the highway on the other side of the fence.  Just like being at the ocean ;0)

Waving goodbye

 I just wanted to put her in my bag and take her home with me. She's learning so much every day.  She was waving goodbye to us as we were loading up the van.

Pit stops

We made a couple of stops on our way out of Walla Walla. One to replace a beloved Wii game that had been broken. And the second to pick up icy beverages and treats.

It was a warm one

 I took a picture of the readout in our van as we were climbing the hills above Maryhill on our way up to Goldendale. It was 97 degrees in that part of the Northwest.

 We don't get  to see this beautiful view often enough.  I think it's been two years since we've been to Goldendale. That's not good.

Siblings in spectacles 

It is always so great to spend time with Michael and Naomi. Their place is so wonderfully relaxing. If Harlan had a job that he could do remotely, I bet he'd like to live up the street from these guys.

 Introduction to a bit of Finnish culture

 Charlie had never had a sauna, though I hope he's seen some SISU over the years being a part of this family. 

Naomi heated it up for us and Har and I got to take a sauna first... then it was the kids' turn. 

Charlie thought it was awesome. I think we have a new Finlander in the making.

This sauna project has been a labor of love with it getting finished a bit at a time. There was a tiling work party a few months ago and the walk in shower is done along with the dressing room floor.  It is amazing! Naomi's friend AnnMarie brought some things from Finland for the sauna when she visited. Each little touch adds to the whole experience. 

Wonderful hospitality 

This picture perfect salad was almost too pretty to eat.

We hadn't planned to stay for supper or sauna for that matter but I'm so glad that we did.

One of the main reasons it's so nice to be there is that Michael and Naomi know how to practice Godly hospitality. They are truly happy to see us. We'd know that Jesus lives there, in them, even if you didn't see His name on top the microwave :0)

I had to get a picture of the kids with them before we took off. I hope Courtney and Charlie get up there to visit again soon. Naomi reminded me several times while we were there, that it takes only two hours and two minutes to get there. Indeed it does. 

Thank you so much for letting us stop by and for everything you did to make us feel like we'd come home!

Cutting it close

Pulled into the gas station with only 18 miles til empty.

Made my husband, who is a "fill 'er up when it drops below half tank" kind of guy, a little nervous.

It's good to shake 'em up every once in a while ;0)

We are home and looking forward to all of the kids coming back again.