Oregon Part 2

The Barlows like to have something planned every day for their reunion, so we packed in a lot while we were there.  Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of everything, but a brother-in-law made a slideshow of everyone's pictures so we could watch it.

You can watch it here if you are interested.

I think we stayed home on Wednesday and played the Amazing Race and water games.

Cooling off after a long race!  I love this front porch!  It wraps around the whole house!

 

Even Adelyn participated in the water games!

 

Travis got attacked by all the nieces and nephews!  I had a camera so I was safe!

Thursday we headed to the coast.  It is nothing like the east coast!  It was so cold and windy that we had Adelyn in pants and a sweatshirt.  We ended up moving to a different beach at the Devil's punchbowl and it was perfect!!  We had a nice little cove to protect us from the wind.  It also provided a cutoff for how far the kids could go so we didn't lose anyone!!  We ate at a cute little chowder shop after and saw some whales as we were looking out to sea!

The edge of the beach!

 

Happy to be back at the beach!!

Friday we spent more time at the farm and did some service projects for Tyler.  His family just moved into their mom's old house and there was a lot that needed to be done.  She gets home from her mission next month so they are trying to get the basement finished for her to have a private living area.  Everything looked great and I was impressed with the progress!  It really is such a beautiful house!  It is the house that Travis' dad and brothers built after their first one burned down.  There are lots of small features that make it unique.

All of the cousins except for Courtney's 4 kiddos.  Such a fun group of kids!  There are 33 total and Shonda is having number 34 soon!

There was also a barndance Friday night with a live caller.  Lots of the Barlow childhood friends came to say hi.  I had a TERRIBLE migraine that night so I went to bed early and missed it, especially knowing that we had to catch the shuttle at 1am the next morning.

Despite waking up so early, Adelyn was AMAZING on the flights home!  I was so happy/relieved!

It was an awesome trip and we had a blast seeing all the Barlows!  I wish we all lived a little closer so that we could see each other more than once every 2 years!

Oregon

Life is crazy, but I don't see it slowing down anytime soon so I need to stop putting this off.  After being home for less than a week, we left for Oregon.  That week was full of unpacking, cleaning, laundry and packing again. 

I was super nervous for our flight since sitting quiet in church for an hour is difficult for Adelyn.  We would be on the plan for 6 hours!  I planned, prepared and packed lots of toys and treats to keep her occupied.  The first flight out was amazing.  We sat in the bulkhead area so Adelyn had tons of room to sit on the floor and play.  Plus it was loud in the back so I didn't have to worry about keeping her silent.  I had high hopes for our second flight but by the time we caught our connection it was 3 hours past her naptime and she was cranky!  It was not our best flight!  I was glad to finally land in Oregon!

Oregon really is such a beautiful place!  Travis grew up in the perfect location...beautiful house, big barn and lots of land.  Everything felt so cozy and antique.

This was after church and she was supposed to be sleeping.  I came in the room to find her like this and just had to take a picture!  I just think she is the cutest thing!

I tried to get some pictures of Travis and Adelyn by the barn but she was not cooperating!  There was too much to see and get into to bother with pictures! I love her face in this photo!

 Exploring in the barn!

 On Monday, the reunion fun began!  We drove and hiked Silver Creek Falls.  Something I miss about the west is all the mountains and landscape.  This was the perfect hike for the whole family!

 On Tuesday we headed over to the Enchanted Forest.  It was a cute little amusement park geared towards small children.  Adelyn could only go on a couple rides, but begged to go on them all.  It will be perfect in a few years when she can go on everything.  She loved this train and wanted to go on it again and again!

  

 

 She also loved going down this slide with Travis!

 She was so happy!

I will finish our Oregon trip in the next couple days.  I need to get to bed now. I am working full time until they hire a new teacher so I need to get my sleep!

Emerald Isle Part 3: Family Pictures

I am the only person in my family that enjoys taking pictures or having them taken.  Everyone else avoids picture opportunities at all cost!  You have to know that in order to know how special this picture is!  We haven't taken a group picture in at least 10 years.  I don't remember this, but Grandad used to always make everyone get together for a group picture on the day we were leaving.  He always said, "look what we started."  I know he would be proud to see all of his great-grandchildren today!  He was never able to meet any of them.

All of the first cousins except Will (in Hong Kong) and Andrew (in Panama).

 

The next generation!

 

Adelyn with her first cousins!

 Adelyn with Pop!

The girls!  I included some funny pictures to show you what it is like taking pictures with the little rascal these days!  She didn't want to ever hold still!

Adelyn with her daddy!

  

  

 

The Run Away Baby!

 

  

Thanks for taking our pictures Nathan!

 This is one of my favorites but the little booger is picking her nose!!

 And to leave you on a funny note...have you ever seen the picture of the chubby baby running away from a herd of elephants?  That's what this picture reminds me of!!  haha!  I need to figure out how to super impose her into a different picture!

Emerald Isle Part 2: Cousins

Adelyn had constant entertainment the entire week.  Whether it was watching the big kids play or playing with them.  All the cousins were good about being patient with her and letting her be involved with what they were doing!

 

I loved this!  Thomas was so sweet to her!  She adores big kids!

Adelyn and Frank, just a couple weeks apart in age.

 

Michael

 Tyler

 

Brooklyn

 Brooklyn

Logan

Tyler

Sam

 Jerry

 Owen

I think I got pictures of all the cousins except for baby Quinn.  I really have the greatest family and I hope Adelyn has as good of a relationship with her cousins as I did growing up!  It was so great seeing everyone!