Gene Pool

                      Hansen                                  Eloise                                    Ami

Bedtime Stories

KayLynn's Birthday

We got together last Saturday to celebrate the birthday of Grandma KayLynn.  We had lunch at a lovely French restaurant, Lilly's, in Venice.  On a side note, this is the same restaurant we took Rees and KayLynn to a year ago to tell them that we were pregnant, so it holds a very fun memory for all of us.  I regrettably forgot to take my camera to capture the birthday lunch, but here are some shots from later in the day:

Seattle-The Final Chapter

On our last day in Seattle we visited Olympia, where Chanel lives.  Our first stop was the Farmer's Market.  There was delicious food and a live band.  I was so happy that My Mom's cousin Vince (Grandpa Clay's nephew), whom I've never met, could meet us there.

Clay & Vince- isn't there a striking resemblance?!

I'm so sad this picture turned out blurry but I'm posting it anyway!  What a great family reunion!

From left to right: Cindy, Jean, Clay, Monica (Vince's wife), Vince & Rhonda

 

Eloise & Emelia cuddling with Rhonda

After the Farmer's Market, we got to visit Chanel's beautiful, new home.  I'm sad I didn't snap any pictures of that.  Chanel has such a great design aesthetic and I truly enjoyed touring her home.  

From Chanel's house was a race to the airport!  Eloise and I had such a WONDERFUL time with my family.  I miss them already!  And I think that Eloise misses the constant entertainment of being around the other kids-- now she's back to just boring, old mom all day.  Poor girl.  We can't wait for our next family trip -- Oktoberfest?!  

Seattle- Day 4

On day four of the family get-together, we all headed to Newcastle Beach!  It was a surprisingly chilly day, but that didn't take away from the fun at all!  We had a beautiful picnic spot, right by the water.  

Ali & Chanel's kids seemed to be completely unaware it was 60 degrees outside.  They played for hours, in and out of the water. 

In contrast, the California girls were bundled up in multiple layers.

G&G keeping warm in whatever they could find!

Another delicious picnic.

Thomas and Grammy Cindy

I heard that after our car left Buddy, Eden and Ben went in for a swim.  Brrrrrrr!!!!

There was a playground close by.

Another perfect day!

Seattle- Day 3

Point Defiance Park in Tacoma was our destination on Day 3. It is a beautiful spot on the end of a peninsula on Puget Sound.

Ali reserved a spot for our group at Fort Nisqually. We grilled up some hamburgers and hotdogs and had a really relaxing day there. The older kids had fun at a nearby playground and at the Fort Nisqually museum. The moms with babies home-based in the covered area with Grandma and Grandpa. It was wonderful to chat and relax in a beautiful spot.

Eden and Jon rode up in our vehicle and entertained Eloise the whole way!

Dad is pouting because I accidentally left him on the side of the road when we reached the peninsula. He had jumped out to scout out the area, looking for our reserved spot. Meanwhile Ali pulled up to let our car know that the spot was still a mile or so away. All the cars pulled away and I was left with Eden and Eloise. Assuming we'd catch up with him down the road, I gave Eden instructions to keep her eyes open for Buddy. We drove and drove and didn't see him. There came a moment when I realized that we'd probably gone farther than he could have walked in that time and I started hoping that one of the other cars had picked him up. Eden –still vigilant in her search for Buddy– had also become aware of the distance and at that moment exclaimed, "Wow! He really walks fast for an old man!" ...which became my favorite line of the day. Mom and Rhonda saved the day by circling the peninsula again to find the lost traveler. He survived, but may never fully recover. Again, sorry Dad!

Great Grandpa & Eloise at our picnic spot

Chanel the Belle. It was so great to see her and her cute kids again!

Jon and Ben enjoying lunch

Pretties in Pink

I think the BEST part of the day was capturing my Grandma and Grandpa with all of their Great Grand Children. It was difficult to get a picture where everyone was looking up. Here's the best I got:

From Left to Right: Mark Nielsen holding Tessa Bella Nielsen, Adam Gabrielsen, Mia Nielsen (on the table), Grandpa Clay, Eden Allen holding Emelia Allen, Grandma Jeanie holding Eloise Smith, Benjamin, Jonathan, and Thomas Allen

(Not pictured: Carina is expecting a baby boy in December!!)

Four Generations

It was a perfect day!

Seattle-Day 2

On day 2 in Seattle, most of the men left for a 3-day backpacking trip.  The women staying at Ali's place decided to have a girls-day out for lunch and shopping in Issaquah!  

Seattle-Day 1

Eloise and I spent much of this week in Seattle with my side of the family.  Ali and Justin graciously hosted Grandma and Grandpa Putnam and the entire Gabrielsen clan (I'm sure they were happy their house was insured).  Rhonda's family was staying with Chanel and Kevin in Olympia so we were able to get together with them almost every day!  It ended up being a wonderful (albeit unofficial) Putnam Family Reunion.

DAY 1:

When we arrived, Eloise made the rounds around the room.  It was her first time meeting everyone (except Grammy Cindy).  After initial greetings, we had a delicious BBQ, and a night of games organized by Rhonda.

Great Grandma Putnam

Great Grandpa Putnam

 

Meeting Buddy

Aunt Carina & Grammy CJ

Rhonda!!!

A game of "Sammy the Spider," where 'Sammy' was clearly losing. 

Baby Heaven

From Left to Right: Tessa Bella, Emelia Jo, Eloise Lucy

  The games were quite entertaining.  Pictured left is Ali trying to bounce ping pong balls into cups of water to create a "tic-tac-toe."  Right is my mom balancing hostess products on her forehead with ease.  Wow.  What talent abounds in this crew!

The prizes Rhonda came up with were equally as entertaining as the games.  Joseph won this practical hydration apparatus (containing Root Beer, of course).  Other prizes included Richard Simmons autobiography, "Still Hungry After All These Years."  Hilarious.