Fourth of July Reunion

July 4th Todd's family came in from Utah, New York and locally to have a BBQ and fireworks at our home.

After family left, we enjoyed sitting out on the front porch rockers and watching the many fireworks lighting off from across the wetlands.  It was a spectacular sight.  We felt like we were in a Norman Rockwell Painting.  It was a great way to end a holiday with family.  Peace and tranquility.

Monday we headed down to Rockaway Beach where Beverly rented a huge house for us all.  Each family had thier own room, and there were plenty of beds and bathrooms for all of us to have plenty of space.  The cousins had so much fun reconnecting....Playing in the sand, going to Tillamook Icecream, having campfires and playing games.

Brody would play so hard with his cousins that he would crash the moment we loaded in the car to go anywhere.

Little boy cousins...where are Griff and Jaden?  Too cool I suppose.

Girl cousins and games.  Kennedy ruled at Stick Pull.  I'm going to have to work on getting Jaden....although since he is a male I'm sure he'll whip me even worse next year.

Mikelle and Kayla loved playing with their big cousin Kennedy.  They let me play "princess hair" with them, which is always fun for me.  Why is it girls only cry when their own mom does their hair?

We spent at day at Cannon Beach doing a scavenger hunt through town, having a picnic at Ecola Park and playing in the ocean.  It got WARM that day and the ocean felt great!  I can't get enough of the flowers there.  One day I want these hanging off my porch.  They are huge, all over Cannon Beach.

Now that the trip is over the kids are VERY sad to not be able to see their cousins again for a long time.  Fun memories for everyone.  The most touching memory is the fireside we had together talking about Grandpa Steve.  Beverly gave each family this picture of him, where jokingly we say he looks like part of the Mafia :>  and a booklet of memories from fellow High Preists who were close to him in the ward telling of his character and ways he had touched and served them. 
It was good to be together as a family and let the bonds and love grow in his honor and memory.  He was very missed and is very loved by all his children and family.