Cousins

Here are the kids with their grandparents on our last day in Alaska. I was thinking about my dad because we saw his brothers yesterday at my cousin's wedding reception.


Brittany looked lovely in her bridal gown, and her new husband Brad wore a smart-looking kilt. It was a small affair with close family and friends. She looked very happy. We enjoyed catching up with my cousins that we don't see very often. Carrie, Connie, and Michel were there and had we were glad to see our uncles.

Afterward we dropped by Clair's house, and then we went to Michel's so the kids could play with their cousins.

Sightseeing in Seattle

Tuesday morning we got up bright and early, boarded our plane and flew to Washington state. My cousin Jeri and her family live near Seattle and she was very gracious to put us up for the night and play tour guide for us.

We went out for fish and chips for lunch and ate them on a floating pier on the lake. It was a beautiful day; the weather was just perfect.

Here are their cousins: the lovely Riley,
soccer hero Nate,
and the inimitable Lance.

We went downtown to the Seattle Center to check out the sights there. It's this really great park-like area that has the Experience Music Project, the Sonic's old arena, an amusement area, a children's museum, a science center all around the Seattle Space Needle.

The highlight for us was this great fountain. It was tons of fun. We tried to run up and touch it without getting wet. Some of us were more successful than others. I cut it a little too close and ended up with a wet shirt and water up my nose! Miles and Lisette both got completely soaked and Ian got fairly wet, too.The kids had a great time playing with their cousins.

Saffy loved climbing up and down this humpback whale sculpture. While she was playing I heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" being pumped out of the sound system; it was such a perfect moment, right in the center of the city that Nirvana built. Awesome!
Here's the whole gang waiting at the monorail station. The Experience Music Project is in the background.
We got off the monorail and walked a few blocks to the famous Pike Place Market with fish tossing and everything.

We had a great time at the market, even though the kids got tired of walking after a while.
We went back to their house after the market and had a little rest. The kids all bonded by playing with toys and watching a movie. They fed us a delicious dinner of ceasar salad and boiled crab. Yum! We got to hang out with Jeri and her husband Shawn, who we're both great. We had a lot of fun. A very good start of a vacation.

Cousins at Red Butte

Today was a beautiful day, and an especially beautiful day for gardening. The sun was out, but it was still cool. It had rained in the last couple of days so the soil was moist and perfect for plucking weeds. I was very content to have a few hours to weed, spread compost, transplant, and enjoy the day.

This afternoon we all went to Red Butte Garden. All of Melinda's siblings are in town visiting so our kids have their cousins to play with. Two of their cousins live in Texas and four of them live in Minnesota, so they don't get to see each other too often. They've really had fun playing together this last week.

Here's Grandma and Grandpa relaxing near the pond, enjoying watching their 10 grandchildren.

This bee is enjoying the nectar from this allium.

Miles took this picture of a stand of Golden Peas, Thermopsis montana.

Here are the cousins riding the moose. Only Asher and Miriam are missing, they were in the stroller.

The ducklings and goldfish are glad to be fed.

The kids loved feeding the ducks and the fish. Scott make sure that Saffron and Lili didn't fall in.

Red Butte Garden was beautiful and even more fun with family.

Tongan hymns

Tonight we walked across the street from Grandma's house over to the mortuary where they were having the viewing for Great Grandma Lena. The evening was warm, overcast and very peaceful. I held Saffron's hand and we could hear the bells chiming from the nearby Methodist church while we walked over.

Viewings always put me into a meditative mood. There is the sadness of loss, but also the happiness of being with family and those we love and the promise of Christ's redemption. And although Grandma Lena wasn't my grandma, but she is Melinda's grandma, and my children's great grandmother. We will all miss her and I will miss that my children won't be able to give her kisses anymore and she won't be there to tell them how beautiful they are and how much she loves them. But I'm so glad they could know her, and enjoy her for the last years of her life.

Their was a large group of Tongans seated in the back of the mortuary's chapel. They their green books and started to sing the hymns of Zion in their native tongue. It was beautiful. I was imagining how sublime those songs must have sounded on Tongatapu with the waves gently lapping the sand. Her missionary service with her husband and children in Tonga so many years ago haven't been forgotten.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52:7

I must say I had a hard time keeping my cheeks dry every time they sang.

After the viewing we all went back to Grandma's house. I loved seeing my kids play with their cousins. There seemed to be a little trepidation when they first saw each other, but it quickly faded away and they played with an ease and joy that only cousins have.

It was a windy day and in the evening the power went out. People were snacking the kitchen and chatting in the living room in the dark with flashlights and lanterns. Lisette seemed to think the dark made it more memorable.

We stayed up late chatting and enjoying each others company. Grandma will be happy knowing that her death her gave the family a reason to come together and affirm our love for each other, for her, and most of all for Jesus Christ.

Yeah for babies!

Today was a great baby day! Makenna came over to play with Saffron while her parents brought home her little sister from the hospital.


Here she is, beautiful little Hope! I was really glad they could stop by and we could see her. She's definitely a keeper. Makenna is going to be a lovely big sister.

We were also very excited to hear news of Zachary and Benjamin! Two beautiful baby boys. I got to talk to the proud papa, and even though the mama sounded pretty tired, they're going to make great parents! We're so happy for them.


This has been a great season for cousins! Three cousins in two weeks, and counting Miriam, our kids have four cousins in two months! Yeah for babies!