Cousins from Portland

Coleman and Aedan came to visit and we all had a fun time playing at the park on New Years Day.  We threw a Frisbee around a bit too, but Gage didn't quite get that he was supposed to throw it and didn't want to let go of it either.

Trip to Portland

Gage and I flew to Portland, Oregon for a few days to see my brother Andy and his boys, Coleman and Aedan. They made the move to Portland last year and we've really missed seeing them. It was so much fun to get to see their new place and be a part of their lives for a few days.



Gage enjoyed sitting with Coleman while they watched a nature show on the laptop.


Aedan was thoroughly entertained by my iPhone


Gage really liked Coleman & Aedan's pet rats


Monday night we all went to dinner at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant.



Coleman was quite creative and found a new mode of transportation for Gage- the almost 1 year old who refuses to crawl!


No need for a highchair, the sink works great for Gage.
Andy lives in a cool old home with a neat old fashioned kitchen.



On Tuesday night we had fun at the bowling alley watching Andy bowl with his league- "The Logjammers". We must have been good luck for Andy because that night he bowled his personal best!



Coleman and Aedan did a great job keeping Gage entertained





Tuesday was also Mardi Gras so the boys had fun collecting necklaces and crowns.








Both flights went well. Gage and I were lucky enough to have the entire row to ourselves both ways!



It was a lot of fun to go up to Portland to see Andy, Coleman & Aedan. We look forward to our next trip!

Karate Kids

We bought Coleman, Aedan, Alexis, Jeff, Tyler, Nathan, and Caleb ninja headbands while we were in Japan (Not that I've ever known a ninja that wore a headband, but it sure makes them sound cooler). We didn't think that Becca, Kate, Krystina, or Justin would be as interested, though it would be funny to see Krystina wear one of these to high school.

Unfortunately, we don't have a picture of Coleman and Aedan with their headbands since they moved (maybe Andy can take one and send it to us to post), but we are sure they look as formidable as their cousins.

Strike a ninja pose and enjoy!

Caleb is conjuring up a fireball - click to see it.

Tyler must have lost a leg in his last battle. Alexis must be driving the big ninja getaway van. Nathan is driving the mini ninja getaway car or using the power of the ninja Buddha. Jeff is about to baptize someone - ninja style. (This picture is from Alexis' birthday dinner at Anne and Tom's place. See Andy and Liz's blog for more on that.)

(We know we still need to post more about our trip to Japan - we're working on it.)