Boardman, Oregon

We were able to travel to Oregon to visit Markell and Andre and their family and see little Aika get blessed.  We were so glad to be able to be there for that special event.  It was a three hour drive for us.  A long three hour drive.  I think our mistake was telling the kids that it was not as far as Idaho Falls.  They assumed the drive was short and after about an hour were ready to get out.  We managed to make it safe and sound!  Leonard had been at scout camp and wasn’t going to come with us.  They ended up leaving camp early and he made it back just in time to throw a few things together and come with us.  It was great to have him along. 

Andre’s family was awesome and his mom, Sheila, served us a fantastic dinner.  The kids had a great time at their place.  They set up a pool and pulled out a HUGE tarp.  With a little dish soap, the tarp became a giant slip and slide.  The kids played for a couple hours in the water and had a great time.  Andre’s sister, Arianna, also took the girls on a horse ride. 

They were in heaven and now want a horse of their own.  

We then went to Hermiston and watched the parade they have to start the yearly fair.  Small towns are awesome because there aren’t any crazy parade rules.  Everyone throws candy – some were even giving away watermelons and cantaloupe!  Sheila joked that between all three kids I should have enough candy to pass out at Halloween.  Seriously….So…Much…Candy!!

Then we headed to the hotel where we stayed with Mom, Dad, and Jake.  Mom, Dad, Markell, and I  took the kids swimming while Andre, Leonard, and Jake went fishing.  All my kids loved the pool and we stayed there for awhile before we headed to our room for the night.  Everyone slept through the night – even Timberlyn—so that made it even better.

The next morning we went back to Boardman for Aika’s baby blessing.  She was given a beautiful blessing by her father and she looked so pretty in her white dress.   I stole this picture from Markell’s blog – I think she is so cute and this picture makes her look like Markell did as a baby.

She looks so much like Andre, that I was surprised to see this picture.  There must be some Fuller in there somewhere!

Here is the beautiful family after the blessing:

What a HAM!!

Thanks Mom and Dad for sharing your hotel room – it was perfectly huge!  Congratulations Markell and Andre and thanks for having us.  It was great to see you and be there for Aika’s blessing day!