While Big Boys Sleep

Today Avery and Carson fell asleep on the couch together.
How cute are they!

But just after they fell asleep, Emmett woke up from his nap, so instead
of getting any work done I had some nice one on one time with Emmett.

We stayed in Emmett's room to play, otherwise he'd just climb all over his brothers.

Denied his brothers, he tried to climb out his window.

I love how babies sit.
I love their little piggies sticking out.
I love Emmett's downy soft head.
I love his cute neck, I just want to kiss it!

Ooh, Mom has something interesting...

I think I better test its edibility.

Later, after ripping my necklace off, Emmett headed to do damage in our room.

More climbing necessary of course.

Then, it was past time his brothers should be awake, so I took Emmett to do the job. He tried,
he really did, but Carson was just too tired. Notice the drool? That whole shoulder was wet.

How nice it was to have some quiet time just with Emmett!

Heat Wave

Mon-Wed we had a heat wave here with temperatures at 103, 107 and 106. Each was a record for that day, but the all time record here is 108. I know that's not so terrible in some places, but in the northwest not everyone has air conditioning since the number of days over 90 is limited, so it can be a real issue. In fact, the longest streak of days at 90 or above in Salem is 8 and we only average 15 a year! Enough about weather stats (I'm a dork and find them interesting). Anyway, thankfully, we do have air conditioning!

You'd think of all days, those would be the ones I would keep the kids indoors for, yet in my ridiculous head I thought that was the time to set up their kiddie pool. Actually, our deck stays mostly shaded throughout the day, so it wasn't too bad, plus I think we're all still acclimated to the humidity of Milwaukee so we weren't nearly as bothered as I thought we would be.

The nice cool water didn't just draw the boys... it also drew the bugs! I don't recall seeing a red dragonfly around here before, but just as soon as I started filling the pool, this guy showed up and was a frequent, extended visitor all 3 days of the heat! The boys loved watching him.

They didn't love these visitors nearly as much:

This is just a funny shot because Carson was having some issue with his
belly (he probably got it wet - oh no!) when next thing I knew the boys
were comparing their bellies. Way to distract him from the issue Avery!

To The Coast We Go

On Saturday we went to the coast. First stop was lunch, then the Hatfield Marine Science Center because the kids just can't get enough of it.

Poster boy for the science center

Avery finally put his hand in the touch pools and felt this skate!


Some decoration on the touch pools


Emmett wants to touch!


Carson loves Nemo


Next stop, South Beach where it was a very foggy day, but surprisingly pleasant.

They were happy, even buried, honest!


Avery wriggled free, but felt no qualms in making sure Carson was still thoroughly buried


Then Avery buried Daddy. This picture was funny because Carson
decided to step in last minute, but didn't think he needed to look at me.


Fun Fun


Flying


My boys


Sadly, the afternoon didn't end to everyone's satisfaction




Emmett wasn't bothered though


While Daddy changed Carson, Avery played on these great wind-swept trees
>



Changed and newly happy, it was Carson's turn on the trees


Determined to climb over


One of the main reasons we went to the coast was actually for me
to get some photos for a project, so I figure I could share one here

Iconic Newport Bridge

When we stopped for pictures at the beginning of the day, it was much foggier (the main arch wasn't visable!), so I stuck to shots under the bridge. I'm glad it cleared enough by the end of the trip to actually get this shot!

Mouse!

Ew.

Hunsaker Family Reunion

click on any picture to enlarge!

It'll be 7 years this August that I'll have been a part of the Hunsaker family. Every other year there's a reunion, but with school being the priority these past years, last weekend was my first full fledged reunion (there was a mini day trip one to the coast right before we moved to Milwaukee, but I don't think that really gave the full impression.) Not that everyone makes it to any of the reunions. This year Travis and his cousin Josh were the only two grandkids of the eight in the Salem area to come.

The reunions are based on Travis' Grandma Fay and his now passed Grandpa Don, with their five kids being the heads of houses. Each head of house takes turns planning the reunion. In two years it'll be Travis' Dad's turn. This year the reunion was at Two Rivers Resort north of Davenport, WA.

One of the stops to fix some brake lights gave Avery and Damon a fun break.

Time for a cold boy to change into his pjs!

That same stop had this cool old wagon

That first day, Friday, it was 104 degrees! So we had some
needed fun on the rivers. Avery jumped in Damon's boat...

...while Carson and I went with Travis and his Dad in the little smokercraft

Sweet, cool relief

Time for some tubing!

I took Avery

After only those two runs on the tube, we were sidetracked by a great little beach we found.
Carson's not too into the water, so he played on the beach mostly

We tied the tube off to a log and the kids had fun floating out

The beach was so great, the guys went back and
got DeAnna, Emmett and Great Grandma Fay

Emmett loved the water, especially when we put
the life jacket on him and really took him swimming

From our little beach we could see this sand cliff

So Ben, Travis and Josh had to mark our territory

Back on land, Emmett was trouble. Between trying to eat everything on the
ground and his climbing antics, like trying to go down the motor home stairs...

...is it any wonder he spent most of his time here:

Avery sustained a dreadful, nearly fatal injury (badly scraped knees of course)

but he managed to live to make more trouble

And, because I love pictures of my kids, here are a few more from Friday evening :)

Saturday we revisited our beach. This time we brought out Tim and Ryanna and boys. Josh got
the giant tube patched and a few runs were managed on it, until Travis and I were on it for a bit
and the patch failed. We were hauled in smashed together in the middle of a giant V of plastic.

Sleeping

Awake. Quick, get him before he eats the sand!

These bees liked our beach too. I found a few on the
sand that I scooped and flung in the brush behind us

Sunday, time to go!

On the drive home, Mt. Hood was probably more
clear than I've ever seen it coming through the gorge.

We stopped at Bonneville Dam to give the kids a break.

Avery, Damon and Joel say hello to Herman

The view from above

Carson was asleep while we went to see Herman and thankfully didn't wake up until
right as we got back to the motor homes so Travis walked around a little with him.

What a crazy trip!